We have all heard the horror stories of the harmful effects of cigarettes on our health and the dangers of secondhand smoke. But just because we know that smoking can kill us, doesn’t mean we’re able to quit cold turkey on our own. In fact, roughly 68% of smokers make several attempts before finally kicking their habit for good, and only 8% are successful after their first attempt at quitting. Scroll down and read on to why you should consider kicking your smoke habits with CBD!
Emotional Benefits
We are all aware of the connection between smoking and elevated stress and anxiety.
Due to CBD’s ability to help you relax and chill out, you may notice a decrease in negative feelings about smoking.
Since you’ll be more aware of your emotions when using CBD, you can catch yourself getting angry or upset before it turns into an unhealthy habit like smoking.
This will also allow you to calm down and change your thoughts if they start becoming too much for you. Over time, it’s possible that you won’t even feel any need to smoke at all!
What Are The Health Benefits Of CBD?
CBD contains antioxidants and neuroprotectants that reduce damage caused by free radicals throughout your body.
When taking CBD, you may experience reduced pain from inflammation and decreased levels of anxiety.
Furthermore, research has shown that combining CBD and THC can produce effects that are stronger than taking each compound alone.
For this reason, if you decide to take cannabis for its health benefits, mixing both is obviously suggested.
Also, check out the potential health benefits of CBD for older adults here!
What Are The Side Effects Of CBD?
The most common side effect of CBD is tiredness.
You’ll likely feel drowsy or a little out-of-it when taking CBD at first, so make sure you take it at night before bed or in the morning before work so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily activities.
This will also help prevent any unwanted feelings of paranoia and anxiety as well.
In addition to tiredness, some people experience dry mouth, diarrhea, and changes in appetite or weight (either loss or gain).
These effects are mild and tend to lessen over time as your body gets used to CBD.
If they become too uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about reducing your dosage.
Physical Benefits
Studies have shown that CBD may be able to help ease nicotine addiction.
Cannabidiol is known to suppress addictive behavior, which is why some smokers find it easier to quit using cannabis.
The same study also found that cannabidiol reduced withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and irritability when reducing smoking.
So if you’re still battling cravings, try adding a little cannabidiol to your daily routine—it might just help you stay smoke-free!
But, of course, always consult with your doctor before starting any new treatment or supplement.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
The key ingredient in cannabis that acts as an appetite stimulant and increases our hunger sensation is called THC, tetrahydrocannabinol.
This compound has been well studied for its ability to stimulate hunger and therefore increase food intake in animals.
In fact, THC can cause up to double what we would normally eat.
But not all cannabis contains high levels of THC – one variety actually contains none at all: hemp.
Cannabis sativa L is the parent plant of hemp, however, unlike marijuana, hemp has a THC content of less than 0.3 percent, meaning that it has no psychotropic effects.
A lot of people turn to hemp oil for their health benefits such as improved digestion, pain relief, and even weight loss.
When it comes to weight loss, research shows that ingesting CBD can reduce abdominal fat accumulation in mice.
It does so by increasing adiponectin – a protein hormone that regulates glucose metabolism and fatty acid breakdown in fat cells.
It also boosts leptin sensitivity (leptin is another hormone responsible for regulating appetite).
One human trial showed that CBD increased lean body mass while decreasing fat mass during caloric restriction.
Another clinical trial revealed that CBD helped dieters lose weight more effectively than those who didn’t take any supplements.
And lastly, animal studies show that cannabinoids like CBD can decrease appetite by activating serotonin receptors in our gut.
Since serotonin plays a role in regulating mood and happiness, these findings suggest that cannabidiol could potentially improve mental health too.
Other potential side effects include dry mouth, low blood pressure, and lightheadedness after consumption – although these should subside within an hour or two.
Why do I need to quit smoking?
Each year, an estimated 480,000 deaths are directly attributed to smoking.
That is why a growing number of smokers are looking for ways to quit.
The best way to quit smoking long-term is through proper support and guidance.
One of these alternatives could be Cannabidiol (CBD).
While it’s not a magic pill that can instantly cure nicotine addiction, it can help minimize withdrawal symptoms and support your chances of success in quitting smoking efforts.
This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about CBD and how it can help you finally kick your smoking habit for good.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD as it’s commonly known, is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants.
In fact, research suggests that most strains have significant amounts of THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) and little to no CBD at all.
However, some strains contain high levels of both THC and CBD together.
Since these strains include more than simply THC and CBD, they are known as full-spectrum or broad-spectrum strains.
How does CBD works?
When consumed, cannabinoids like CBD attach themselves to specific receptors located throughout our body called CB1 receptors.
These receptors play a role in regulating mood, pain sensation, appetite, memory, sleep cycles, and more.
Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids which activate these same receptors when we consume cannabis.
By supplementing with CBD from hemp, you can increase its natural effects on your body without getting high.
As mentioned earlier, CBD is non-psychoactive and won’t get you high since it doesn’t bind to these receptors in your brain.
It simply attaches itself to other parts of your body such as cells in your immune system and central nervous system instead.
How does it work?
Much like THC, CBD attaches to receptors in your body that regulate neurotransmitter release.
And if you’re thinking, Well of course it does! you should know that not all cannabinoids have these effects.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of them. Another well-known cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD).
CBD is one of 113 different naturally occurring chemical compounds called cannabinoids that are found in cannabis.
The human body actually produces its own cannabinoids.
In fact, scientists believe that endocannabinoids may play a role in regulating sleep and immune function among other things.
But unlike many other phytocannabinoids, CBD has no psychoactive properties whatsoever. In other words, it won’t get you high.
That said, there are plenty of reasons why people might want to use CBD oil for health purposes or even just for general wellness.
Is there anything else I can do?
Every smoker is different and what works for some may not work for others.
If you’re interested in trying to quit smoking, there are several things you can do.
Most people who want to kick their nicotine habit try an over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy like patches or gum.
Nicotine replacement products (NRTs) relieve cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms like irritability, headaches, and restlessness that may make it harder to quit smoking.
It’s important to use NRTs according to package directions.
The FDA recommends using NRTs as part of a comprehensive plan that includes support from family members, friends, and health care professionals—and a strong desire to quit.
It’s also important not to smoke while using any type of nicotine replacement product because they don’t protect against secondhand smoke exposure—which increases your risk of heart disease and lung cancer.
In addition to prescription medications, many states offer telephone quit lines staffed by trained counselors who provide free advice and support.
If these methods fail, ask your doctor about medications that can help you stop smoking.
Some drugs reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms; others block receptors in your brain so that nicotine doesn’t affect them anymore.
Just a reminder that you must utilize these medications under a doctor’s care.
