CBD for Alcohol Cravings

CBD FOR ALCOHOL CRAVINGS

Alcoholism Defined

To no one’s surprise, alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the US. One in eight of us are text-book alcoholics and less than ten percent ever receive treatment. We Americans watch 88,000 people die every year because of alcohol.

In 2017, 70 million Americans were arrested for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Tragically, on an average day in America, 30 die in an alcohol-related car accident and six die from alcohol poisoning.

Much of our affinity for alcohol can be seen in our teen years – more than 90 percent of addicts started to drink alcohol or use drugs before they were 18 years old, while Americans 18 –25 are most likely to use addictive drugs. Parents need to be aware and proactive when they recognize an issue.

CBD for Alcohol Cravings

The therapeutic properties of CBD are not fully understood, though a significant amount of research is underway. With CBD, you have an uncommon situation where a body of very positive anecdotal and user experiences has outpaced the research. This makes the results no less real, however.

It’s generally believed that CBD binds to and balances a system of neurotransmitters throughout the body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A balanced ECS helps return your body to equilibrium. Bringing your body back in to equilibrium helps stabilize important bodily functions from sleep to mood to addictive cravings.

As alcoholics, our brain’s circuitry is out of whack. By balancing the body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD is believed to help get that circuitry back in alignment.. By minimizing drug cues it can help break the psychological bridge that rewards addictive behavior and, in turn, reduce sufferer's alcohol-seeking behavior. For this reason, CBD can play an important part in a broad approach to getting sober.

In current research examining CBD and its potential to help with alcoholism, experts have observed that this natural compound can inhibit that part of the brain, usually activated by alcohol, as well as drugs and tobacco.

Exact Nature’s top two selling products are: Detox capsules and Detox CBD Oil. These products exist to help people who want to cut down on their use of intoxicating substances. This is a tangible step that people are taking to address this issue, and the high repeat purchase rate tells us the products are helping.

Will CBD work for me?

More research is forthcoming, buts it’s widely accepted that CBD binds to receptors in the brain and throughout the body called the endocannabinoid system which can bring the body back into balance or equilibrium. A balanced ECS can steady important bodily functions like sleep, mood, pain sensation, and addictive impulses.

What's the difference between CBD, THC, cannabis, marijuana, and hemp?
It can get confusing. Here’s a primer. Hemp and marijuana both derive from the cannabis plant. The primary difference is their chemical composition. They’re cousins, so to speak.

Marijuana contains high levels of THC, cultivated to produce a “high,” and has only a small amount of CBD. Hemp, on the other hand, is where most CBD, including Exact Nature’s, comes from. Hemp-derived CBD is rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, with only a very small amount of THC (less than 0.3% by law).

So, marijuana can get you high while hemp cannot. Exact Nature’s CBD is derived solely from hemp. To go a step further, Exact Nature removes the THC from its products. Exact Nature’s CBD is “broad spectrum.” This means we took out the THC but kept all the other helpful cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Does CBD work on addiction?
As alcoholics and addicts our brain circuitry is out of whack. CBD helps get that circuitry back in alignment. Tests show CBD helps minimize drug cues and, with it, break the psychological bridge that rewards addictive behavior.

It’s thought that CBD stimulates the brain’s serotonin and dopamine receptors and curtails drug-seeking behavior. As such, CBD can play an integral part in a broad approach to getting sober. Many medical professionals and addiction specialists understand this and increasingly use CBD in their addiction management protocols.

Does CBD work on addictive cravings?
CBD has received a lot of attention for its potential to help with treating drug and alcohol abuse. Researchers believe the key is CBD's capacity to regulate the body's dopamine receptors. They believe CBD helps with cravings by reducing the anxiety and stress related to drug cues and by mediating the brain’s anti-depressant activity responsible for cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. The occurrence of relapses also declines.

Exact Nature’s Detox products are offered for addictive cravings. Detox products combine CBD with other natural ingredients for alcohol, drug, and nicotine cravings.

Does CBD help with alcohol use disorder (AUD)?
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a natural, non-intoxicating substance derived from the hemp plant. Research has shown this non-psychoactive cannabinoid holds great potential in helping with the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.

Recent studies have shown that CBD may help by:

Reducing cravings for alcohol
Helping to reduce and manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Addressing the symptoms or conditions that contribute to substance abuse (A person's genes, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and environmental stress can all be factors.)
Improving overall well-being by helping people reach homeostasis thereby becoming less likely to seek out addictive substances and behavior

CBD can help reduce cravings and minimize the pleasure experienced from addictive substances. If CBD tanks the joy you associate with drinking alcohol, it becomes more manageable to cut back on your drinking.

Is CBD oil safe for recovering addicts?
CBD is safe for people in addiction recovery, or for just about anyone for that matter. It is non-addictive and non-intoxicating, leaving little chance for abuse.

Some people in the recovery community pooh-pooh the use of CBD to quit abusing substances. They see it as a crutch and unnecessary if the individual is just disciplined enough to stop.

We understand this POV, but respectfully disagree. CBD offers a healthy path to sobriety, so why not take full advantage of it? Exact Nature products contain premium-grade CBD and ingredients long used to help curb addictive cravings. Why not give it a fighting chance to help you?

But all CBD is not created equal. You need to take care to buy CBD from a reputable seller. A quick test is to be sure the seller provides third-party lab test results of their products on their website.

CBD by law cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC. To go the extra mile, however, Exact Nature removes the THC from its products out of an abundance of caution and a healthy respect for our customers.

A cautionary note for people in recovery – it’s essential to maintain a very distinct line between using CBD—with no psychoactive properties—and marijuana products with the high-inducing ingredient THC. Using CBD is likely to be debated in the recovery community for the near future, so avoid it if you feel it would imperil your sobriety.

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