According to the CDC, an estimated 480,000 people dies every year in the US due to conditions related to cigarette consumption. In 2017, more than 14% of adults in the US smoked cigarettes, and more than 16 million people suffer from a smoke-related disease. On the other hand, an estimate of 70% of people who smoke want to quit, but most smokers try several times before they successfully get rid of the habit.
There are many products (including OTC and prescription medicines) to help you quit smoking. But there is also a natural substance that has shown promising results in this area: CBD. CBD or cannabidiol is a natural substance that is extracted from the cannabis sativa or hemp plant. It doesn’t have any psychoactive effects and, contrary to THC, it remains legal in most places. Cannabidiol is used to relieve conditions such as seizures, anxiety, pain, and inflammation by many individuals all over the world. But can CBD help you quit smoking? Keep reading below and discover all about CBD to quit smoking.
Why Should You Quit Smoking?
Most smokers know that smoking is bad for their health and don’t need convincing to quit smoking. If you are a smoker, you must probably know why you should quit. But if you still have any doubts, see below the reasons to quit smoking:
- Prevent cancer. Smoking is the main cause of many types of cancer, including lung, bladder, throat, and mouth to name a few.
- Improve your heart health. Quitting smoking will dramatically improve your cardiovascular condition. Conversely, smoking can provoke cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart illnesses.
- Prevent respiratory disease.
- Improve fertility and prevent erectile dysfunction.
And finally, smoking can kill you. Is there a better reason than this?
Does CBD Quit Smoking Work?
CBD or cannabidiol is a substance with many properties and it’s becoming popular in recent times among individuals seeking natural alternatives for many ailments. But does CBD to quit smoking work?
Although there is evidence that cannabidiol acts upon the endocannabinoid receptors in our system, it is still unknown how this process works. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for many processes, including appetite regulation, pain sensation, mood, and memory, to name a few. But it is also believed that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in nicotine addiction.
A study conducted by the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, at the University College London, showed significant cigarette reduction among individuals who used CBD to quit smoking. The study was performed in 24 people who wished to quit the smoking habit. Half of them received a CBD inhaler for a week, whilst the other half were given a placebo. The research showed that the ones who used the CBD inhalers reduced the intake of cigarettes considerably (40%). The ones who used the placebo didn’t show any difference.
Another study conducted in the UK, performed in 30 participants wanted to investigate if CBD could reduce cravings, withdrawal, and pleasure associated with cigarette consumption. In this case, participants were given 800mg of oral CBD for a period of time, and the same amount of placebo for the rest of the time. The study proved that tobacco abstinence decreased when the participants were given CBD, although withdrawal and cravings remained unaffected.
Although more research is needed in this field, the above studies suggest that CBD may be a good option to quit smoking.
How to Use CBD to Quit Smoking?
CBD is sold in various formats, including:
- oils
- edibles
- creams and gels
- vaping liquids
If you are planning to use CBD to quit smoking you should opt for CBD oils, edibles, or vaping liquids. However, in our opinion, vaping liquids have a downside to them. The smoking habit has a psychological component, and vaping can remind you of the smoking habit. So, if you have a high psychological dependence on cigarettes, you should avoid this option.
CBD oil typically comes in small bottles with a dropper. You must simply use the dropper to place a few CBD oil drops under your tongue. Regarding the dosage, unfortunately, there’s no information about what the correct dose should be. So, the general recommendation is to start low and increase your dose with time if it’s not working. But listen to your body. If you feel any undesired effects, you should lower your dose.
Other Tips to Quit Smoking
Although CBD can help you quit smoking, there are other tips that you can follow to achieve your goal. Let’s see them below:
- Set a date. Smoking causes physical, social, and psychological dependence. When you quit smoking, you may suffer from nicotine withdrawal, insomnia, nervousness, and constipation. So, get prepared before you quit. Setting a date will help you put your mind in the right place to face these issues. A period of 2 weeks will help you get ready.
- Tell your family and friends. They will help you get the motivation that you need. Additionally, finding a quitting buddy can help you both achieve your goal. But if you quit together with a friend or family member, be careful and don’t enable each other to relapse.
- Get rid of any smoking material. Throw away cigarettes, ashtrays, lighters, and anything that might remind you of the habit.
- If you have tried quitting before but didn’t succeed, ask yourself why. Think about what happened before you relapsed. This way you’ll be able to replicate what worked and avoid doing whatever made you fail.
- Once you stop, don’t smoke anymore. There’s no such thing as “I will smoke just one and no more”. If you do that, chances are you will smoke again.
- Don’t drink alcohol. Many times, drinking alcohol (or using drugs) is the reason why smokers relapse.
If you really want to quit smoking and you are serious about it, don’t look for excuses and act now. The best moment to quit smoking is not in New Years, the best time to quit smoking is today.
