Many healthcare experts are now wondering if CBD might be utilized to combat the opioid crisis. Experts feel that the demand for innovative alternatives is greater than ever because non-opioid treatment options are limited.

Because opioid addiction is difficult to examine, scientists must frequently focus on specific symptoms, which often occur in three stages: intoxication, dependence, and relapse.

“We have so much to learn about its [CBD] function in anxiety and addiction in general,” said Dr. Danesh Alam, medical director of mental health at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.

What Is CBD Oil, and How Can It Help People Who Are Addicted to Opioids?

The chemical compound cannabidiol (CBD) is present in marijuana. CBD does not get people high like other marijuana components like THC. CBD is instead recognized for its inhibitory response, which produces analgesic (pain reduction) and anti-anxiety benefits.

CBD oil is a type of CBD product that is meant to be taken by mouth. CBD oil is usually mixed with food or drinks, but it can also be taken orally (under the tongue). CBD oil can be rubbed on the skin in some circumstances, although CBD tinctures are more commonly used. Oil is an excellent CBD transporter because CBD binds easily with fat.

Opioid addiction is a persistently relapsing condition characterized by a compulsive urge to use opioids and a lack of control over opioid intake, much like any other substance addiction. When someone abuses opioids to the point of addiction, their brain structure can be altered.

CBD is considered to change the way addicted people’s brain cells interact. CBD may offer therapeutic effects not just for opioid addiction, but also for cocaine and psychostimulant addiction, according to the limited number of preclinical research available.

CBD Medical Research Treatment For Opioid Addiction With Marijuana

In a recent double-blind research, CBD treatment decreased both heroin cravings and anxiety caused by the display of drug signals much more than placebo (i.e., injection needles).

CBD has also been demonstrated in rats and humans to decrease heroin cravings. CBD has a few mild adverse effects, according to one study, which makes it a promising treatment option for opiate addiction.

These findings have sparked speculation as to whether CBD’s effects might also help with common opiate withdrawal symptoms such as cravings and anxiety.

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System in New York City, is researching people who se opioids for chronic pain.

Cunningham wants to see if combining medicinal marijuana with opioids helps to manage pain and lessen dependence. She also wants to find out how THC and CBD interact with opioids and pain alleviation when used alone or together.

Is It Legal To Take CBD Oil?

Each state has its own cannabis laws. While medicinal marijuana is still illegal in certain states, CBD oil (from marijuana or hemp) is now legal in all except three: Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota. CBD is legal in all other states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

With all of the buzz around CBD oil, many people are wondering if it’s legal to buy it online.

While the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not seen any examples where people have been charged with a crime for purchasing CBD products online, they do warn that from a federal standpoint, online CBD sellers may be in violation of federal law if they transport CBD across state borders.

Other regulatory restrictions, notably those imposed by the FDA, may be broken by CBD products (Food and Drug Administration). CBD products that promise to heal any condition from migraines to cancer, for example, violate FDA restrictions that only authorized medicines may make such claims.

Since CBD became popular in early 2015, the FDA has consistently clamped down on such businesses.

Is CBD Oil Harmless to One’s Health?

It’s difficult to tell how good a CBD oil is. Some states are better than others when it comes to evaluating these items. So, how can you tell whether CBD products contain exactly what they claim?

When it comes to CBD oils, tinctures, and vaporization liquids, states that have legalized cannabis for recreational and medical purposes usually have stricter regulations. Other businesses may create alliances with third-party testing labs to do extra research beyond what is required by law.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that this is an unregulated sector with its own screening procedure in each state. CBD products must be controlled as pharmaceuticals in some states, while agricultural goods must be regulated in others.

When purchasing CBD oil, get a copy of the Certificate of Analysis, or COAs, which will include any regulatory testing. If a firm does not give this information, be cautious when purchasing their goods, since they may contain different quantities of CBD than those recommended by the state, as well as other contaminants.

Opioid Addiction Treatment With CBD Oil

If you’re considering switching from prescription opioids to CBD oil, keep in mind that it may not be the best option for you. While studies have shown that opioid cravings are reduced in the lab, at-home surveys have shown that some people still have the same degree of cravings when they return to their old surroundings.

Stopping any medicine without first contacting a doctor is never a good idea. However, before substituting CBD oil for a prescription pain medication, get medical advice, carefully choose CBD products, and keep in mind that it may not be effective for everyone.