CBD Reduces Cravings
This is a scientific guide.
Based on the latest medical studies.
- know exactly how CBD affects withdrawal and cravings
- discover the optimal CBD dosages tested and possible adverse effects
- find out how this nonintoxicating compound affects Alcohol Use Disorder
Let’s get started.
2019 CBD Research
CBD for Alcoholism?
New Study Results Say: Promising
New CBD Research Published April 14, 2019
Study results: According to a survey of CBD for Alcoholism studies, cannabidiol is a promising treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder. (1)
Benefit:
- CBD protected the brain from some adverse effects of alcohol use in preclinical and lab trials. (2)
- CBD decreased liver toxicity and alcohol-induced fatty liver in animals. (3)
CBD decreased symptoms of alcohol abuse:
- cue-elicited and stress-elicited alcohol-seeking
- alcohol self-administration
- withdrawal-induced convulsions
- impulsive discounting of delayed rewards (4)
Adverse Effects: CBD was well tolerated with minimal side effects in human trials. (5)
CBD is non-addictive.
Our Summary: This study was a review of medical literature and research for the therapeutic potential of CBD in cases of Alcoholism.
The researchers analyzed 12 articles on CBD for alcoholism:
- 8 using rodent models
- 3 using healthy adult volunteers
- 1 using cell culture
Neuroprotectorant: In both rodent and cell cultures, evidence was found for CBD having neuroprotective effects on the hippocampus area of the brain. (6)
Liver: In rodent models, cannabidiol was found to have protective effects on the liver, specifically fatty liver disease associated with alcoholism. (7)
Alcohol Cravings: In rodent models, CBD was also found to have a number of effects that could be helpful for addicts who are trying to quit using alcohol. It appears that CBD may decrease alcohol cravings and specific alcohol withdrawal symptoms in rodents. (8)
What’s Next: With regard to human clinical research, this study states there is a lack of human trials to show that these preclinical findings are effective in people who struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder.
Conclusion: “Human preclinical and clinical studies are needed to determine whether these positive effects in model systems substantively translate into clinically relevant outcomes.” (9)
Check out this video using CBD for alcohol withdrawal.
Study Authors:
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Addiction Medicine Service, Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Keywords: Cannabis, Cannabidiol, Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder, alcohol abuse,
References
Turna J, Syan SK, Frey BN, et al. Cannabidiol as a Novel Candidate Alcohol Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy: A Systematic Review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019;43(4):550–563. doi:10.1111/acer.13964
2019 CBD Research
New CBD Research Published December 2019
Benefit: CBD shows promise diminishing symptoms of alcohol use disorder. (1)
Our Summary:
- This study discusses how the endocannabinoid system may have important implications for cannabidiol treatments for alcoholism.
- The aim is to guide the thinking of future researchers and create a framework to study the relationship between cannabidiol and alcohol use disorder.
- Develop a theoretical framework for the effects of cannabinoids such as CBD on alcoholism. (2)
How CBD works: While it is not currently known exactly how CBD helps diminish symptoms of alcoholism, there are a number of proposed mechanisms:
- CBD may affect brain functions which lead to alcohol consumption and abuse (3)
- CBD may influence alcohol abuse by effecting “digestive, immune, and central nervous systems, collectively known as the microbiota-gut-brain-axis (MGBA).” It appears CBD can repair disturbances in these systems which may have the result of reducing cravings for alcohol. (4)
Check out this video on CBD benefits for quitting alcohol and managing anxiety.
Study Authors:
Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder
Keywords: Cannabis, Cannabidiol, Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder, alcohol abuse,
References
Karoly HC, Mueller RL, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE. Cannabinoids and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Emerging Effects of Cannabidiol and Potential Applications to Alcohol Use Disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2020;44(2):340–353. doi:10.1111/acer.14256
Alcohol is such a scourge. My uncle has been an alcoholic for years. He’s tried to quit so many times. I’m going to recommend CBD to him and see what he says.
Thank you for the comment. Alcoholism has touched a lot of families. Hopefully, CBD will help.
So impressed by the research that is out there for CBD and Alcoholism. I just talked to a friend yesterday about his drinking and he brought up CBD. He gets the shakes everytime he tries to quit. I told him CBD is a good option. Did some research today and came across your site. I’ll let him know these studies are out there. Hopefully CBD can help him quit drinking alcohol.
Good luck to your friend. Let us know how he does with CBD while cutting back on his alcohol consumption.