When we think of addiction, we usually immediately think of drugs, alcohol and controlled substances. But there are plenty of other things that can lead to addition. Caffeine, nicotine, texting and even sweets can be considered addictive.
But what about CBD? We know that many people turn to CBD for its reputation for leaving users feeling calm and relaxed, but could this feeling become addictive? And if you decide to stop taking CBD, is it possible you could experience the symptoms of withdrawal?
In this guide, we’ll look at what causes addiction, whether or not you could become addicted to CBD oil, and if you could experience withdrawal when you stop using CBD.
What is addiction?
There’s still a lot we don’t know about addiction, but one thing is certain, it isn’t simply a case of a lack of willpower or poor choices. Around one in three people have some kind of addiction, so it is a lot more common than you might think.
Addiction occurs when substances or behaviour change the way we experience pleasure. Pathways in the brain are hijacked and what starts as a voluntary behaviour soon becomes involuntary.
It’s important to understand there is also a difference between addiction and dependence. Addiction occurs in the brain, but dependence happens when the body becomes physically dependent on a substance.
The body adapts to the presence of the substance or behaviour and adjusts to accommodate it. So, when the substance or behaviour is taken away, the body is physically deficient and the person experiences withdrawal symptoms.
Since CBD is extracted from hemp and cannabis plants, you might be wondering if it has the capacity to become addictive.
So, is CBD addictive?
The very short answer to this question is no, you can’t get addicted to CBD oil or other CBD products. While addiction to THC is rare but possible, there isn’t enough THC in legal CBD products to elicit the same response.
CBD does not produce a euphoric high and it is non-intoxicating, which means that it isn’t changing the way your brain experiences pleasure in the same way that THC does.
What happens if I stop taking CBD?
Since you cannot become addicted to CBD, you can stop taking it at any time without worrying about withdrawal symptoms. Your body will not become dependent on the substance, so you won’t notice any changes if you choose to stop taking it.
We recommend that individuals take CBD for at least 30 days in order to give it a chance to get to work in your body. If you decide it isn’t right for you and want to stop taking it, you can do so without worry or concern.
CBD doesn’t change the way your endocannabinoid system works, it simply helps to support your ECS to function effectively. So, the worst you can expect is that your body will continue to function as it did before you started taking CBD.
If you do feel like you need to take CBD and feel anxious without it, it’s time to ask some questions about the contents of the product. Reputable suppliers will all provide lab reports which tell you exactly what is contained within your CBD product. If you don’t have access to this information, there is a chance you could be using a product which contains unsafe (and illegal) levels of THC. Always stay with a reputable and trusted CBD supplier, such as Love Hemp, to eradicate any risk of ingesting unwanted ingredients!
