Early studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound in the cannabis plant, may help treat opioid withdrawal.
A 2021 study reported that CBD anxiety and nausea, two symptoms that can occur during opioid withdrawal. The study also found that people in pain took less opioid medication if they were also given CBD.
Health authorities have not approved CBD for use in opioid withdrawal. CBD can also cause side effects. Below you can read more about using CBD for opioid withdrawal, including more about its safety and how it compares to traditional treatments.
Can CBD Facilitate Opioid Withdrawal?
People who use opioids consistently over a long period of time and then stop abruptly may experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be debilitating and are generally most severe during the first 1-2 weeks. However, they can persist for months leading to relapse, unsafe use and overdose.
The 2021 study included an in-depth review of 44 studies examining the use of CBD for various other medical conditions, such as anxiety, pain and insomnia. One study found that the compound reduced opioid cravings in people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who had already stopped using opioids. The researchers also found that CBD reduced certain symptoms that can also occur during withdrawal. The cannabinoid can have a positive effect on tension, depression, insomnia, pain, muscle twitching, nausea and vomiting and blood pressure.
This theoretically means – although it has not been directly researched – that doctors might consider adding CBD to treatment plans to reduce withdrawal symptoms. However, studying the effects of CBD directly on opioid withdrawal and determining the best dosages and formulations requires more research.
Risks and Safety
Findings indicate that CBD can cause the following:
- Dose-related liver damage: The risk of this damage increases when a person takes CBD with certain other medications.
- Sedation: This effect may wear off over time, but using CBD in combination with drugs that have a sedative effect can severely reduce breathing.
- Increased suicidal ideation: Anyone taking CBD and experiencing changes in mood or behavior should be evaluated by a physician.
Doctors do not recommend CBD for those with allergies to CBD or sesame oil, a history of substance use disorders, or depression or suicidal thoughts.
In addition, as the FDA warns, research has not shown that CBD is safe and determining its long-term effects requires further research. In addition, the FDA indicates that CBD products may contain contaminants, pesticides, and bioactive chemicals.
Another approach
Medications for OLD remain the gold standard of treatment, as they are the options that have been proven to reduce overdose and death. However, researchers continue to explore other options.
A 2018 meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture or electroacupuncture. After reviewing nine studies involving a total of 1.063 participants, the authors concluded that acupuncture and electroacupuncture may reduce opioid cravings. Still, they add that further studies are needed.
The Opioid Crisis
Opioids belong to a group of medicines that contain painkillers and substances such as heroin. There is a lot of abuse of opioids leading to addiction and overdose. In 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared this crisis a public health emergency.
From April 2020 to April 2021, there were 75.673 deaths from opioid overdose. This was a significant increase from the 56.064 opioid overdose deaths observed in the previous 12 months.
Read more medicalnewstoday.com (Source, EN)
