Nicotine addiction or what the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) refers to as Tobacco Use Disorder, is a serious life-threatening condition affecting millions of Americans and others around the world. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse or NIDA, among people in the U.S. 21 years of age and older, 22% or 61.6 million use tobacco products or vaping nicotine (1; 4). Although nicotine replacement medicines and other methods are used to quit smoking, researchers are looking into the impact that CBD may have on reducing or complete cessation of tobacco and nicotine use.
Tobacco Use Disorder
The DSM defines Tobacco Use Disorder as a pattern of tobacco use which is problematic and leads to significant clinical impairment or distress. It involves using larger amounts over a long period of time, a persistent desire and craving, and no success at cutting down or quitting. Use is continued despite physical and psychological harm and tolerance is likely to develop. Serious medical conditions like lung cancer and other types of cancers, cardiac and pulmonary disease, chronic cough and shortness of breath as well as accelerated aging of the skin are associated with tobacco and nicotine use (2).
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is the major pharmacologically active substance in tobacco products and e-cigarettes and is responsible for medicating dependence” (2). Nicotine metabolizes quickly and smokers adjust their tobacco use to achieve brain nicotine concentrations that keep them satisfied. An important pathway for nicotine is the oxidation of CYP2A6 to form the inactive metabolite, cotinine. Decreased levels of CYP2A6 is associated with less consumption of nicotine cotinine is an alkaloid found in tobacco and is the main metabolite of nicotine.
Methods & Medications Used to Quit Smoking
A number of “quit-smoking” prescription medications are available and are categorized as nicotine replacement medicines. These include patches, gum, nasal sprays, lozenges, oral inhalers and medications including Chantix and Wellbutrin. Some side effects such as weight gain or loss, fatigue, nausea, constipation, headache, strange dreams and changes in taste may occur.
CBD and Nicotine
A study was recently published by a group of researchers examining the impact of CBD and its active metabolite 7-Hydroxycannabidiol or 7-OH-CBD on nicotine metabolism. They discovered that CBD and 7-OH-CBD did inhibit CYP2A6-mediated nicotine metabolism through a complex biochemical cascade. In essence, CBD and 7-OH-CBD inhibit or reduce expression of CYP2A6 which oxidizes both nicotine and cotinine leading to decreased dependence on tobacco and other products or complete cessation (3).
Final Thoughts on CBD Helping with Nicotine Addiction?
Millions of Americans use tobacco and nicotine products. Many become dependent and continue to use these products despite negative physical and mental health outcomes. While there are a number of methods and medications that may help cut back or quit, one group of researchers believes that CBD and its active metabolite 7-OH-CBD can offer smokers an all-natural way to break their habit.
Sources
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/what-scope-tobacco-use-its-cost-to-society
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Firth Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing: Washington, DC.
- Nasrin, Shamena, et al. Inhibition of Nicotine Metabolism by Cannabidiol (CBD) and 7-Hydroxycannabidiol (7-OH-CBD). Chemical Research in Toxicology, 36:177-187, 2023.
- Han, Beth et al. Patterns and Characteristics of Nicotine Dependence Among Adults with Cigarette Use in the US, 2006-2019. JAMA Network Open, 6(6), 1-15, 2023.