Drug addiction is among the leading reasons for death at a global level. Treating substance use disorder is easier said than done since people with the condition also experience mental health issues. As per some recent pieces of research, cannabidiol may assist in dealing with the issue. For the uninitiated, cannabidiol is an active phytocannabinoid compound in industrial hemp and marijuana. CBD’s many therapeutic properties can be useful in treating mental and physical health issues. Here, we will discuss the potential advantages of utilizing cannabidiol as a drug addiction treatment option.
Cannabidiol For Substance Use Disorder
As said earlier, cannabidiol can help people with many health issues. Lately, scientists have found that cannabidiol could treat alcohol and drug addiction. It is thought that cannabidiol might aid in bringing down the anxiety and stress levels related to substance abuse, thereby alleviating drug relapse risks. Research has demonstrated that cannabidiol might affect the areas of the human brain that play a role in drug craving behavior.
As per a study from the recent past, cannabidiol has the capability of reducing cravings in individuals addicted to heroin. The study observed 42 men and women with a heroin addiction history. The participants of the recent study were shown one video of substances and another of natural scenes to trigger their drug cravings. Those 42 people were put in 3 different groups, where one group received 400 milligrams of cannabidiol, another got 800 milligrams of CBD and the other got a placebo. For the uninitiated, the term placebo refers to an item that appears to be an actual treatment option, but is not.
Those participants experienced more drug cravings after watching the substance-related videos, as expected. At the same time, it was discovered that those who received that placebo option had more drug cravings as compared to the ones with a dosage of cannabidiol. The results have also demonstrated a considerable reduction in heart rates, cortisol levels and anxiety levels in the CBD group in the study time.
Final Thoughts
Cannabidiol is usually regarded as safe since it is not an intoxicating substance. That said, before using cannabidiol for drug addiction, be sure to choose a cannabidiol product with only up to 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol. To help ensure that, look for products derived from hemp plants grown in the United States of America.
