I’m sure you have heard some of the hype surrounding CBD. Unlike THC, CBD will not give you a buzz. But what about addiction and withdrawal? What happens if you take CBD all the time and then suddenly stop? Will you experience any CBD withdrawal or CBD withdrawal symptoms if you quit taking it?
Withdrawal can be a scary idea for many people who enjoy taking something as beneficial as CBD. There is no need to worry. To understand why CBD withdrawal is not possible, we need to distinguish CBD from other withdrawal-causing substances and determine how it works with your body. While CBD does not cause withdrawal, other substances derived from cannabis can lead to a condition called cannabis withdrawal syndrome. Let’s get to it!
What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. The name includes the prefix “canna-” because CBD is derived from the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa. It is part of a group of chemical compounds called cannabinoids.
What’s interesting about cannabinoids is their unique ability to interact with a biological system appropriately called the Endocannabinoid System, or ECS for short. All humans, mammals, and living creatures have an endocannabinoid system. This internal network of cell-signaling receptors helps regulate key biological functions such as mood, memory, appetite, and sleep.
CBD is not the only cannabinoid from the cannabis plant. Researchers estimate that cannabis has more than 100 different cannabinoids, each with its own unique benefits.
Addiction: CBD vs THC
Most people know CBD’s more famous cannabinoid cousin: tetrahydrocannabinol*.* More commonly known as THC, this cannabinoid is the primary intoxicating component of marijuana; it’s what gets you “high.” When people use THC excessively, it can create a form of substance addiction known as cannabis use disorder (CUD).
THC can form this addiction because it binds to and activates cannabinoid receptors (known as CB1 and CB2 receptors). These special receptors are spread throughout the body and various organs.
Many individuals turn to medical cannabis, including CBD, as an alternative to traditional pain relievers like opioid pain medications, which can be addictive and have adverse health consequences.
So, does CBD have the same side effects as THC? Not at all says new research! In fact, according to this 2007 study, CBD may actually reverse some of the effects of THC.
Is CBD Addictive?
Unlike THC, CBD does not cause intoxication, nor is it addictive. But what about these two compounds makes one addictive and the other not?
Do you remember how we discussed the differences between CBD and THC? Well, when THC activates CB1 receptors in the brain, it causes an influx of dopamine in the areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward. Essentially, this means that the body’s natural reward system has been revved up, and the consumer feels euphoria.
CBD does not cause this flood of dopamine, and the consumer never develops a subconscious reward response because CBD interacts with receptors differently. While THC binds to your ECS receptors, CBD does not. Instead, CBD simply influences the receptors to perform at max functionality.
CB1/CB2 receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which controls various processes in the human body. CBD acts as a modulator and homeostatic regulator to induce a healthy state of balance known as homeostasis.
Can You Develop a Tolerance to CBD?
There is also no need to worry about developing tolerance to CBD. Pharmacologically speaking, tolerance refers to a specific compound’s decreased efficacy following repeated use. In other words, if you take something for long enough, it eventually won’t work as well, and you’ll have to increase the dosage amounts.
This is another way in which CBD is different from THC. According to the research, regular THC consumption causes higher risk of tolerance, leading to an increased dosage to reach the same desired effects. This results in decreased dopamine brain reactivity, suggesting that repeated THC use “burns out” the body’s CB1 receptors.
However, CBD has the opposite effect: it actually increases healthy CB1 activity (without causing intoxication or addiction). Additionally, there is anecdotal evidence that CBD may actually cause reverse tolerance, meaning that consumers need less CBD to achieve the same effects. Research may even support this idea of reverse tolerance.
What Does It Mean To Have A Withdrawal?
Withdrawal develops as a result of suddenly quitting or slowly easing yourself off of a substance. This is often punctuated by several mental and physical effects that make the withdrawal syndromes harder to cope with. The intensity of these side effects is different for all substances. If left unchecked, the effects of withdrawal can become debilitating and dangerous.
Recognizing severe or worsening symptoms is crucial, especially for individuals using medical cannabis for pain management, as these symptoms can escalate over time.
The most severe form of this syndrome is drug withdrawal. Quitting illicit substances can leave a void in a person’s life that other more dangerous substances can replace. This can lead to other forms of substance addiction (such as opioid addiction or dependency on other medications) in a never-ending cycle of abuse.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from withdrawal symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider immediately. For free, confidential help from public health care providers or to find the nearest substance abuse treatment center for withdrawal symptoms, contact The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Can You Get CBD Withdrawal Symptoms if You Quit?
