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Studies Find Cannabis Effective Aid To Quit Cigarette Smoking

Written by Alexandra Hicks

There is no longer any doubt that cigarettes are bad for your health, and you’d be hard-pushed to find a medical professional in the world who would refute that fact.

It’s amazing to consider that up until roughly 40 years ago, cigarettes were considered to be non-toxic and even healthy. Back in the 1950s and beyond, it was perfectly normal for people to smoke harsh, filterless cigarettes on the bus, in a restaurant, or even at home in the living room. Such practices are frowned upon today, and rightfully so.

Back then, doctors had no idea that tobacco smoke, and that includes secondary inhalation, caused some of the worst cancers, emphysema and other respiratory issues. These days, just about everyone, including even smokers, know how bad the cancer sticks are, and try to give up.

A relatively new study, carried out by University College London, found that CBD, a compound in cannabis, can help to reduce tobacco addiction. 40% of participants in the study reduced their cigarette smoking when given CBD, administered via an inhaler.

The researchers said that cannabis helps reduce the body’s craving in several ways. Celia Morgan, Ph.D., who co-authored the study, told reporters, “We found that CBD seems to reduce the salience of cues. It also can reduce anxiety and may affect a memory process called ‘reconsolidation,’ which is where when a memory of the reward of smoking is re-activated by seeing someone smoking, it is rendered vulnerable to destruction.”

Another, more recent study, carried out by Philippe Lucas and Zach Walsh, published in April 2017 in Canada, also found that in many cases, cannabis can help smokers to kick their cigarette habit. The study observed 271 people, and what happened when they took medical cannabis as an alternative to tobacco, alcohol and painkillers.

An excerpt from the study notes that, “Findings include high self-reported use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs (63%), particularly pharmaceutical opioids (30%), benzodiazepines (16%), and antidepressants (12%). Patients also reported substituting cannabis for alcohol (25%), cigarettes/tobacco (12%), and illicit drugs (3%).”

These studies are certainly good news for smokers wanting to quite, especially if the alternative they use is 100 percent safe, natural and organically grown.

[Image credit- Pixabay]

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About the author

Alexandra Hicks

Managing editor at Cannadelics and U.S based journalist, helping spread the word about the many benefits of using cannabis and psychedelics.