CBD To Quit THC joints: Is it effective?

Cannabidiol (CBD), the main component of hemp plants, has emerged as a possible withdrawal aid for those who have decided to eliminate marijuana use. But is this true? Can CBD really help to quit joints with THC? Does it help with THC withdrawal syndrome?

In this post we will solve these doubts and explain what science says about the use of CBD to stop the consumption of marijuana or THC-rich cannabis.

Differences between CBD and THC

CBD and THC are two of the main cannabinoids or active substances found in the cannabis plant. Although both are derived from the same plant, their effects on the body are very different:

• CBD or cannabidiol is non-psychoactive, has no addictive potential, and has been studied for the treatment of pain, anxiety and sleep disorders, among other conditions.
• THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is psychoactive and has addictive potential. It is the component of cannabis responsible for the euphoric and perception-altering effects of marijuana consumption. Chronic use, especially in youth, can lead to anxiety, paranoia and memory problems. It also has approved medicinal uses.

Differences between CBD and marijuana

THC is found in marijuana, or psychoactive-type cannabis, in concentrations of 15-30% THC or more, depending on the strain. Legal cannabis strains, hemp or CBD flowers, have a THC content of less than 0.2%.

How to use CBD to quit THC?

Scientific evidence suggests that CBD may be beneficial for withdrawal from THC, especially when used via inhalation. Smoking or vaporizing CBD can prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms when quitting THC. However, if symptoms are already present, CBD oil administered orally can be a great ally.

Smoking CBD to quit THC

CBD-rich cannabis, or CBD flowers, is a variety of cannabis that has a THC content of less than 0.3% (in THC-rich or psychoactive cannabis, the concentration is 10-30% THC or higher). Although some countries have already regulated CBD flowers as a smoking product, in most European countries these hemp flowers are not an authorized product for consumption.

The study “A good smoke? The unauthorized use of CBD to reduce cannabis consumption” (15) reports a survey conducted in France on 1,556 participants, in 2023, which sought to see the reality of those who smoke CBD cannabis to reduce their consumption of cannabis with high THC content.

According to the survey, 83% of people smoked CBD flowers to reduce their consumption of high-THC cannabis. Of this group, 59% reported a large reduction in their marijuana use, due to decreased withdrawal symptoms. Daily CBD use was significantly associated with a greater reduction in THC consumption. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Currently, smoking CBD to quit smoking marijuana or cannabis with THC is a reality for many users, but it is not an accepted therapy and therefore no well-designed studies are available, only surveys. Smoking, regardless of the substance, is harmful to health. Available data are scarce, and there are no studies that fully evaluate and validate the efficacy of smoking CBD cannabis in reducing THC consumption. Cannactiva products are not authorized for consumption.

Vaping CBD to quit THC

A study conducted in the United States suggests that the use of inhaled CBD has a particularly enhanced response in decreasing withdrawal symptoms and craving for marijuana use (10).

For those with tobacco addiction, which was related to marijuana addiction, nicotine was added to the CBD vaporizer to address and prevent tobacco withdrawal.

In this study, each person reduced THC consumption to 50% over a 12-week period with the help of vape CBD consumption, without any marijuana withdrawal symptoms. The reported dose of CBD is 285 mg/day by the inhaled route, but CBD has a wide margin of safety. This indicates that CBD can help to quit marijuana without presenting any characteristic withdrawal symptoms.

CBD oil to quit THC

To treat marijuana withdrawal syndrome, effective doses of 400 to 600 mg of CBD in capsules daily (17) or 18 to 24 mg of CBD in the form of CBD oil each time it was needed while under medical treatment to cope with marijuana withdrawal syndrome (11) have been reported. On the other hand, to give relief from specific THC withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, doses from 300 to 600 mg of CBD administered in the form of CBD oil capsules have been suggested (12-14), or from 150 to 1500 mg daily to treat psychotic disorders (12-14).

CBD is generally well tolerated and represents a safe option for the treatment of THC withdrawal. Generally, the side effects of CBD are minor and infrequent.

CBD for THC cessation: Current Research

Quitting THC: Symptoms

When marijuana use is stopped and the body no longer receives the amounts of THC to which it used to be exposed, a series of changes occur in the body, which manifest themselves with various symptoms and can lead to a THC withdrawal syndrome.

Withdrawal syndrome usually develops within 2 to 6 days after abrupt cessation of THC use, peaking at 2 to 3 days (1). Symptoms include anxiety, irritability, insomnia and loss of appetite.

After 7 days, the onset of mood changes appears to be frequent and includes anger, aggression, and depression, peaking at 2 weeks after stopping marijuana. On the other hand, sleep disorders may persist for a longer period of time (3).

Given the challenge of THC dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms, various strategies are being explored to mitigate these effects and facilitate the process of quitting marijuana use. Among these strategies is the use of CBD.

Mechanism of action of CBD

CBD itself has a wide range of properties that alleviate THC withdrawal symptoms. CBD reduces anxiety, exerts a neuroprotective effect and may help improve sleep.

In addition, CBD can indirectly help to maintain the stimulation of CB1 receptors that THC used to activate. It does so indirectly, through the increase of anandamide.

Anandamide is a THC-like molecule produced by our body. CBD blocks the mechanisms by which the body degrades anandamide, increasing its amounts in the brain so that it is available to activate CB1 receptors. Thus, CBD could help to reduce THC withdrawal syndrome (4, 5).

In addition, CBD has been shown to be non-addictive and to have a wide range of safety. It has no significant adverse effects when used chronically or in high doses in humans (6-8), so it can be a safe alternative to quitting marijuana.

Conclusion

Overall, initial results on the use of CBD for detoxification from marijuana or THC-rich cannabis use are promising. The practice of smoking CBD to reduce the consumption of THC-rich cannabis is popular, but no studies have assessed its impact. Regarding the use of CBD-containing vape liquids and CBD oils to treat addictions, there are more studies and it seems that CBD would be positive through decreasing withdrawal symptoms. In any case, addiction treatment should be supervised by a professional. Consultation with a physician is recommended in case of doubt.

Note: This is an informational article and is not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. Its content can complement, but should never replace, the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. There may be new relevant scientific evidence since the date of publication. Consult your doctor before using CBD. The therapeutic approach must always be personalized and will depend on the professional assessment. It is recommended to see a specialized professional to treat addiction or dependence to marijuana use, or if you have doubts or concerns about its use.

References

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