CBD oil is not addictive and has a low potential for abuse. According to a 2018 review of Cannabidiol (CBD) by the World Health Organization (WHO), “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” Additionally, it was reported that people who use CBD do not exhibit effects indicative of any potential abuse or dependence potential.
That being said, people who use a high amount of CBD each day may experience some side effects or withdrawal symptoms if they stop. These include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and irritable moods. Keep reading to learn more about CBD, addiction, and whether you can get addicted to CBD oil or other CBD products.
Before we get started, let’s break down what CBD is, as well as what drug addiction entails.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of 80 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies suggest that CBD offers many potential health benefits, such as assisting with pain reduction, stress relief, and trouble sleeping. Learn more about the benefits of CBD oil.
CBD does not produce a psychoactive effect because it doesn’t contain high levels of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the compound that causes the “high” feeling. Per the 2018 Farm Bill, all CBD products sold in the United States must be sourced from industrial hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive and non-addictive making it an attractive candidate for therapeutic drugs
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil (cannabidiol oil) is made by infusing CBD extract into a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil. CBD oils may be made from Full Spectrum CBD extract or Broad Spectrum CBD extract. Some CBD oils also contain flavors or additional beneficial ingredients. CBD oil is typically sold in 1oz. dropper bottles.
What is Addiction?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.” Repeated drug use can cause changes in the brain, which impair an addicted person’s self-control and force them to act on intense urges to take drugs.
Many factors contribute to a person’s risk for addiction. These include genetics, environmental influences, and when the individual begins drug use.
Fortunately, drug addiction is treatable and something many people have overcome to lead healthy, successful lives. (If you want to overcome a current drug addiction, please get help today. Use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Is CBD Addictive?
CBD is not addictive or habit-forming. A 2017 study investigated whether or not CBD would produce signs of abuse in participants. The study found that CBD had as low of a risk for abuse as the placebo.
Why Isn’t CBD Oil Addictive?
CBD in and of itself is not addictive because it interacts with your body without producing the intoxicating effects that often lead to drug addiction. In fact, CBD is often used for calming and relaxing effects as opposed to inducing a “high” or chemically altered state.
Everyone has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) which is a system of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in your body that help regulate sleep, mood, appetite, and a variety of other body functions. Because CBD is chemically similar to our own endocannabinoids, taking CBD will likewise bind to and interact with the cannabinoid receptors of your ECS, prompting it to take action to maintain homeostasis in the body.
Simply, CBD naturally stimulates your own body to create its own therapeutic or beneficial response.
How can you tell if CBD oil is addictive?
If you purchased a legal CBD oil or another CBD product in the United States, your CBD product is not addictive.
Can you get addicted if you take a high dose of CBD oil every day?
Some may wonder if taking a high dose of CBD oil each day can lead to addiction. Because CBD is non-addictive, there are very few studies investigating what happens if you take a lot of CBD every day. One study from 2017 found that “chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are reportedly well tolerated in humans.”
What happens if you take too much CBD?
CBD can be tolerated by most in fairly high doses. However, it is possible to take too much CBD for your body. There are no psychoactive or hallucinogenic side effects from taking very high doses of CBD. Some negative side effects you may experience are drowsiness, vomiting, or diarrhea.
For your safety, follow the printed instructions and suggested serving guidance provided by the CBD brand.
While unlikely, if you take a high dose of CBD and experience ANY more serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing, losing consciousness, or having a seizure, call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to your nearest emergency room.
Is CBD Oil Safe to use?
Generally, CBD oil is safe to use. That being said, we recommend you only buy CBD oil and CBD products from brands that provide a Certificate of Analysis for the product. Provided by a third-party lab, the Certificate of Analysis will break down the compounds and chemicals in the product, verifying the content and purity.
Can you take CBD with other drugs?
Even when taken properly, CBD has the potential to interact with other medications, herbs, and prescription drugs. For this reason, if you are currently taking any medication, you should not take CBD until you consult with your doctor or healthcare provider.
