Addiction and Cannabis

Substance abuse and addiction is a concerning problem for humanity.

Is it possible that Cannabis could be the solution rather than the problem?

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Selfportrait under the influence of morphium.
Image credit: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Four full open access studies we think are worth considering examine the proposition that cannabis can assist in helping keep people from using psychostimulants, opioids and/or alcohol.

The first study is called, Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System: Vulnerability Factor and New Treatment Target for Stimulant Addiction. Modulation of the endocannabinoid system: vulnerability factor and new treatment target for stimulant addiction.
Olière S, Joliette-Riopel A, Potvin S, Jutras-Aswad D.
Front Psychiatry. 2013 Sep 23;4:109. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00109. Review.
PMID: 24069004 | Full article at PubMedCentral

The second article, is called, Therapeutic use of cannabis by crack addicts in Brazil. Therapeutic use of cannabis by crack addicts in Brazil.
Labigalini E Jr, Rodrigues LR, Da Silveira DX.
J Psychoactive Drugs. 1999 Oct-Dec;31(4):451-5.
PMID: 10681113 | Full article from Researchgate From the abstract;

"Throughout a period of nine months, the researchers followed up on 25 male patients aged 16 to 28 who were strongly addicted to crack, as diagnosed through the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), according to CID-10 and DSM-IV diagnostic criteria."

"Most of the subjects (68%, or 17 individuals) ceased to use crack and reported that the use of cannabis had reduced their craving symptoms, and produced subjective and concrete changes in their behavior, helping them to overcome crack addiction."

The third article worth considering is called, Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence.
Prud'homme M, Cata R, Jutras-Aswad D.
Subst Abuse. 2015 May 21;9:33-8. doi: 10.4137/SART.S25081. eCollection 2015. Review.
PMID: 26056464 | Full article from PubMedCentralThis article is a review of the available studies concerning CBD specifically. From the article conclusion;

"CBD is an exogenous cannabinoid that acts on several neurotransmission systems involved in addiction. Animal studies have shown the possible effects of CBD on opioid and psychostimulant addiction, while human studies presented some preliminary evidence of a beneficial impact of CBD on cannabis and tobacco dependence."
CBD has several therapeutic properties on its own that could indirectly be useful in the treatment of addiction disorders, such as its protective effect on stress vulnerability and neurotoxicity."

The fourth open access article is called, Cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs. This study found that 40% of participants reported using cannabis as a substitute for alcohol, 26% as a substitute for illicit drugs and 65.8% as a substitute for prescription drugs. Cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs.
Amanda Reiman. University of California, Berkley.
Harm Reduct J. 2009; 6: 35.
Published online 2009 Dec 3.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7517-6-35

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Addiction and Cannabis

Substance abuse and addiction is a concerning problem for humanity.

Further reading

Articles and editorials