Could CBD Help You Quit Smoking Tobacco Cigarettes for Good?

Any smoker who tried quitting before will be able to tell you how notoriously difficult it is. Nicotine addiction, causing strong cravings, makes breaking a tobacco habit challenging for even the most determined individuals. But there's some good news: Science now revealed interesting effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on addiction, and some studies suggest that CBD may help smokers in their journey to quit. The natural compound that can be found in the hemp plant seems to help reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and potentially alter how the brain responds to nicotine cues.

In this article, we explore the potential of CBD for smoking cessation, summarizing a recent clinical trial that found CBD significantly reduced cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers. Could CBD really be the tool to help combat the effects of nicotine withdrawal, and help people stop smoking? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Nicotine Addiction: Why Is It So Hard to Quit Smoking?

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances we know. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, nicotine rapidly reaches the brain, where it binds to receptors that release dopamine, reinforcing the rewarding effects of nicotine - making us come back for more. Over time, this leads to dependence, with the body expecting nicotine just to maintain baseline normal function.

That's why attempting to quit smoking often brings intense withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and of course strong nicotine cravings. Current treatments like nicotine gum, patches, and behavioral therapy offer support, but success rates often remain pretty modest. That's why researchers are now investigating how CBD might help in smoking cessation.

How CBD Can Help with Nicotine Tobacco Addiction

CBD is a non-psychotropic compound that can be extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant. It doesn't get you "high" like its famous cousin THC. Instead, the effects of CBD are increasingly studied for their benefits, stemming from its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex network spread throughout the human body and plays a role in regulating mood, stress response, reward, and other functions that are key factors in nicotine addiction. By interacting with ECS receptors, CBD may affect the brain’s response to nicotine cues and reduce the cravings that often drive us to smoking tobacco.

That's why researchers were interested to find out whether CBD could reduce cigarette consumption, and examine the effectiveness of CBD on nicotine addiction. 

A Groundbreaking Study: CBD Significantly Reduced Cigarette Consumption

Let's look at a groundbreaking double-blind, placebo-controlled study that involved 24 tobacco smokers attempting to quit. The participants were given either a placebo or an 800 mg dose of CBD to use in an inhaler whenever they felt the urge to smoke. Over the course of a week, the CBD group showed a remarkable 40% reduction in cigarette consumption compared to the placebo group, who showed no significant change.

The study undoubtedly showed that CBD could help with nicotine cravings and reduce the number of cigarettes smoked. While this was a small sample size, it still indicates that CBD may offer support for smokers who want to quit by potentially reducing the rewarding effects of nicotine.

How CBD Could Help You Quit Smoking

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can derail all attempts to quit smoking. Anxiety and irritability, especially in social situations, often prompt people to return to their bad smoking habit. It's precisely these symptoms that CBD could help to alleviate with its anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) properties.

In addition to reducing anxiety, CBD might also impact how the brain processes cravings, specifically by affecting the so-called "attentional bias" to cigarette cues. Attentional bias refers to the tendency of smokers to focus intensely on smoking cues, such as seeing a cigarette or being in a place where they used to smoke. This bias can make cravings even harder to resist. Research shows that CBD could reduce this attentional bias, helping the body resist urges to smoke.

The Benefits of CBD in Nicotine Metabolism and Rewarding Effects

Nicotine metabolism plays a big role in addiction. Some people metabolize nicotine faster than others, which is increasing their dependence on tobacco. Now, CBD has been shown to inhibit certain enzymes involved in this metabolism of nicotine, potentially reducing the addictive driver of cigarette smoking.

By influencing how nicotine is processed in the body, CBD may help slow down cravings, making it easier for smokers to cut back. Additionally, CBD’s potential impact on dopamine release could weaken the rewarding effects of nicotine, reducing the urge to smoke without intensifying withdrawal symptoms.

Using CBD Products for Smoking Cessation: Options for Support

If you’re now considering using CBD to quit smoking, you'll be glad to hear that there are various products available. CBD gummies, oils, capsules, and vapes provide different ways to use CBD, making it easy to integrate it into a daily routine. Some people find that CBD gummies help reduce cravings by offering a simple, discreet way to consume CBD, while others prefer vapes that let them continue the physical and social habit of smoking while cutting out the nicotine.

A low dose of CBD, such as 25-50 mg, may offer benefits for mild cravings and anxiety. However, the study we discussed in this article suggests that higher doses, such as 800 mg of CBD, could provide more robust support in reducing cigarette consumption. It’s essential to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the best dose of CBD and assess whether CBD could be an effective option to help you quit smoking.

What We Still Need to Learn About CBD and Smoking Cessation

While the initial studies are promising, it’s important to note that the research on the benefits of CBD is still in its early stages. Current studies usually involve a small sample size and only provide a short-term observation. Larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm CBD’s effectiveness in quitting smoking for good.

Furthermore, it's important to keep in mind that while CBD may reduce cravings, it’s not a magic cure. People trying to quit smoking should still consider combining CBD use with other methods, such as counseling, behavioral therapy, or even nicotine replacement options. 

Conclusion: Could CBD Help People Quit Smoking for Good?

While the research on CBD and smoking is still developing, it already suggests that CBD may offer a promising tool for people trying to quit smoking. Studies show that CBD could help reduce cravings for nicotine, decrease cigarette consumption, and potentially ease the anxiety associated with withdrawal.

While more research is needed to conclude that CBD can help people quit smoking entirely, these findings certainly offer a hopeful outlook for those struggling to overcome nicotine addiction. CBD’s unique effects on the endocannabinoid system and its potential to reduce the attentional bias to cigarette cues make it a fascinating area of study.

As always, if you’re considering using CBD to help quit smoking, look for high-quality CBD products, including gummies, oils, and vapes. Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Morgan CJ, Das RK, Joye A, Curran HV, Kamboj SK. Cannabidiol reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers: preliminary findings. Addict Behav. 2013 Sep;38(9):2433-6.