When it comes to struggling with addiction, you have to be very careful when it comes to what medications you take. One of the main reasons being that there are very popular medications that are commonly prescribed that can cause relapse, known as cross-addiction, or cause you to have a new addiction to this new drug. So when looking into CBD oil, is it safe for addicts to use to combat their symptoms?
What is Cross Addiction?
Your brain has a system called the mesolimbic system which is what controls the reward system. This reward system is what keeps us surviving by pushing us to do things like eat, sleep, reproduce, and nurture. When someone introduces a substance like narcotics or alcohol to this reward system, it messes with the reward system, making it crave this substance more than anything. When someone who has previously struggled with addiction and they expose this part of their brain to a new chemical or drug, it can cause them to return to the original drug that caused dependency.
Drugs to Avoid
One of the things you should do every time you go to the doctor is to let them know that you have had substance abuse issues. You may feel a little weird about it, but remember, the doctor is there to help you get healthy. Your doctor not knowing you struggle with addiction could prescribe you a medication that could make you relapse. Here are a few types of medications you should avoid or ask your doctor before taking if you struggle with addiction.
- Stimulants
- Pain reliever
- Sedatives
- Antidiarrheals
- Muscle Relaxers
What About Cannabis?
While cannabis with THC can pose a risk (albeit a small one considering the other medications on the market), CBD hemp oil has shown to be a good alternative for those who can’t use full plant cannabis products. In a study looking into the potential abuse of CBD oil, scientists found:
- Feel good effects of cannabidiol were significantly lower than other medications administered, alprazolam and dronabinol
- Cannabidiol administration showed no observable cognitive or psychomotor effects
- There were no serious adverse effects or deaths reported during the trial
CBD hemp oil has shown to be one of the better options when it comes to people who struggle with addiction because they may be able to find relief without risking relapse, but that’s not all. CBD oil may also help with cravings and addictions as well.
CBD Hemp Oil for Addiction
We touched on the neurology of addiction a little bit at the beginning of the article. The reason you are getting cravings for that drug you kicked is that you are depriving your brain of this new substance it fell in love with. It’s waiting for the substance, it isn’t getting it, and your brain is not happy about it. However, like a child, you have to have discipline and get through this time until your brain is no longer through a tantrum over missing a drug. One way to make this process easier is by using CBD oil.
The reason that CBD oil may be able to help with addiction is because of its ability to regulate areas of the brain, one of them being the mesolimbic system. When things are going wrong in the endocannabinoid system, like the mesolimbic system being overactivated, CBD oil has shown in studies to help reduce cravings through the power of regulation. CBD oil may also help with withdrawal symptoms of addiction like nausea, pain, and irritability.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you are in need of medication but struggle with addiction, let your doctor know. Bring up the use of CBD oil and they can figure out whether or not it can work for you. Be sure to check out our shop to see what kind of options you have from using vapes to lollipops!
