How Can CBD Help Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms?

Whether you’re quitting cigarettes, trying to vape less, or just looking to make a lifestyle change, stepping away from nicotine can be tough. Fortunately, Mother Nature provides alternatives and plants packed with feel-good chemicals that aren’t addictive. Enter: cannabinoids like CBD, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting effects. But there may be more to these compounds than meets the eye, particularly for those quitting nicotine. 

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Below, we dive into the details about how CBD can help nicotine withdrawal, if it can at all. For the uninitiated, let’s start with some background on the wonderful and natural substance and its many health applications.

First, Let’s Review: What is CBD?

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CBD is a cannabinoid from, you guessed it, the cannabis plant. Don’t get it confused with THC, which is what gives electric lettuce (marijuana) its magic touch. Hemp contains more CBD than Mary Jane does, and is the usual source for this particular cannabinoid. 

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While CBD does cause the body to operate and feel differently, such as making it hungrier, happier, more tired, etc., it doesn’t get anyone high. The key difference between CBD and THC is the former’s lack of psychoactive effects. 

How does CBD work?

To put it complexly, CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. If your eyes just glazed over a bit reading that, don’t worry, ours did too when we wrote it. To put it simply, CBD unlocks certain doors in our bodies to help regulate appetite, mood, certain immune responses, and a range of other functions.

To make it doubly clear, none of those “open doors” will get you high. CBD’s actual benefits are as follows:

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• Anti-inflammatory: This property helps CBD act as a natural pain reliever. 
• Antioxidant: CBD can relieve oxidative stress in the body, making it a physical therapy option for those struggling with certain diseases.
• Sedative: CBD can help fight back insomnia.
• Mood-boosting: CBD is a relaxant that helps reduce stress and boost happiness.
• Appetite stimulation: Many users, but not all, feel hungrier after taking CBD.

Understanding Nicotine Withdrawal: Why it Happens

Nicotine withdrawal happens to those who’ve developed a dependence on nicotine from cigarettes or another tobacco product. When the addicted body and mind run short on nicotine, they begin to crave it and will lash out in their own ways. Cutting back or quitting entirely are the primary causes of nicotine withdrawal. 

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Uncomfortable physical, emotional, and mental symptoms are all common. The good news is that the worst symptoms pass after a few days, and the others fade after a few weeks. The health benefits of quitting smoking, on the other hand, only grow and improve with time. 

What Science Says About CBD for Withdrawal Management

CBD has been studied for a while as a treatment for alcohol and cocaine withdrawal. Research on nicotine withdrawal is much more recent, but promising! CBD was shown to offset the physical signs of nicotine withdrawal in rats. This implies it wouldn’t affect the craving for a smoke, for example, but would soften or ease physical symptoms from quitting smoking.

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How do they think that happens? Let’s take a look:

• The endocannabinoid system, which CBD and nicotine both interact with, is sort of like a long hallway with a bunch of doors. 
• Having the right keys will unlock certain doors, which lead to specific bodily changes. 
• CBD can open some of the same doors that nicotine can, and can mimic its effects, tricking the body for a bit.

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In another study on CBD and nicotine withdrawal, mice were found to self-administer nicotine less. It also confirmed that CBD helped with somatic symptoms, like the study above. 

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All of this, combined with CBD’s other properties, gives us a good idea of its benefit for managing nicotine withdrawal.

5 Key Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms & How CBD Can Help

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Now that we’ve talked around the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, let’s get into the nitty gritty. We’ll also give some insight into how CBD might alleviate some or all of them.

1. Feeling Urges or Cravings to Smoke

Early on in the withdrawal, most people experience strong urges to smoke (or chew, or vape, whatever their nicotine source may be). These cravings can be powerful, but they usually pass after a few minutes. 

What can CBD do to help?

• Fill the void of the habit (e.g, smoking a CBD vape outside instead of a cigarette)
• Mitigate or appease the craving

2. Feeling Irritated, Jumpy, or Restless

Once the lack of nicotine really sets in, many people feel irritable and on edge. This is completely normal, so try not to worry. It’s worse for the first couple of days, and then will ease up as your body adjusts.

What can CBD do to help?

• Bring relaxation and lower stress
• Improve your mood, make you feel happier

3. Insomnia

Difficulty sleeping can start after a few days of nicotine withdrawal. This can lead to more exhaustion and irritability, and weaken the resolve to stay off nicotine. 

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Fortunately, CBD is known to fight insomnia.

What can CBD do to help?

• Make you feel more sleepy
• Increase relaxation and reduce feelings of stress

4. Change in Appetite

While initially it’s common to lose your appetite due to nicotine withdrawal, later on in the timeline things can flip. It’s common to go through these stages of feeling hungry or not being able to stomach the thought of food. 

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When you have a low appetite, CBD will help you feel hungry. If things change and you start feeling the need to snack all day, try CBD closer to meal times to feel hungrier when you actually want to be eating.

What can CBD do to help?

• Offset a low appetite
• Stabilize an inconsistent appetite

5. Feeling Sad, Anxious, or Depressed

Once the physical symptoms start to fade, and even a bit before, the emotional and mental effects of the withdrawal kick in. It’s ok and normal to feel low and anxious when you’ve given up nicotine. 

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CBD can help alleviate these feelings, but the most important thing you can do is be patient and empathetic with yourself.

What can CBD do to help?

• Improve your mood, make you feel happier
• Reduce feelings of stress and anxiety

Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline: When to Use CBD

Here’s a helpful guide to the general phases of nicotine withdrawal and which CBD products could best address the symptoms. 

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We split the recommended products into two types: immediate relief and long-lasting relief. For the early phases, the physical cravings and feelings of irritation and discomfort can be at their highest. 

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To fill the habit of nicotine use and quickly get the relieving effects of CBD, vapes or smoking flowers would be great during the first few days. For the latter phases, we recommend trying gummies or topical options like CBD oil or cream. These offer long-term coverage and can help break away from the smoking habit, too.

Big Milestones on Your Timeline

Hanging in there through the tough spots of nicotine withdrawal is a bit easier when you break it into smaller chunks. Forever is a long time, but one day? That’s doable. Then a week more? Only a little harder, but still possible. Especially with a bit of help from CBD. 

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With each milestone you pass, you’ll earn new health “rewards.” Here’s what to expect in your first year:  

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• Within one day, your blood will have less carbon monoxide and next to no nicotine in it, your blood pressure will stabilize, your heart rate will slow, and oxygen will flow more freely to your heart and muscles. 
• Within one week, your taste and smell should be making a comeback.
• Within one month, your circulation and immune function will improve.
• Within six months, your lungs will get rid of tar, dust, and mucus more easily, you’ll be hacking up a lung far less, and you'll likely feel less stressed overall.
• After one year, your lungs will thank you for making breathing feel easy again.

Shop CBD Products for Your Cessation Journey at Green Dragon

Whether you’re trying to break the smoking habit for the first or five-hundredth time, we believe high-quality CBD can help smooth out the journey. If you’re interested in trying out the product for yourself, Green Dragon can hook you up with whatever you need.

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We offer a huge selection of CBD products that can meet various health goals and budgets. If you’d like a helping hand for any reason, we’re here to answer your questions and find what you need. 

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Reach out for a free consultation whenever you want. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.