A recent study conducted by Washington State University (WSU) suggests that CBD may impede nicotine metabolism, potentially helping to curb cigarette smoking. The study, called “Inhibition of Nicotine Metabolism by Cannabidiol (CBD) and 7-Hydroxycannabidiol (7-OH-CBD),” used human liver tissue and cell samples to investigate the effects of CBD on nicotine metabolism.
Nicotine is the primary addictive substance in tobacco smoke, but it’s not the only harmful component. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 carcinogens. By slowing down nicotine metabolism, CBD could help smokers wait longer before they need to inhale more smoke, reducing their overall exposure to these harmful chemicals.
The researchers found that CBD inhibited a key enzyme for nicotine metabolism, called CYP2A6. This enzyme metabolizes more than 70% of nicotine in smokers. CBD inhibited the activity of CYP2A6 by 50%, indicating that even small doses of CBD could have a significant impact on nicotine metabolism.
Philip Lazarus, Senior Author and WSU Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, says that the mission of the study is to decrease harm from smoking: “If we can minimize that harm, it would be a great thing for human health.” Lazarus and his team are now conducting a clinical study to measure participants’ nicotine levels in their blood between six and eight hours after taking CBD.
While CBD’s potential benefits for smoking cessation are promising, some smokers are turning to cannabis consumption instead. According to a Gallup Consumption Survey published in August last year, only 11% of Americans identified as cigarette smokers, while 16% identified as cannabis consumers. The percentage of cigarette smokers is at its lowest level since Gallup began asking the questions in the 1940s.
Legislators in some states are even introducing bills to ban tobacco completely. Assembly Bill 935, recently introduced by Assemblymembers Damon Connolly and Evan Low in California, would ban tobacco products for anyone born after Jan. 1, 2007.
The study’s findings suggest that CBD may be a useful tool in helping smokers quit or reduce their cigarette consumption. However, further research is needed to fully understand how CBD affects nicotine metabolism and addiction. Lazarus and his team hope to expand their research efforts to examine CBD and nicotine addiction on a larger scale.
In conclusion, this recent study conducted by WSU provides promising evidence that CBD may have potential benefits for smoking cessation by inhibiting nicotine metabolism. However, more research is needed to fully understand how CBD affects nicotine addiction and how it can be used as a tool for smoking cessation.
