What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Cannabinoids are the active components found in that plant and can be turned into a variety of different products.

CBD helps to maintain homeostasis, or balance, in the body. It also improves natural functions due to its ability to interact with our endocannabinoid system. CBD has the potential to help with a myriad of different issues including, anxiety response, stress, sleep cycle, pain, mood and more. There is also evidence that CBD can reduce cravings.

Can CBD Help Me Quit Smoking?

Quitting smoking is a difficult thing to overcome. Symptoms that come with stopping smoking like anxiety and depression, poor sleep, headaches, lack of focus, nausea and irritability make it hard for those trying to quit. CBD may help with these withdrawal symptoms from nicotine addiction, making quitting much easier. High quality edible products like gummies and tinctures can provide the aforementioned benefits, but smoking CBD may also be beneficial.

Making the Switch

Smokable CBD products can substitute for cigarettes while quitting. A large part of addiction comes from habit, the hand-to-mouth motion of smoking may be just as hard to overcome as the dependency to nicotine. Finding an alternative to use in place of cigarettes may be quite valuable for some people. CBD is safer than cigarettes and by smoking CBD via vapes or hemp flower, you are not only helping with the habit but also getting many other health benefits.

The perfect product for making the switch is URB's Hydro CBD Disposable. The THC-Free buzz is comparable to a light cigarette buzz, and can be used as a way to quit smoking cigarettes.

Is CBD Safer than Smoking Cigarettes?

Cigarettes are full of harmful chemicals, some of which are called carcinogens meaning they are known to cause cancer. Some of the common chemicals, listed on the American Cancer Society website are:

• Nicotine
• Hydrogen Cyanide
• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Arsenic
• Radioactive elements, such as polonium-210
• Benzene
• Carbon monoxide
• Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

All of these chemicals contribute to the many harmful effects of cigarettes. The leading cause of preventable death comes from smoking cigarettes. In the US, one in five deaths are from cigarette smoking, translating to more than 480,000 deaths.

• Smokers are more disposed to developing cancers and other diseases.
• Smokers are more likely to develop respiratory problems and lung disease. 85-90% of COPD cases are due to smoking.
• Smokers are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

How CBD is Better than Smoking Cigarettes

CBD is proven to be safe to use, unlike cigarettes which are known to cause disease. CBD products do not contain nicotine. Additionally, CBD is not addictive. According to the World Health Organization, “CBD is not associated with abuse potential”.

Another benefit of CBD is that it has a lower monthly price compared to smoking cigarettes. The average cost for a pack of cigarettes in the US is $6.65. This means that a pack-a-day smoker would be spending about $186 a month on smoking. CBD products have a range in price, but for comparison let’s consider the cost of a month of gummies; A 30-count bottle of gummies costs as little as $59.99. Switching to CBD is an investment in your overall health; mitigating the potential for disease from smoking and the added cost of treating such issues.

One additional perk is that CBD has a better taste and smell, especially if you’re going for a fruit-flavored gummy. There are also many other options to pick from. Below is a list of potential products to consider.

Choosing a product

Different CBD products can be used in conjunction with each other:

• Edibles, like gummies
• Tinctures (oils)
• Capsules
• Vaporizing liquid cannabinoids like CBD
• Smoking hemp in the from or a joint, or out of a glass piece

A gummy, tincture, or capsule can be used daily not only to help you stop smoking, but enrich your overall health and well-being. Gummies take time to digest but stick around in the body for longer. Most tinctures are absorbed under the tongue and are faster acting. Tinctures can be used up to three times a day, which is nice for individuals who want to split up their dose. These edible products are great when used as a daily supplement and are most beneficial when used regularly. For the fastest relief, a product like a water-soluble tincture or smokable might be added whenever anxiety or cravings start to bother you.

Regardless of what someone picks, consistency is key. If you are unsure of what product is right for you, don’t be afraid to reach out to us with any questions you may have. Let us help you!

My name is Amber. I am a cannabinoid consultant and columnist for Happy Trails. I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology, I enjoy learning about things I have passion for, and my family lovingly calls me a “human encyclopedia”.

References

American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Harmful Chemicals in Tobacco Products. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/tobacco-and-cancer/carcinogens-found-in-tobacco-products.html#:~:text=Cigarettes%2C%20cigars%2C%20and%20pipe%20tobacco,burning%20tobacco%20and%20its%20additives

CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Critical Review Report. (2018, June 4). WHO | World Health Organization. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 30, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/copd/basics-about.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm

Julia, N. (2021, October 10). How Can CBD Oil Help You to Quit Smoking Cigarettes? CFAH. Retrieved October 30, 2021, from https://cfah.org/cbd-oil-for-quitting-tobacco/#:~:text=Cigarette%20quitters%20can%20use%20CBD,less%20susceptible%20to%20cigarette%20cues

Kandola, A. (2021, October 13). How can you manage your COPD symptoms? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/copd-management

Werner, C. (2021, July 29). CBD Oil for COPD: Evidence and Research. Healthline. Retrieved October 30, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/cbd-oil-for-copd