Is CBD Addictive? Here’s What You Should Know
CBD is a popular natural wellness supplement associated with a wide variety of highly desirable benefits. Many people find that CBD contributes something positive to the way they feel both mentally and physically. These benefits may sometimes be nearly instantaneous, but most people find that benefits become most pronounced with regular use of CBD.
This raises an important question. CBD is something you’re supposed to use on a daily basis. If you’re using something daily, you need to know that the supplement in question doesn’t have any addictive potential. It’s one thing to love the benefits you get from a supplement. It’s another thing to feel dependent on that supplement.
CBD is widely regarded as safe, and all research suggests that there is no risk of developing a dependency on CBD. Even if you use high doses of CBD multiple times a day, there does not appear to be any correlation between CBD and addiction.
Is CBD Addictive?
CBD has been extensively studied, particularly because it is the only cannabinoid approved by the FDA as a medication. CBD-based drugs like Epidiolex are used to manage seizures in patients with rare forms of epilepsy.
A drug containing CBD called Sativex has been approved for use in Canada and most of Europe for people living with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis as a treatment for managing symptoms.
The World Health Organization has evaluated CBD and all research associated with CBD. They found that there is no addictive or abusive potential associated with CBD and have also included the following note:
"To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems
associated with the use of pure CBD.To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD."
In medical circles, CBD is regarded as reasonably benign. It isn’t treated much differently than other over-the-counter wellness products like multivitamins or antioxidant supplements. The only potential harm from CBD is its ability to change the way the body absorbs and utilizes certain medications.
So, if you’re prescribed medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions with CBD before using CBD.
What’s Addictive About Cannabis?
It makes sense for many wellness-conscious people to have reservations about using CBD because of its most common source. CBD is often derived from hemp plants, which are cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
However, many people who are uncomfortable with using cannabis have reservations about using CBD due to its origins.
THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. It’s the compound that makes cannabis a “drug.” Although the risk of cannabis use disorder is fairly low, it’s still a possibility.
A study that followed nearly 750,000 cannabis users for a period of 15 years found that less than 2% of study participants experienced the cannabis-use disorder.
People who become dependent on THC often experience low mood and issues with sleep and appetite when they don’t use THC.
Not to mention, THC does not cause dependency in the same way drugs as opioids do. It is not inherently dangerous to stop using THC without medical supervision.
Even though the risks for developing an addiction to THC are significantly lower than the risk of developing a dependency on other drugs, many people would prefer not to take that risk at all.
People aren’t comfortable with the idea of ingesting a product that contains even trace amounts of a substance with mind-altering properties, especially if they’re only interested in the wellness benefits of CBD.
What CBD Does for the Body
CBD can deliver benefits to the body and mind without any impairment or risk of dependency. Although further research is needed to substantiate early findings, CBD has been clinically recognized for its ability to support many processes throughout the body.
CBD as an FDA Approved Seizure Medication
CBD’s only medically recognized use is to reduce seizures in patients living with rare seizure disorders. The use of CBD in the management of seizure frequency first drew the attention of the main stage when Charlotte Figi, a young girl suffering from thousands of uncontrollable seizures a week, found significant relief through the use of high CBD medical cannabis.
Although CBD is approved to treat seizure disorders, the tinctures or oil products people purchase over the counter are not. The only approved form of CBD is Epidiolex which cannot be obtained without a prescription from a doctor. If you have a seizure disorder, speak with your doctor before using CBD as part of your treatment plan.
CBD Improves Mood and Sleep Quality
Research shows that CBD is promising in its ability to promote a calm mood. CBD has been tested in individuals with anxiety disorders and sleep disorders. The majority of participants found that CBD improved their emotional state and promoted more restful sleep.
Out of the 72 participants evaluated for anxiety symptoms and difficulty sleeping, nearly 80% reported a reduction in symptoms associated with anxiety. More than 66% reported improved sleep quality.
More research is needed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn about CBD’s usefulness in managing mental health issues. Many people who live with these conditions are hopeful that CBD can become a non-habit-forming part of their treatment plans.
CBD May Ease Discomfort
Most of the studies on CBD and pain have been conducted on mice. Although mice showed positive outcomes, mice and humans are fundamentally very different.
One large study on CBD and pain was conducted in New Zealand, using 400 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of CBD for pain. Out of the 400 patients, 253 participants remained on board and compiled long enough for researchers to receive follow-up data post-completion. At the end of the study, patients self-reported that they experienced less pain.
Some people find that CBD eases discomfort by reducing their feelings of stress. Stress contributes to muscle tension throughout the body. By reducing feelings of stress, feelings of tension may also naturally de-escalate.
These results are promising, but they aren’t conclusive or definitive. CBD still needs to be clinically evaluated in non-inferiority trials, which are designed to determine whether or not a proposed treatment is as effective as other treatments that currently exist. There aren’t many head-to-head comparisons for CBD and other proven medical treatments for pain and inflammation.
CBD is Being Studied for Other Potential Benefits
Anecdotal reports and limited evidence suggest that CBD holds potential as an anti-inflammatory medication. It may provide support to the immune system and help suppress nausea, and it could be a valuable tool in managing symptoms of treatment.
These claims still require extensive research to substantiate. If you have concerns relating to these claims, speak to your doctor. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment.
If you wish to use CBD in conjunction with approved therapies, express your desire to your doctor. If your doctor feels that CBD would be a safe and appropriate addition to your wellness routine or treatment plan, you can use it in conjunction with proven treatments.
Our CBD Contains Zero THC
If you’re interested in the potential benefits of CBD but are uncomfortable with or unable to use THC, Peels has the perfect solution. We’ve created bioidentical CBD from the naturally occurring compounds in orange peels. Your body won’t know the difference between orange-derived CBD and hemp-derived CBD. It’s structurally identical, and it works exactly the same way.
Oranges do not contain any THC, and therefore, Peels does not contain any THC. This eliminates any risk of intoxication or abuse potential. You should only use products you’re truly comfortable with, and if eliminating THC from the equation makes you feel better about using CBD, that’s exactly what you should do.
Like with any CBD product, Peels should become a part of your daily ritual. It takes about 30 days to experience the benefits of CBD wellness. Wake up, use your Peels, have your matcha latte or your cold brew, make a nutritious breakfast, and start your day in a way that satisfies your soul.
Sources:
CANNABIDIOL (CBD) | World Health Organization
Drug Trials Snapshots: Epidiolex | FDA
Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series | National Institutes of Health