The potential of CBD to help people reduce their nicotine cravings and quit smoking is an exciting development, especially given the numerous studies that have already demonstrated its harm reduction capabilities. A new study published in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology was funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and focused on the effects of CBD on nicotine metabolism.
The research team at Washington State University (WSU) looked at the effects of the non-intoxicating cannabinoid on the metabolism of nicotine, which is the main addictive component of tobacco. The study found that relatively low doses of CBD significantly inhibited a key enzyme associated with the processing of nicotine in the body, which could stave off cravings.
The researchers used liver tissue and microsomes derived from specialized cell lines to study how CBD interacted with enzymes that metabolize nicotine. They found that CBD inhibited the relevant enzymes by 50 percent, even when administered at low doses. Philip Lazarus, senior author of the study, noted that this indicates “you don’t need much CBD to see the effect”.
The researchers further concluded that these findings suggest that cannabinoids could be effective agents for tobacco cessation therapy, as they interfere with nicotine metabolism and may reduce cravings for cigarettes. As such, their results show promise in terms of helping smokers to quit and suggesting that CBD could be a viable harm reduction tool for those who are struggling to give up tobacco.
However, it is important to note that further research involving human subjects is needed before any strong conclusions can be made about the efficacy of using CBD as a smoking cessation aid. More studies into these effects must be carried out before any definitive recommendations can be made about incorporating CBD into smoking cessation treatments or recommending it as an alternative option for those trying to quit.
Ultimately, this new research indicates potential for CBD to reduce cravings and help people quit smoking tobacco products. If properly developed, this could potentially provide an additional tool in our fight against smoking-related diseases and illnesses, thus improving public health outcomes around the world.
