Can CBD Help With Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms?
While smoking nicotine cigarettes and chewing tobacco isn’t as popular as it once was, many people still find themselves trying, and failing, to kick the habit. Quitting nicotine is still a monumental struggle for millions of people, even with the hundreds of products on the market promising to stop nicotine addiction in its tracks. This is mainly thanks to extremely unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Clearly, another solution is needed to curb the habit. And thanks to new studies, CBD may be just the solution needed. But how can CBD help with nicotine withdrawal symptoms?
What Are Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms?
When somebody gets into the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco, their brain and body get used to the nicotine and the nicotine receptors in the brain increase. When they stop, the brain and body will crave nicotine, leading to withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can start within 30 minutes after they last used nicotine and are at their worst the second or third day after quitting. Withdrawal symptoms vary among people, depending on how long and how much nicotine they use.
Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Craving Nicotine
- Headaches
- Sore Throat
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Coughing
- Weight Gain
These are just a few of the most common withdrawal symptoms, but there are many more. With such a long list of horrible symptoms, it’s no wonder so many people resume the habit again. Ask any smoker who has tried but failed to quit smoking why they couldn’t stop, and they’ll most likely admit that the withdrawal symptoms were just too difficult to deal with.
Luckily, there are ways to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
How to Beat Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
Before you quit smoking, it is best to speak with your doctor. They may know which products would be best for you, or if there are any you need to avoid due to medication you are already taking or any health conditions you may have. They may also prescribe medication for you. There are various medications doctors prescribe to help patients with their nicotine addiction, many of which actually help. However, there are also over-the-counter medications available and even natural remedies you can try.
Natural remedies that can help with nicotine withdrawal symptoms:
- Hypnotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
- Black Pepper
- Exercise
- CBD
- Drinking Water
- Well-balanced Diet
- Reducing Caffeine
Can CBD Help With Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms?
While many who don’t understand CBD will argue that using CBD to combat nicotine addiction is just swapping one addictive substance with another, this is not true. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) has no psychoactive compounds, which means you can’t get intoxicated by it. And even if the CBD you use contains traces of THC, the amount is so tiny that it won’t make a difference to you.
Several studies show that CBD may be an effective way to cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and may even be a better option than medication currently used. CBD is much safer than medication prescribed to nicotine addicts and has minimal side effects.
CBD helps relieve many of the withdrawal symptoms people quitting nicotine may suffer by altering the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. Besides simply reducing the craving for nicotine, CBD also helps relieve stress, combat insomnia and help lower blood pressure, all of which are symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
To understand how CBD relieves cravings, you need to know what nicotine does to your body first. You may feel good after smoking a cigarette or chewing tobacco, but the effect doesn’t last long as the nicotine has impacted your body. When you consume nicotine, your central nervous system cannot produce the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine (also known as happy hormones), which means you will crave more nicotine to replace them. This leads to addiction and a vicious cycle. If you don’t get your nicotine fix, you feel anxious.
This is where CBD saves the day by restoring the production of these neurotransmitters, thereby reversing the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and your craving for nicotine.
While anecdotal evidence and a number of studies show that CBD can help relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms, many more studies need to be done as CBD research is still in its infancy. However, studies are showing promising results.
Which CBD Products Can Help?
If you are interested in using CBD to give up nicotine, there are so many options. There are many ways you can take CBD. It all depends on your personal preference.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is possibly the most popular form of CBD. The oil comes in a dropper bottle, and you simply put a few drops under your tongue. One of our favourite CBD oils at the moment is the Cali Greens 1500 mg CBD Oral Drops.
CBD Edibles
However, if the nutty, earthy taste of CBD isn’t to your liking, you can consume it in the form of gummies. A delicious tub of gummies such as Canndid Candies – CBD Gummies is perfect for both newcomers and CBD veterans. However, don’t let the delicious taste fool you. It contains all the benefits you expect from a CBD product.
CBD Capsules
Another way to avoid the taste of CBD if you are not a fan is by taking CBD capsules. Just like any other vitamin or capsule you take, you simply swallow it with some water. The Huna Labs 10 mg CBD Soft Capsules is especially popular as it goes down the throat smoothly with zero taste.
CBD Vapes
Many former smokers find that vaping CBD works best for them, as it mimics the action of smoking a cigarette. CBD vaping oil and e-liquid such as the Dr Watson 600 mg CBD Vaping Liquid are a firm favourite.
However, there have been instances where vaping has caused lung complications, so first consult with your doctor whether vaping CBD is suitable for you.
CBD Drinks
A relatively new concept, CBD drinks are quickly becoming popular among the CBD community, with products such as Canndid CBD Hot Chocolate becoming the preferred way to consume CBD. Comforting, tasty, and with all the benefits of CBD. What more could you ask for?
Things to Consider
Before buying the first CBD product you come across, make sure you buy from a reputable company or brand that is safe and stays within legal limits, such as the ones we sell at CBD Village. All our products are third-party lab-tested products, so you know exactly what you are getting and what ingredients each product contains.
Nicotine is unhealthy and highly addictive. However, as can be seen from above, it is possible to kick the habit if you have the right help from something like CBD. Give CBD a try and see if it helps you. Just remember to consult with your doctor before starting or quitting anything. Good luck.