VAPING AND CBD
By Dr. Frank Michalski
We are hearing a lot about the dangers of vaping nicotine and cannabis. In this article I am going to dive into the subject by first understanding why so many people are turning to this alternative delivery method.
Nicotine dependence and addiction is the most common form of chemical dependency in the nation. Research shows its equally addictive as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. Nicotine enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain faster than drugs that enter the body via our veins.
Nicotine can impact food metabolism, increase heart rate, increase blood pressure, and decrease vascularity/ tighten our veins.
Nicotine is a central nervous system stimulant. It causes our bodies to release chemical messengers (hormones and neurotransmitters) that affect different parts of our brain and body. One of those hormones is epinephrine, aka adrenaline.
The buzz from nicotine is an epinephrine release which increases blood pressure and heart rate. Nicotine also activates a part of the brain that releases dopamine (aka the feel-good/ happy hormone).
Upon inhalation, nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds. Over time you build up a tolerance to nicotine requiring more and more of it each time you want to feel that buzz.
According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, 27.5% of high School students and over 5 million youth are e-cigarette users. An increase of 135% among high school users.
70% of those that use nicotine want to quit, only 3% a year will succeed according to a Harvard Health Study.
Here Is How Smoking/ Vaping Nicotine Works
Nicotine will enter the body in the lungs. From the lungs, the nicotine will diffuse into the blood and then the brain. Once nicotine attaches to nicotine receptors in the brain (happens in 10 seconds or less), the reward pathway in the brain is activated. Upon activation of the brains reward center, a release of dopamine occurs, dopamine being the hormone that makes us feel good. Each time you consume nicotine it “hijacks” your brains reward pathway. Chronic use will lead to an increase in nicotine receptors. Eventually, your brain will rely on the activation of these receptors to feel good.
When you “quit” your brain and body will lack dopamine. This decrease in dopamine creates withdrawal symptoms. After about 12 weeks, the nicotine receptors will begin to decrease, resulting in decreased withdrawal symptoms. Your brains’ reward system will eventually return to the way it was before nicotine consumption.
THC Addiction & Black Market “Carts”
Anything that binds to receptors on the brain stem has addiction potential. THC binds directly to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain stem: therefore, it has addiction potential. In theory, THC also has toxicity potential as well.
It is generally accepted at the time that CBD does not have any direct binding potential to cannabinoid receptors. The lack of binding potential is why CBD is non-addictive and does not have concerns about toxicity.
THC addiction was not a conversation until recently. Neither was THC toxicity. With the emergence of DAB’s, DAB Carts, and other forms of highly concentrated THC, toxicity is quickly becoming a problem.
Ever heard of “greening out?” No? This is a new fad that involves consuming large quantities of THC, eventually leading to vomiting, nausea, and psychological impairment such as THC induce psychosis or dissociation disorder (sometimes chronic). This practice usually involves the usage of edibles or dab’s.
If you have been following the news, there have now been eight reported deaths due to vaping. What many people don’t know is the vape products involved were black market THC containing oils. The oil (vitamin E acetate) is not thoroughly vaporizing. The aerosol results in a buildup of liquid fat particles in the lungs possibly causing lipoid pneumonia.
Currently, it is advisable unless you know every detail about your vaporized marijuana oil or CBD oil, you should consider discontinuing use. Especially black market products.
We strongly recommend switching to a third-party tested, organic, domestically grown, full-spectrum, C02 extracted sublingual CBD oil.
If you have not looked into using CBD BioCare products, now would be a great time to do so.
Withdrawal Symptoms
It is crucial to understand when quitting high concentration THC, or nicotine withdrawal is a natural part of the detoxification process. Please be aware CBD has the potential to benefit each of these withdrawal effects.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
Cravings
Insomnia
Digestive system changes (nausea, vomiting, constipation)
Depression
Anxiety
Altered immune system function
CBD And How It May Help
Twenty-four smokers were given a placebo or an inhaler with CBD. The twenty-four people were split into two groups of twelve. One group received CBD; one group received a placebo inhaler. The study was carried out over seven days.
The study subjects were encouraged to use the inhaler each time they wanted a cigarette. Those receiving placebo did not change the number of cigarettes they smoked that week. In contrast, those treated with the CBD significantly reduced the number of cigarettes smoked in a day by 40%.
Results also indicated some maintenance of this effect at follow-up. This preliminary data, combined with the strong pre-clinical rationale for the use of CBD, suggests CBD may be a potential treatment for nicotine addiction that warrants further exploration.
But why did CBD Help?
Dr. Morgan, one of the researchers in this study, added that “CBD might mean these positive smoking memories are gradually erased,
- CBD has been shown to reduce cue-induced cravings. An example would be craving a smoke every time one has a cup of coffee.4 The cue that triggered the craving was the coffee. CBD modifies our memories and our response to those memories.4 What if you quite literally “forgot” you enjoyed smoking while drinking coffee??
- Various animal studies have shown that CBD has helped to lessen withdrawal symptoms.4,5 CBD decreases stress vulnerability. Many people relapse under stressful events or situations. CBD has been shown to reduce this stress response.
- In a recent study, heroin addicts were given CBD while quitting. Upon being exposed to “triggers,” those using CBD reported lessened cravings, an effect that lasted seven days post-CBD treatment.
*This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Frank Michalski and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Frank Michalski nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.
References:
https://www.swedish.org/classes-and-resources/smoking-cessation/nicotine-dependence-how-it-happens
https://www.quit.org.au/articles/nicotine-addiction-explained/
https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0394.pdf