USA: Cannabidiol (CBD) can help you quit smoking, reveals Washington State University study

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the cannabinoids found in Cannabis Sativa, may reduce nicotine addiction and help you quit smoking altogether, reveals a new study. study, carried out by researchers from the Washington State University, in the United States of America. In the study, researchers tested the effects of CBD on samples of liver tissue and human cells and found that it inhibited a key enzyme responsible for nicotine metabolism. 

Slowing down nicotine metabolism may allow smokers to hang on longer before they feel the need to consume more nicotine again, thus reducing intake of harmful components of cigarette smoke.  

Although there are other methods of administering nicotine, often considered less harmful, such as vaping: snuff and chewing, any of which still contain chemicals that can cause addiction, cancer and other illnesses.  The most recent investigation carried out by the Washington State University suggests that “cannabinoids may inhibit nicotine metabolism, potentially affecting addiction and smoking cessation”.

Several people worldwide have reported that they have replaced tobacco with hemp flowers or CBD-rich cannabis strains and that this has helped them to reduce addiction, smoking or simply quit smoking.

The importance of cannabis metabolites
In this study, researchers tested CBD and its main metabolite, 7-hyroxycannabidiol (7-OH-CBD), in human liver tissue microsomes and specialized cell lines that target individual enzymes related to nicotine metabolism. 

Washington State University. Photo: DR | WSU

Researchers found that CBD inhibited several enzymes, including the main one for nicotine metabolism, identified as CYP2A6 (CytochromeP2A6), responsible for metabolizing more than 70% of nicotine in most smokers. CBD inhibited the activity of this enzyme by 50% at relatively low concentrations. 

While more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans and determine appropriate dosage levels, these results are promising, according to the study's lead author, Philip Lazarus, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at WSU. 

Cannabis to reduce tobacco harm
Professor Lazarus explained the importance of these findings in order to reduce dependence and its side effects on health. “The ultimate goal is to reduce the harms of smoking, which come not just from nicotine itself, but from all the carcinogens and other chemicals found in tobacco smoke. By minimizing this damage, we can significantly improve human health,” says Professor Lazarus. 

CBD could therefore be a promising aid to quitting smoking and reducing the damage caused by smoking-related illnesses. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans and to determine appropriate dosage levels. The ultimate goal is to reduce the harm caused by smoking by minimizing the ingestion of harmful components found in cigarette smoke. 

WSU and Penn State Cancer Institute team up to investigate more about CBD
The Lazarus team, which includes Shamema Nasrin, Shelby Coates, Keti Bardhi, and Christy Watson da WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesAs well as Joshua Muscat, do Penn State Cancer Institute, is currently developing a clinical trial to examine the effects of CBD on nicotine levels in smokers. The researchers plan to measure nicotine levels in their blood versus smokers taking a placebo over six to eight hours. Once the trial is complete, they hope to conduct an even larger study of CBD's potential in nicotine addiction.