So you’ve made CBD a part of your nightly wind-down routine. You add a couple of drops of your favorite tincture to your sleepytime tea. After emptying the dishwasher, your shoulders drop. The day’s weight lifts from your shoulders. Suddenly, you realize just how much you look forward to this moment every night. You begin to wonder– am I addicted to CBD?
Is CBD addictive?
If you’ve asked your favorite AI chatbot whether CBD is addictive before, you’re already ahead of the game. You’re right to be cautious and thorough about anything you consume daily. Cloud City is Silicon Valley’s top CBD store. We’re committed to educating the CBD-curious on real science and research data– not a sales pitch. Without further ado, let’s get into today’s topic: Is CBD addictive?
Short answer: No, CBD is not addictive
On its own, CBD is not considered addictive. According to the World Health Organization’s drug dependence researchers, pure CBD shows zero potential for abuse or dependence. To add, a clinical trial published by the National Library of Medicine found that users experienced zero symptoms of withdrawal after abruptly stopping consumption.
In 2018, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence conducted a critical review of pure CBD, which recommended against adding CBD to the list of substances under international drug control. The review confirmed cannabidiol lacked psychoactive properties and showed no potential for abuse or dependence. This had major ripple effects for the first FDA-approved CBD medication, which was originally placed under the list of controlled substances, then later descheduled entirely in 2020.
Importantly, there are 100-125 known extracts (cannabinoids) derived from the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two primary extracts. Although they share overlapping user sentiments, they differ in one notable way: THC is a psychoactive compound, and CBD is not. However, many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, which is why Cloud City encourages shoppers to read the certificate of analysis (COA) for any CBD product they purchase.
What does “addictive” actually mean?
The term “addictive” is tossed around loosely these days, and it’s imperative we understand the scientific definition instead of assuming it alludes to something you do or expose yourself to every day. For example, taking a shower is personal hygiene, not an addiction.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is characterized by patterns such as compulsive seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-term changes in the brain. Signals of these patterns can include cravings, overconsumption, failed attempts to reduce usage, increased tolerance, and symptoms of withdrawal upon stopping. Scientists also measure something called abuse liability, which indicates how strongly the substance affects the user’s body. Abuse liability is how addiction is measured and what essentially paves the way for misuse and dependency.
What about CBD products that contain THC?
Because THC is a psychoactive substance, there is an associated risk of addiction. According to studies by NIDA, cannabis use disorder affects an estimated 22-30% of heavy cannabis users. These reports note that heavy users who stop can experience symptoms of withdrawal, namely irritability, anxiety, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and decreased appetite.
That said, these findings were applicable to heavy users only– the same cannot be said for responsible consumers who enjoy THC in moderation, nor for CBD products that contain trace amounts of THC. However, if you want to avoid THC completely, always check the COA and look for CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD products.
Pro-tip: Check out our CBD FAQ 101 page, or visit our downtown Campbell store for personalized guidance from one of our expert budtenders.
Does CBD have side effects?
Just because it’s not addictive doesn’t mean there are no caveats. CBD has varying effects on individuals. For a thorough read of all the potential outcomes of CBD use, check out our CBD safety 101 blog.
Key CBD safety rules Cloud City swears by
- Read the COA before you buy any CBD product. We can’t emphasize this enough! Verification from a third-party lab about the product’s contents should be available on request– period. If your retailer pushes back or doesn’t have these, leave and head over to Cloud City immediately.
- Choose CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD products to avoid THC.
- Start low and go slow = our motto! Check out our handy CBD dosage guide for more pro tips on choosing products. Microdosing CBD is also a great way to dip your toes into the experience!
- Talk to your doctor first. Particularly if you take other daily medications that CBD may interact with.
Disclaimer: The statements in this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and do not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
