Can CBD Oil be Addictive?

Research Outcomes

Cannabidiol is having a prime moment in the cannabis community. Whether it is a water-soluble drink concentrate or infused in gummies, CBD is showing up in everything you can imagine. According to WHO, CBD is a well-tolerated and safe cannabinoid like THC.

But Is CBD oil addictive?

CBD is an active cannabinoid of the cannabis plant, also taking over the beauty industry. From skin creams to lotion, CBD products are cropping up everywhere. Researchers and healthcare professionals are trying to explore the potential health benefits of CBD.

Unlike its counterpart, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not have psychoactive effects. However, people may wonder whether CBD is addictive or not.

In this article, we discuss what the research says about the addictive potential of CBD.

Is CBD Addictive?

There is a growing number of evidence that shows the benefits of CBD. But many people still have questions about CBD use, most significantly: Can I get addicted to CBD oil?

CBD itself does not appear to be addictive. It is because CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating. According to the 2017 Pre-Review Report, CBD is well-controlled and not associated with abuse potential.

CBD is not only non-addictive but can also be used to treat drug addiction and counteract the euphoric effects of THC.

Preliminary shreds of evidence about CBD suggest that it can lower the likelihood of developing cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder. It may help prevent relapse after a period of detoxification and sobriety.

In a 2015 review, the author states that CBD may also help treat nicotine and cannabis addiction.

CBD Effects

As stated earlier, CBD does not cause high and stoned effects associated with THC. That is why CBD is the most researched alternative treatment for epileptic seizures.

Reduce Epileptic Seizures
A clinical trial study in 2018 reported that two-thirds of participants experienced a 25% reduction in seizure frequency while using CBD.

Moreover, Food and Drug Administration – FDA approved Epidolex, the pure CBD anti-seizure treatment. However, FDA-approved Epidolex for rare forms of epilepsy, including:

Dravet syndrome
Lennox-Gastuaut Syndrome

People with both Dravet and Lennox-Gastuaut syndrome can reduce seizure symptoms by incorporating CBD with other medications.

Might reduce anxiety
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD might be effective for reducing anxiety. During a study, researchers examined CBD’s effects on 72 adults with anxiety and sleep problems. Within the first month of treatment, 79.2% of participants reported reduced anxiety symptoms, and 66.7% reported improved sleep quality.

Another study in 2017 reports that 60 adults with no history of mental illness received 100, 300, and 900 mg CBD dosage before giving a speech. Those who received a 300 mg CBD dosage experienced significantly reduced social anxiety during public speaking.

The anxiolytic effects of CBD oil can alleviate anxiety symptoms by reducing stress.

CBD and Addiction

CBD does not produce a psychoactive buzz associated with THC. Unlike THC, CBD does not impair psychological functions or motor skills, nor does it change the blood pressure, body temperature, or heart rate.

Despite CBD’s growing popularity, recognition, and acceptance as a potentially beneficial supplement, people still debate the addictive nature of cannabinoids. However, there is plenty of CBD products in the market, from CBD capsules, oils to salves. However, people are still concerned about the short-term and long-term effects of CBD oil.

You might be thinking about what the primary concern of people is? Potential drug dependency, addiction, and the development of psychotic illness. This ties into the way cannabinoids work in your body.

Typically, both CBD & THC cannabinoids interact with CB1 & CB2 receptors in the brain. Both these receptors are part of a vast network of neurotransmitters linked to the endocannabinoid system. You might be acquainted that THC can cause drug dependency and worry about what it means for CBD use. After all, numerous CBD products contain some THC, so the question remains: can you get addicted to CBD?

The short & simple answer is no. At the molecular level, CBD is neither addictive nor does it produce the so-called stoned effect that THC does. CBD does not cause drug dependency and addiction. CBD is well-tolerated and safe cannabinoids to use. However, CBD oil with high THC content can cause euphoric effects. If you are more concerned about drug addiction, be careful about your CBD sourcing.

Before asking, whether CBD oil is addictive, examine a precursory question, where does CBD come from. The classification of cannabis that produces CBD are:

Hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% of THC, while marijuana plants carry high THC content.

CBD Could Fight to Help Addiction?

CBD help combat the adverse effects of THC, such as cannabis withdrawal symptoms. According to a report from the National Library of Medicine, a 19-year girl was administrated to CBD for ten days she experiences a reduction in withdrawal symptoms.

Another study, conducted in 2010 and published in Neuropsychopharmacology, examined a total of 94 cannabis users to see what role CBD-to-THC ratios played in reinforcing the effects of drugs and implicit attentional bias drug stimuli. Compared with smokers of low-CBD strains, the study found that smokers of high-CBD showed reduced attentional bias to drug and food stimuli, as well as lower self-rated liking of cannabis stimuli. The research team concluded “CBD has potential as a treatment for cannabis dependence” and could offer a potential treatment for other addictive disorders.

The Bottom Line

While chronic cannabis use may increase the risk of dependence, CBD alone does not appear to have the potential for addiction or abuse.

Preliminary evidence suggests that CBD may help treat substance use disorder. Research is still ongoing to dig deep into the long-term effects of CBD. However, studies indicate that CBD is an effective treatment for rare, severe forms of childhood epilepsy. Current evidence also suggests CBD may help reduce anxiety and chronic pain. Researchers need to carry out large-scale, high-quality clinical trials to investigate the potential medical applications of CBD.