What is the difference between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil?
Some people use “Hemp Oil” and “CBD Oil” interchangeably. This is because both hemp oil and CBD oil are derived from the cannabis plant. At the same time, some also use “Hemp Oil” and “Hemp Seed Oil” to refer to the same thing. The best way to know which type of oil you have is to check the ingredients list.
Hemp Seed Oil is made by cold-pressing hemp seeds from the cannabis sativa plant. While high in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and other nutritional antioxidants, hemp seed oil contains little to no CBD.
While it may be referred to as Hemp Oil, CBD oil is NOT the same as Hemp Seed Oil.
CBD oil is made by extracting the CBD compound from the leaves, flowers, and stalks of hemp plants. (Federal law requires all CBD products in the United States to be sourced from industrialized hemp plants.)
Is hemp oil addictive?
Just as CBD oil is non-addictive, hemp oil is non-addictive.
In the case where hemp oil refers to hemp seed oil, consuming hemp seed oil is considered safe. The seeds used to create hemp seed oil contain trace to no amount of THC or CBD. There are no addiction risks associated with taking hemp seed oil.
Hemp CBD Oil vs Marijuana CBD Oil
There are two main sources of CBD – the hemp plant or the marijuana plant. While they both belong to the cannabis family, the plants themselves are different. Marijuana plants can be from either the cannabis indica or cannabis sativa family, but hemp or industrial hemp only comes from plants in the cannabis sativa family with less than 0.3% THC. Not only do marijuana and hemp differ in anatomy but they also differ tremendously based on their compositions. The major difference comes with the content of the two main cannabinoids – THC and CBD.
As we covered earlier, CBD is a cannabinoid that interacts with your Endocannabinoid System. Whereas THC is a psychoactive phytocannabinoid that causes a “high” feeling. Hemp plants contain CBD in extremely high proportion and THC in extremely low proportion. Marijuana, on the other hand, has high amounts of THC followed by CBD.
Marijuana-derived CBD oils contain much higher levels of THC and are considered a type of medical marijuana. These types of products are not legal federally, however some states allow these types of purchases (medical marijuana) for medical reasons. Because of the high levels of THC, CBD oils derived from marijuana are considered different than CBD oils with less than 0.3% THC, with their own set of risks and benefits.
For the purposes of this post, we are only referring to CBD oil and CBD products that are legally made from industrialized hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC. All of the products listed on the Best CBD Finder marketplace are legally sourced from industrialized hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC or NO THC.
Is there THC in CBD Oil?
CBD Oil may have trace amounts of THC present. Per federal law, all CBD oil must contain less than 0.3% THC. What determines if there is THC in the CBD Oil is whether it is a Full Spectrum CBD Oil or a Broad Spectrum CBD Oil. Full Spectrum CBD oils will contain smalls of THC. Broad Spectrum CBD oils and products will have no THC. The amount of THC in the product should be reported on the Certificate of Analysis (CoA). The CoA reports all of the compounds and terpenes present in your CBD.
Learn more about different CBD Spectrums and why they matter.
Is CBD oil legal in my state?
CBD oil use is legal in all 50 states. However, some states limit CBD sales. For example, people in California are not permitted to purchase edibles that contain CBD. Check with your state regulations if you are unsure if CBD oil is legal in your state.
Can CBD Help Fight Addiction?
Currently, there is no clear evidence that CBD helps fight addiction. However, a 2015 study researched the use of Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors. After systematically revealing available preclinical and clinical evidence, they concluded that CBD may have beneficial effects for cannabis and tobacco dependence. Early animal studies also suggest “possible effects of CBD on opioid and psychostimulant addiction.” The study also noted indirect benefits from CBD, such as reducing stress, that may help in the treatment of addiction disorders.
I presently work as a GP in London. Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health – depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.
[email protected]
- Top Delta 8 Disposables Comprehensive Review - August 4, 2023
- Is CBD Oil Addictive? Get The Truth About CBD Addiction - January 26, 2023
- One for You, One for the Community - January 25, 2023
