This article was originally published on Cannabis.net and appears here with permission.
Although the risks of smoking cigarettes are so well known, it is surprising to see that so many people still smoke these nasty sticks.
According to the CDC, nearly 13 out of every 100 adults in the United States are current smokers, which translates to about 30.8 million adults. All diseases associated with smoking are preventable, especially lung cancer. Smoking kills 8 million people every year, so why don’t more people quit?
Well, to be blunt, quitting smoking is not easy at all. It contains nicotine, an extremely addictive substance that makes quitting cigarettes much easier said than done. In fact, many people compare the difficulty of quitting cigarettes to an addiction to heroin or cocaine. Also, when you do get around to quitting smoking, the withdrawal symptoms are hellish at best: from headaches to mood swings, irritability, high blood pressure, trouble sleeping, and extreme cravings, everything about cigarettes is so hard to stop. .
But are hemp CBD cigarettes the answer?
What are hemp cigarettes?
Hemp cigarettes are just like your regular cigarette, except they contain no nicotine or tobacco. Instead, it’s made from high-CBD strains or industrial hemp. Hemp that is made from the sativa cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC is legal in the US, making it easy to get and won’t get you high.
CBD or hemp cigarettes are great for quitting smoking because they give you a nicotine-free alternative that will make you feel like you’re smoking a regular cigarette. It also helps address the oral fixation that accompanies smoking. But more than just the oral fix, there have been numerous studies documenting CBD’s success in treating nicotine addictions among cigarette smokers.
Many find smoking hemp cigarettes to be a great quitting tool, perhaps even the best one out there. In a 2015 study, 24 cigarette smokers were asked to take CBD by inhalation whenever they felt the urge to smoke while one group received a placebo. This lasted for a week, after which the researchers found that people consuming CBD ended up consuming about 40% fewer tobacco cigarettes. Given the low success rate of other cessation tools, this was great news after a week. Meanwhile, those who received placebo had no difference in the number of cigarettes smoked. Because of this, the study authors suggest that CBD is a good candidate for treating nicotine addiction and is worth investigating.
Then in 2020, a study of 700 people revealed that 42% of subjects were successful in abstaining from cigarettes when using CBD. They also found that both long-term and short-term use of CBD was effective for quitting, especially for those aged 25 to 35. “CBD appears to be 1.2 more effective in young adults than in their older counterparts. While about 47% of participants, aged 25-35, easily abstained from smoking after using CBD for a month,” writes Dr. Ivan Green.
CBD reduces cigarette cues and addictive behaviors
One of the hardest parts of quitting smoking is the cigarette cues, which are things you find around you that stimulate the trigger to smoke. This may be the urge to smoke a cigarette whenever you normally would, such as first thing in the morning, after a meal, or when you see someone smoking.
In a 2018 study, taking CBD orally may be successful in helping smokers experience fewer triggers by neutralizing the cue response. The study involved 30 tobacco smokers, who were told they should not smoke for 12 hours. They were then given an 800 mg dose of CBD oil, while others were given a placebo. After 12 hours, the researchers found that cigarette cues were reduced among those taking the CBD oils. They also had reduced systolic blood pressure.
CBD is also known for its relaxing properties, which are effective in treating the anxiety associated with quitting smoking. Because it can help you calm down, taking a puff is healthier than ever and you can use as much as you need to get off the tobacco.
Quit smoking today with CBD hemp cigarettes
If you’re open to giving it a try, you might be surprised at how effective hemp CBD cigarettes are for smoking cessation.
This solution may not be what everyone wants or needs, but if oral fixation and addictive cues are what you struggle with when quitting smoking, this might help. Hemp cigarettes not only give you an authentic cigarette experience, they also roll you professionally. They are a natural source of CBD and all its therapeutic properties, plus they are not harmful or addictive.
There are dozens of different hemp cigarettes on the market to choose from. Most of them will probably be made with industrial hemp, but don’t expect the delicious wet smell that marijuana is known for. Before buying a pack, look for a manufacturer’s certificate of analysis (COA) so you know exactly what’s in each cigarette. Read reviews online, do your ingredient research based on the COA report, and buy from reputable brands. There are different strengths and purities as well as a wide variety of flavors and brands that you can enjoy.
In addition to being able to quit smoking, hemp cigarettes can also improve your overall mood, sleep, focus, and suppress your cravings.
There is no reason not to try hemp cigarettes today to kick the nasty habit once and for all.
