People new to CBD and the hemp industry often confuse it with cannabis, which leads many to ask if CBD is addictive. Hemp is a cultivar or strain of cannabis with many similar properties, but two significant differences. Cannabis is the primary plant for THC products, whereas hemp produces top-quality CBD extracts without the high.
Research Shows CBD is Non-Habit Forming
Although the studies regarding any addictive properties of CBD are limited, they’re informative. A small, double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient 2016 study helped provide some answers. It took 31 frequent cannabis users between the ages of 19 to 49. Researchers used cannabis users for their experience and tolerance to cannabinoids. As explained below, these have similar properties.
Each participant received a dose of CBD varying from 0 for the placebo to 800 mg of CBD once per week over eight weeks. The research took place at three locations, Columbia University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of Kentucky.
The study produced excellent results. There were no serious adverse reactions to the products used. In the discussion, the report’s author writes,
“Overall, these data indicate that CBD, even at very high doses, does not produce any detectable effects in a sample of marijuana smokers and does not display signals of abuse liability.”
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) agrees. A 2017 report on cannabidiol, the full name of CBD, states,
“In an animal drug discrimination model, CBD failed to substitute for THC. In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.”
THC Vs. CBD
As mentioned, many people confuse hemp and cannabis strains, which means they also misunderstand the differences between THC and CBD. It’s easy to do. The plants and their respective compounds share many similarities.
For example, hemp and cannabis share potent fragrances, and they look alike. Also, THC and CBD have the same chemical formula, C21H0O2. Where they differ is found in the structure of the 21 carbon, 30 hydrogens, and two oxygen atoms.
Why is THC Different from the Other Compounds?
That’s a great question. Unfortunately, researchers are still working to understand precisely how different cannabis and hemp phytochemicals interact with the human body. They are aware that CBD binds to the TRPV1, a transient receptor. THC and the other cannabinoids mainly interact with the two primary ECS receptors, CB1 and CB2.
CBD & Withdrawal
Many items you take regularly has the potential to cause withdrawal issues. Case in point, people who drink coffee daily often have trouble functioning without it and even develop headaches when they attempt to reduce consumption. On a much stronger note, consumers that use nicotine experience severe withdrawal and often have trouble quitting because of the negative response from their body.
The final answer is important: CBD isn’t addictive or habit-forming, and it won’t produce a high. You can try it, use it for several weeks, months or years, and stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Instead, you simply won’t get the daily benefits of CBD when you are no longer using the products.