By Studies and data show that THC-containing cannabis use tends to help people reduce or eliminate opioid use, generally for symptom management when cannabis serves as a suitable substitute. is confirming. However, CBD may play an important role in the conversation.New preclinical data published in the journal Addiction neuroscience suggested that cannabinoids may have the potential to reduce opioid cravings in rats. To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study of the behavioral and physiological effects of inhaled vapor from a high-CBD whole plant cannabis (hemp) extract.
Controlling opioid use in rats
Researchers at Washington State University and the Legacy Institute in Portland specifically studied the efficacy and safety profile of vaporized CBD in a cohort of female rats. CBD’s role in these effects is “poorly defined,” pointing to the “potential to attenuate and enhance tolerance” of CBD-rich whole plant extracts (WPEs). increase. Morphine antinociception has not been characterized. ”
They also pointed out the need for further research on WPE products given that millions of people around the world consume WPE products.
The researchers further noted that many previous studies relied primarily on male subjects, suggesting that women have a higher prevalence of chronic pain and consume more CBD products than men. This is a concern considering that they consume more and are more vulnerable to opioid abuse and withdrawal.
Researchers see CBD’s many potential therapeutic uses, that its effects can vary depending on the pain state, and that chronic pain products in the endocannabinoid system, a brain region important for pain processing. I am citing the adaptation of
“Therefore, it is important to conduct systematic studies on the antinociceptive effects of high-CBD WPE and their health implications in the context of persistent pain and long-term drug administration,” said the researchers.
This study used WPE with 64.2% CBD and 7.1% THC and a placebo (propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin).
Promising results and need for further investigation
Researchers have examined a number of results in rats exposed to WPE vapors. Upon measuring the psychoactivity of WPE vapor, the researchers found no difference in cognitive function and no significant difference in social behavior between WPE-treated rats and control rats. There were no differences in lung morphometry in WPE-exposed rats, and WPE did not affect motivation to engage in drug-seeking behavior.
This study also observed whether acute WPE inhalation could reduce morphine self-administration in analgesic rats.
The authors conclude, “The ability of WPE to reduce opioid reward and drug-seeking behavior appears to be highly robust and clinically highly useful.” They also noted that “the presence of neuropathic pain in females reduced opioid-seeking behavior,” unlike previous studies in male rats with inflammatory pain.
Given the (roughly) 10:1 CBD:THC ratio, the researchers also concluded that some of the observations could be due to the interaction of CBD and THC.
Ultimately, the researchers said, the results suggest that inhaled high-CBD WPEs “have moderate anti-allodynic effects,” or combat pain caused by stimuli that don’t normally induce pain. They supported the hypothesis that THC is the primary analgesic component of inhaled cannabis, even though WPE appears promising in reducing opioid use and drug-seeking behavior. He then added:
“With its promising safety profile and lack of reinforcing effects compared to the standard vehicle used in most vapor administration studies, WPE is a more suitable, clinically relevant control vehicle for future vapor administration studies. It could also be a drug,” they said. Looking ahead, the researchers proposed additional systematic studies to fully evaluate CBD’s potential as an adjunctive treatment for opioid use disorders.
CBD and Addiction: Adding to Previous Research
While this topic may need more attention, previous research has indeed confirmed that CBD may suppress opioid use.
In one 2019 study, participants were given a daily dose of CBD for three consecutive days and then exposed to a drug cue designed to stimulate a physiological response to addiction. The study found that “acute CBD administration significantly reduced both craving and anxiety induced by presentation of salient drug cues compared to neutral cues, as opposed to placebo.” Not only that, but the effects lasted for 7 days after the final CBD exposure.
CBD may also have potential when it comes to addiction in general.one 2013 survey found that inhaling CBD significantly reduced a smoker’s craving for cigarettes. When they used a CBD inhaler and a placebo and were instructed to use the inhaler when they felt the urge to smoke, placebo-treated smokers showed no difference in the number of cigarettes they smoked. People treated with CBD reduced the number of cigarettes smoked during treatment by about 40%.
a 2022 Review It also notes that CBD may play a role in alleviating opioid withdrawal symptoms.
“Increasing evidence suggests that CBD may reduce anxiety, pain and insomnia, and may also signal a reduction in cravings, nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms and blood pressure.” the authors report. “These clinical manifestations are commonly observed. [opioid use disorder] This indicates that CBD may be added to standard opioid detoxification regimens, potentially easing acute withdrawal-related symptoms and lingering withdrawal symptoms. ”
