Research has shown that CBD has many potential health benefits.
While most people use CBD to help with pain, anxiety, and sleep, there’s also evidence that it can help you detox from alcohol and various drugs. Researchers believe that CBD can help by influencing the brain circuits involved in addiction.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of drug detoxing, withdrawal, and explain how CBD can help.
What’s A Drug Detox?
Detoxification or detox for short is the process of cleansing your body from drugs or alcohol. The goal of detoxing is to stop relying on the drug to function.
When you become dependent on drugs or alcohol, your body adapts to their presence. That’s why detoxing from drugs leads to withdrawal symptoms.
Everyone’s detox experience is different because it depends on the specific drug, how long you’ve been using it, genetic differences, medical conditions, and other factors.
Drug Withdrawal
Although withdrawal symptoms vary based on the drug, common ones include:
- Anxiety
- Disturbed sleep
- Sweating
- Tremor
- Seizures
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea, diarrhea, and other digestive issues
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps and body aches
The severity of withdrawal can range from mild to life-threatening. As such, it’s recommended to have a proper medical detox under the supervision of qualified doctors.
However, many people choose to do a detox at home. That’s where safe, natural remedies like CBD can be especially helpful.
Benefits of CBD for Drug or Alcohol Detox
CBD can help with detoxing in different ways. It’s been shown to influence different processes involved in drug addiction, including cravings, reward, withdrawal, and drug-seeking behaviour.
A growing body of research suggests that CBD may aid in detoxing from alcohol, nicotine, opioids, cannabis, and other drugs:
- One 2018 study reported that a single dose of CBD reduced the pleasantness of smoking-related images after overnight cigarette abstinence
- Another 2013 study found that smokers who used a CBD inhaler ended up smoking 40% fewer cigarettes, with some continuing to smoke less even weeks later
- Similarly, a 2019 study of people addicted to heroin reported reduced cravings after taking CBD for three days, with the effect persisting for one more week
- Meanwhile, a 2020 study found that cannabis users who also consume alcohol drank less when smoking CBD-rich cannabis compared to THC-rich and balanced THC/CBD strains
- Finally, a 2020 study found that CBD reduced cannabis consumption in people with cannabis use disorder
Animal studies have also shown encouraging results:
- A 2021 study found that CBD may help prevent the development of cocaine addiction and relapse, as well as reduce symptoms of memory impairment during withdrawal
- Another 2021 study found that CBD reduced nicotine withdrawal symptoms in rats
- A 2013 study reported that CBD reduced the rewarding effects of morphine in rats
- A 2017 study found that CBD reduced ethanol (alcohol) consumption and relapse in mice
Last but not least, research suggests that CBD can help with many common drug withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, pain, poor sleep, and seizures.
Overall, the research on using CBD for drug detoxing and addiction is promising. But further high-quality clinical studies are needed to substantiate its benefits.
CBD Safety
One of the main advantages of CBD is that it’s safe and natural. A 2018 report by the World Health Organisation concluded that CBD is “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”
Although CBD can cause side effects such as tiredness, dry mouth, and low blood pressure, they’re typically mild.
This makes CBD particularly suited for drug and alcohol detoxing since you don’t want to take anything that makes you feel worse during withdrawal.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil for Drug & Alcohol Detoxing
Although CBD comes in a wide variety of products, full-spectrum CBD oil is the best option for most people. CBD oils are effectively absorbed by the body, which means their effects are stronger than capsules and gummies.
What’s more, full-spectrum products contain additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial hemp compounds. They work in synergy with CBD to create the so-called “entourage effect.”
CBD oil should be taken before, during, and after the detox to help ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse.
You can start with a dose of 10-15 mg and wait several hours to assess the effects. Raise the dosage as needed until you start to experience the desired relief.
