For many years, experts have been debating over the effectiveness of the medical use of cannabinoids and marijuana. One prevalent topic that comes up is its effect on addiction treatment. What do studies have to say when it comes to the use of CBD in treating addiction?

CBD and Substance Addiction

People with substance addiction are vulnerable to relapse from drug cues, stress, and anxiety. As the number of people with drug addiction rises, one may wonder if there are undiscovered therapeutic treatments to resolve the condition.

Many types of research have found that Cannabidiol (CBD) has been effective in reducing epilepsy seizures. Aside from being non-addictive in its purest form, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. With these attributes, experts are investigating CBD’s potential when it comes to being a therapeutic drug as an addiction treatment.

However, there are still a lot of concerns revolving around its short-term and long-term effects. Many worries that it can cause potential drug dependency for patients with addiction.

CBD’s Mechanism

While there are a lot of efforts in CBD research, its complete mechanism remains to be unknown. It’s different from marijuana as its intake does not result in a feeling of “highness.” It is because it does not attach to the receptors CB1 and CB2 in the brain.

CBD sticks to the brain receptors to inhibit the endocannabinoid system. This system’s functions, which have receptors all over the brain and body, include mood regulation, pain sensation, and memory.

The Current State of Substance Addiction Treatment

Currently, no proven medications and treatments can “cure” addiction. The only available treatment for addiction only has temporary effects for patients. It is due to these substances having an addictive element in itself. In most cases, therapy and rehabilitation are used as an intervention.

Typically, the issues that may arise as an effect of the drugs include depression and sleep disorders. In this case, patients are prescribed medication specific to those conditions, not for addiction per se. This is where CBD’s potential comes in as it does not have that addictive property in its mechanism.

CBD’s Role in Addiction Treatment

With its functions, CBD is continuously being studied as a potential treatment for drug and alcohol disorders. Its pharmacotherapeutic function is especially relevant in relapse prevention for drug addict patients. It is because it reduces anxiety and stress, resulting from the effects of using drugs. Moreover, it also helps in preventing drug craving and triggering behaviors as an effect of drug use.

However, various preclinical research and studies have resulted in different outcomes due to differences in methodology. Most preclinical trials have been performed on animals, and the human studies have been only limited. Furthermore, the limited clinical trials on humans have not been performed in the long-term. Hence, at this time, it is still difficult to say and evaluate the long-term effects of CBD intervention.

Right now, we need further research on CBD before people can fully use it to treat drug addiction. Although it has promising potential, it remains in treating addiction without a reliable study about its effects.

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