If you use CBD, the chances are that you use tobacco products too. According to this study [1], some 90% of young cannabis users in the UK also smoke cigarettes.
While smoking is an entirely personal — albeit unhealthy — choice, you should know that using nicotine in conjunction with other drugs can interfere with their effectiveness. Tobacco smoke, in particular, is known to alter the pharmacologic response to many medications, influencing their absorption, metabolism, distribution, or elimination by the human body.
Given all that, it is worth investigating whether CBD can be used interchangeably with nicotine. Can you quit tobacco and replace it with CBD instead? Do they have the same effects, and does CBD interfere with the effectiveness of other drugs to a similar extent?
How Similar Are CBD and Nicotine?
The two substances have similar effects on the brain. Both nicotine [2] and CBD can reduce stress and anxiety, boost your mood, and improve cognitive function. Unlike CBD, however, nicotine is highly addictive, and the sense of calm it induces is relatively short-lived — it only lasts until you start craving that next cigarette.
What’s more, nicotine use is associated with a number of unpleasant side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Migraines
- Heartburn
- Mouth, throat, and tooth pain
In contrast, not only is CBD non-addictive, but it could also help reduce anxiety and depression, relieve pain, and improve your overall health including hair loss or growth and other skin issues.
Furthermore, there is growing evidence that CBD may be effective in treating nicotine addiction and dependence. A 2013 study found that subjects who were instructed to inhale cannabidiol whenever they felt the urge to smoke were able to decrease the number of cigarettes they smoked by around 40%.
What Is the Best CBD Oil?
With so many CBD brands on the market right now, it can be hard for consumers to find a high-quality product that offers good value for money, comes from a trusted manufacturer, and suits their unique needs.
To help you out in your search for the best CBD product for you, here is our selection of the top five CBD oils money can buy.
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Royal CBD
Royal CBD’s oil boasts an excellent 4.6/5 rating on AmericanMarijuana.org, and with good reason. The brand is well-known for its high quality, transparency, and dedication to raising CBD awareness. On the flip side, their product range is still somewhat limited, and they aren’t exactly the cheapest ones out there. However, their oil is worth every penny and comes with a money-back guarantee.
Read more: What Are the Best Brands of CBD Oil for ADHD?
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Gold Bee
Gold Bee’s full-spectrum organic CBD oil packs in all the beneficial ingredients of the hemp plant, including terpenes, cannabinoids, and polyphenols, for maximum health benefit. And if oil is not quite your cup of tea, you can also check out Gold Bee’s gummies, capsules, and our absolute favorite honey sticks infused with organic honey harvested from the Brazilian rainforest!
Read more: Best Brands of CBD Oil for Seizures
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Endoca
Founded way back in 2010, Endoca is one of the oldest CBD manufacturers. Their premium full-spectrum CBD oils are available in both strong and medium concentrations and contain a host of beneficial Phyto-compounds and co-nutrients, inducing terpenes, flavonoids, omega-3, and vitamins D and E. In addition, all Endoca products are 100% vegan, kosher, and gluten-free.
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PlusCBD
PlusCBD is also among the pioneers of the US CBD scene. The brand offers everything from full-spectrum drops and gummies to topical creams, sprays, and roll-ons. All their products are organic, third-party verified, and fully traceable from seed to shelf. PlusCBD is also one of the few companies that test its products for efficiency in human clinical trials.
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CBDistillery
CBDistillery was founded in 2016 by Colorado natives passionate about all things CBD. The company soon grew to become one of the leading CBD brands in the US. Their MCT-enriched oils are available in five different potencies and are among the most affordable ones on the market. However, as of yet, CBDistillery’s products are not certified organic.
CBD and Nicotine: The Bottom Line
While both CBD and nicotine may uplift your mood, their effect on your brain chemistry and physiology is profoundly different. Nicotine is highly addictive, notoriously difficult to give up, and comes with a host of undesirable side effects.
In contrast, CBD is non-addictive and non-psychoactive. What’s more, a growing body of evidence indicates that it may have numerous health benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and effectively treating the symptoms of a number of health conditions. All that makes CBD an effective and even superior alternative to nicotine and tobacco use.
So, the next time you feel the urge to reach for that cigarette — remind yourself of the effects of CBD and nicotine and pop a CBD gummy instead!