Many people have heard of CBD and know that many people tout its potential benefits for treating a broad range of conditions. If you have heard about CBD, you might wonder whether it could help to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It’s important to note that CBD has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat any condition other than certain types of childhood epilepsy [1]. However, some early research indicates that CBD might be helpful for treating opioid withdrawal.
Here is what you need to know.
What Is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a naturally occurring substance derived from cannabis plants. While it is one of the hundreds of compounds found in this plant species, it does not have the types of psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which also is found in cannabis plants.
CBD is a chemical substance known as a cannabinoid. Researchers believe it binds to receptor sites contained in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems of the human body. CBD specifically binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors similarly to certain neurotransmitters the body naturally produces. The ECS works to maintain homeostasis and the functioning of multiple bodily functions, including temperature regulation, mood, immune responses, inflammatory responses, sleep, appetite, and others [2].
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Potential Benefits of CBD
While research into the effects of CBD is still in its infancy, some of the potential benefits may include the following:
- Pain relief
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduced stress
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved sleep [3]
More research needs to be completed to make definitive conclusions about the health benefits of CBD, however.
Understanding Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal
Opiates are pain-relieving drugs derived from the opium poppy, and opioids are synthetic drugs that act in the same way as opiates. These are narcotics that are highly addictive, and many people have become addicted over the past couple of decades.
Some common types of opiate and opioid drugs include the following:
- Heroin
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Hydromorphone
- Methadone
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Meperidine
Opiates and opioids cause people to develop physical dependence, which can lead to drug tolerance as people need to take increasing amounts to achieve the same effects. When people take excessive amounts of these drugs for a few weeks, they will undergo withdrawal symptoms when they stop.
The following are some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with ceasing the use of opiates or opioids:
- Abdominal cramps
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Piloerection (goosebumps)
- Insomnia
- Increased tearing
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Yawning
- Runny nose
The withdrawal symptoms can be particularly uncomfortable and debilitating, and they can last for a week or longer. In some cases, people will struggle with withdrawal symptoms for several months [4.] Because of the fear that many people with opioid use disorders have of withdrawal symptoms and the addictiveness of these drugs, many people struggle to quit.
Can CBD Help With Withdrawal From Opiates or Opioids?
Research into how CBD interacts with the ECS might indicate some potential benefits in helping people struggling with opiate or opioid dependence and might help to alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms.
In a 2019 study, the authors conducted research with people who had previously quit using heroin but were still struggling with ongoing withdrawal symptoms of cravings and anxiety [5]. The participants were divided into three groups, including a group that received 400 mg doses of CBD, a group to received 800 mg doses of CBD, and a group that received placebos. The researchers found that the acute withdrawal symptoms were significantly lower in groups who took CBD as compared to the group that received the placebo. Participants reported reduced cravings and anxiety at intervals of one, two, and 24 hours following the initial dose. The participants also reported positive effects seven days following treatment.
The results from this study might indicate that CBD products could have medical use for those who are recovering from opiate or opioid addiction and going through withdrawal. However, much more extensive research is needed to determine whether CBD might provide long-term benefits for people as they strive to maintain sobriety.
A review of the literature conducted in 2021 looked at 44 studies of the use of CBD to treat other conditions, including pain, insomnia, and anxiety [6]. However, the reviewed studies did not investigate CBD and addiction recovery.
The literature review did include one study that found that CBD might reduce the following issues associated with opioid withdrawal:
- Cravings
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Pain
- Depression
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These symptoms are common in people withdrawing from opioids.
These studies might indicate that CBD could help people undergoing opioid withdrawal manage their withdrawal symptoms. However, more research needs to be conducted to understand the effects of CBD on people withdrawing from opioids and on the appropriate formulations and dosages that might be needed.
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Looking For High-Quality CBD?
Although there is still research to be done on the effectiveness of CBD for various kinds of withdrawal, the evidence is promising.
While it is advised that people who are dealing with opioid use disorders undergo detox and treatment under the supervision of medical professionals, you may wish to try CBD for some relief. Sugar Bottom Hemp has a variety of high quality CBD products that may benefit you or those you know going through opioid withdrawal, including:
- Zen Chill
- Full-Spectrum CBD Tincture
- CBD Live Seltzer
- CBD Pate de Fruit
Our CBD products are crafted from organic hemp and undergo rigorous clinical testing from a third-party laboratory. For more information about our full lineup of products, contact us today at (917) 817-3670.
Resources
- FDA News Release. (2021, July 31). FDA Approves New Indication for Drug Containing an Active Ingredient Derived from Cannabis to Treat Seizures in Rare Genetic Disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare
- Grinspoon, P. (2021, August 11). The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569
- Williams, C., & Nutbrown, D. L. (2021). A Review of Research into the Health Benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD). The Neighborhood Academy: Pittsburgh, PA, USA. https://www.theneighborhoodacademy.org/editoruploads/files/Carrington_Williams_-_Review_of_CBD_Health_Benefits.pdf
- Mansi Shah, & Huecker, M. R. (2019, June 4). Opioid Withdrawal. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/
- Hurd, Y. L., Spriggs, S., Alishayev, J., Winkel, G., Gurgov, K., Kudrich, C., … & Salsitz, E. (2019). Cannabidiol for the reduction of cue-induced craving and anxiety in drug-abstinent individuals with heroin use disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 176(11), 911-922. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18101191
- Kudrich, C., Hurd, Y. L., Salsitz, E., & Wang, A. L. (2022). Adjunctive management of opioid withdrawal with the nonopioid medication cannabidiol. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 7(5), 569-581. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2021.0089
