Solutions to public health problems, such as the opioid crisis and addictions, might be right under our noses.
Recent research has shown cannabis can help curb alcoholism and cocaine addictions. The Daily Mail reports researchers gave rats cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD.
CBD is a cannabis compound, similar to THC, which provides the benefits of medical marijuana without the psychedelic head high.
A number of conclusions were made from the research. Rats who consumed CBD, which is known to reduce anxiety and stress, were less likely to relapse five months later. Notably, researchers pointed out that the chemical’s ability to minimize impulsiveness was significant.
The study was conducted by Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.
The legality of CBD is confusing, especially amid the revival of the War on Drugs by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Trump. CBD is legal in the United States if it’s acquired from industrial hemp; however, CBD is not legal if it’s acquired from THC-concentrated cannabis.
Other benefits of CBD, according to Healthline, include relief for chronic pain, acne, and cancer-related symptoms. It can also be used to treat diabetes, neurological conditions, and heart problems.
Access to medical cannabis seems to be an essential part of the equation to make the results work. This recent evidence follows similar conclusions made about how cannabis can reduce opioid use and abuse in states with exceptional medical cannabis programs.