If you’re seeking to reduce or quit nicotine use altogether, or even just reduce it gradually, there are numerous alternatives out there to consider. One such alternative is CBD; many people enjoy adding this herbal medicine into their everyday tobacco use such as cigarettes, vape pens or pouches and it may actually assist with nicotine cessation (though this claim has yet to be supported by solid research). In this article we’ll review what we know so far regarding this subject and help you decide whether CBD and nicotine combinations might work or not.
Nicotine and Tobacco
Nicotine is a naturally-occurring compound found in plants belonging to the Solanaceae family, most notably tobacco. Nicotine can be highly addictive, leading to addiction, heart disease and certain cancers – although there are ways around these negative side effects through products like e-cigarettes or nicotine gum that provide all of its benefits without suffering the negative side effects. Nicotine may also be taken by inhalers or patches; and comes in various flavors!
CBD is All Natural
CBD, unlike nicotine, is an all-natural compound without addictive properties. Studies have demonstrated its ability to relieve anxiety, stress and depression symptoms as well as acting as a sleep aid. CBD appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain responsible for producing dopamine and serotonin; two neurotransmitters that produce feelings of reward and wellbeing.
CBD may help reduce drug cravings, though the exact mechanism remains unknown. According to Hurd’s previous research, it appears that CBD can normalize changes in neural signaling that occur in heroin addicts’ brains; hence its proposed use as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder.
Benefits of CBD
CBD’s potential benefits have garnered much interest, yet it should be kept in perspective that this substance is still relatively novel. Although currently prescribed in pill form to treat epilepsy seizures, research is also ongoing into its efficacy in treating cancer, schizophrenia, cognitive impairment and Parkinson’s disease.
CBD has many therapeutic applications, as well as beneficial cardiovascular effects that have been documented. CBD can reduce heart disease risk by lowering blood pressure and improving vascular function, and can also assist with pain management, inflammation conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and dystonia. When seeking high-quality CBD products it’s essential not to mix them with nicotine products, since nicotine has numerous adverse side effects including nausea, irritability and increased thoughts or behaviors related to suicide.