Absolutely not! There are no withdrawal symptoms when you stop consuming CBD, even if you have been taking it for a long time and at relatively high doses. Remember, you may even develop reverse tolerance and easily decrease your CBD dose while enjoying all its benefits.
However, it is important to recognize withdrawal symptoms developing in individuals using medical cannabis for pain management.
What is Cannabis Withdrawal?
Cannabis withdrawal is when a person consumes marijuana (THC) excessively and develops cannabis use disorder. This can affliction can strike recreational consumers to medical cannabis patients. Further research is needed to explore cannabis withdrawal symptoms specifically among medical cannabis patients, considering the varying severity based on usage methods, frequency, and associated health factors.
When this occurs, the consumer may experience cannabis withdrawal symptoms like:
- Depressed mood
- Feeling irritable
- Increased anger
- Weakness
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling restless
- Decreased appetite
- Sleep difficulties
- Strange Dreams
- Nausea and/or abdominal pain
- General craving for marijuana (THC)
Some individuals may fall into a mild withdrawal symptom group, experiencing less severe symptoms compared to others.
These and other symptoms of cannabis withdrawal syndrome usually reach their peak within the first 7 days after you stop taking cannabis. They can last from about a week to two weeks.
Quitting CBD – Effects On The Body
CBD can be used to manage THC withdrawal. Remember, CBD and THC are mirror images of each other, so CBD will potentially reverse or mitigate the damaging effects of THC, including its withdrawal symptoms. Some individuals may experience moderate withdrawal symptoms such as sleep problems, depressed mood, and anxiety.
As you can see from the wealth of research, CBD does not have any of the potential drawbacks that THC does, which are:
- Addiction
- Withdrawals
- Tolerance
Individuals in the severe withdrawal symptom group report a broader array of symptoms, such as irritability and anxiety.
As a result, CBD is a well-tolerated product. There are various CBD products available to fit individual needs. Furthermore, you can take it daily because it does not cause any of the above conditions. In fact, this will greatly increase its efficiency and help the consumer consistently reach a state of homeostasis.
So as you can see, there’s no need to be afraid of trying CBD. You can try it out worry-free and stop any time with no complications.
Can CBD Decrease THC Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal can be especially debilitating for those weaning themselves off of alcohol. However, one treatment option that can provide relief is CBD. The cannabinoid can greatly reduce the effects alcohol withdrawal can have on the mind and body and help prevent any cravings and relapses.
Several withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol that CBD can help relieve include:
- Anxious behaviors
- Irritability
- Melancholia
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Stomach pain
- Sleep problems
- Strange dreams
CBD benefits the consumer by targeting the centers of the brain that produce pleasure. Alcohol targets these areas and produces intoxication and addictive effects; CBD does neither. Instead, CBD reduces the urge to consume more alcohol by diminishing memory systems in the brain associated with addiction.
Where To Get The Best CBD
The best place to get the highest quality CBD around is Cheef Botanicals! At Cheef, we make all of our products with your health and safety in mind. You won’t find any additives, preservatives, or harmful chemicals in any of our products. It’s no wonder enthusiasts choose us as the first place to go for their CBD needs.
We make everything with the following assurances:
- All-natural ingredients
- American grown hemp
- 100% Farm Bill compliant
- Cruelty-free
- Third-party lab tested for safety and accuracy. You can view the Certificates of Analysis (COA) on our website.
Everything we offer is broad spectrum and contains no THC, except for our CBD flower (which contains 0.3% or less THC). By consuming the right dose of CBD, your physical health will improve in more ways than one!
Final Thoughts
If you’re one of the many millions of enthusiasts worldwide who incorporate CBD into their daily wellness routine, then you know by now that CBD is extremely safe to take. Unlike other products, CBD does not cause a person to be heavily dependent on it. As a result, longtime enthusiasts who decide to stop taking CBD will not experience CBD withdrawal. Instead, CBD will have the opposite effect and may help lessen multiple withdrawal symptoms associated with other habit-forming products such as alcohol.
But don’t wait until your life is out of balance to start taking CBD. Ensure you’re always in a steady state by incorporating this amazing holistic remedy into your daily wellness regimen today! Whether you’re a longtime CBD connoisseur or a newbie getting into CBD, there’s a product for you. Whether you prefer to smoke, vape, ingest, or topically apply CBD, look no further than Cheef Botanicals to meet your every need!
Head to our shop to find the perfect CBD product to incorporate into your wellness regimen today!
