In many instances, cannabis and its components may be thought of as drugs of abuse. However, a growing number of biomedical studies have indicated that compounds of the plant, including CBD, may prove helpful players in treating tobacco addiction. Although a typically unlikely pairing, those seeking to quit their smoking habits may consider the aid of CBD in their efforts. If this is of interest to help you or those you love, continue reading to see just how CBD can put smoking habits to rest.
The Trickiness of Tobacco
In reports from the World Health Organization, tobacco is known to contain more than 7,000 chemical substances, 250 of which have proven harmful to individual health, and more than 70 have been correlated to causing cancer. Simply put, it is no secret that smoking tobacco is dangerous to human health. Some medical repercussions include: shortness of breath, respiratory infections, obstructive pulmonary disease, heart attacks, strokes, infertility, and many more. If anyone needed a sign to put their tobacco habits to rest, this is it.
As with most things, however, quitting smoking is far easier said than done. According to the American Cancer Society, only 4-7% of people are able to quit smoking without the help of outside medical resources. Furthermore, only 25% of individuals who are able to quit with medical assistance remain smoke-free for 6 months. In taking this information into account, it can be noted that the path to quitting smoking is not linear. As with most journeys in life, the road is winding. However, with the help of CBD, the end may be in sight.
How Using CBD To Stop Smoking May Work For You
Although this correlation between CBD and tobacco addiction is relatively new, studies have shown promising evidence that one helps the other. In a pilot clinical study, the effectiveness of CBD was paired against a placebo in treating tobacco reliance. In conducting the study as double blind—meaning both the participants and researchers were unaware of who was receiving what treatment—randomized, and placebo controlled, the results yield trustworthy correlations between the issues at hand. The study included 24 subjects, each of whom smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day. The participants were given an inhaler to use whenever they felt the urge to smoke. 6 participants received an inhaler containing CBD, while the remaining 6 received a placebo. Over the course of a week, the participants used the inhalers to fight their smoking habits and record whenever they felt the urge or had anxiety over the use of tobacco.
After 21 days of following the study, interviews conducted on the participants yielded promising results. After a week of treatment, cigarette consumption dropped by 40% in the group of participants receiving CBD infused inhalers. Although those using the placebo reported a declined urge in smoking as well, their habits quickly returned to normal within the 21 day post-period. Therefore, a direct correlation between CBD and tobacco use can be drawn from this study, as it proves that long-term reduction in smoking is made possible by the use of CBD.
The Takeaways
Although the evidence between CBD and tobacco use is preliminary, the studies conducted thus far show an encouraging correlation between the two. If looking to seek CBD as an aid in smoking reduction efforts, conducting your own personal research on the matter is important. With that being said, CBD does appear to be a viable option for smokers to consider. With less addictive and more natural properties, it can provide the same relieving efforts as tobacco, without the surmountable risks to your health.