How CBD Vaping Can Help Quit Nicotine?

Tobacco smoking is very harmful to health. Fortunately, people now realize the health risks posed by tobacco smoking, and smoking rates are declining globally. However, it still remains a considerable problem. In the UK, about 14% of adults smoke [1]. So, people want to know how CBD can help quit nicotine.

Smoking harms health in multiple ways. It produces toxic gases like carbon monoxide, resulting in inhalation of tar and, of course, nicotine. Excessive consumption of nicotine is particularly bad for vascular health. Thus, smoking increases the risk of respiratory disorders, cancer, peripheral vascular diseases, and even heart disease.

People use vaping to quit smoking. In fact, it is one of the recommended ways for heavy smokers [2].

Many people switch to vaping. However, they often start vaping using nicotine-rich e-juices. This kind of vaping is much less harmful than cigarette smoking. Nonetheless, it is still detrimental to health. Any amount of nicotine is unsafe for health. Therefore, it is vital not only to quit smoking but also quit nicotine.

To understand how CBD vaping may help, we must understand various aspects of nicotine addiction. Nicotine smoking is a habit; however, it is also a physiological dependence. Nicotine use results in some brain changes. Thus, nicotine withdrawal causes many symptoms like mood changes, irritation, gastrointestinal motility alterations, lack of concentration, and much more [3].

Therefore, to overcome nicotine addiction, we must overcome the habit and manage the signs and symptoms of nicotine dependence.

CBD vaping can help in multiple ways:

• It is a healthier habit than nicotine smoking or vaping.
• It may help counter neuropsychiatric symptoms of nicotine dependence.
• It may lower the severity of nicotine withdrawal syndrome.
• It may work by influencing CB1 and CB2 receptors, thus improving homeostasis or balance of various activities in the body.
• It may work as a bliss molecule anandamide and thus enhance the feeling of well-being.
• It may also help by enhancing mood, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep quality.

So, does CBD vaping work? And what does the science say?

Of course, CBD is not a remedy. Nonetheless, preliminary studies suggest it may help lower tobacco smoking and help overcome nicotine addiction [4].

Primary evidence suggests that CBD may help quit smoking or nicotine. Most of its benefits might be due to its influence on the brain. Although the exact mechanism by which it helps quit nicotine is poorly understood, it is clear that it helps in multiple ways.

Apart from all the reasons mentioned above, one should understand that one of the ways of getting rid of bad habits and dependence on harmful substances is by adopting healthier habits. CBD vaping might not be entirely safe, but it is much safer than tobacco smoking or nicotine.

To sum up, CBD vaping is widely recommended as one of the healthier options to nicotine. CBD vaping may be an even healthier option to low nicotine vapes or even nicotine edibles. It is vital to understand that nicotine is harmful in any amount, whereas CBD has multiple beneficial health effects, though it might have few adverse effects. 

1. State of Smoking in the United Kingdom [Internet]. Found. Smoke-Free World. [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://www.smokefreeworld.org/health-science-research-2/health-science-technology-agenda/data-analytics/global-state-of-smoking-landscape/state-smoking-united-kingdom/.
2. Vaping to quit smoking - Better Health [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 22]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/.
3. Benowitz NL. Nicotine Addiction. N Engl J Med. 2010;362:2295–2303.
4. Morgan CJA, Das RK, Joye A, et al. Cannabidiol reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers: Preliminary findings. Addict Behav. 2013;38:2433–2436.