In a study from Washington State University, scientists found cannabidiol or CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, can inhibit the metabolism of nicotine.
This means it could help tobacco users curb the urge for that next cigarette.
The researchers tested the effects of CBD and its major metabolite on human liver tissue and cell samples, showing that it inhibited a key enzyme for nicotine metabolism.
For the nicotine-addicted, slowing the metabolism of the drug could allow them to wait before feeling the need to inhale more of it along with all the other harmful things found in cigarette smoke.
More research is needed to confirm these effects in humans and determine dosage levels.
Cigarette smoking is still a major health problem with one in five people in the U.S. dying every year from smoking-related causes.
While often seen as less harmful, many other nicotine delivery methods including vaping, snuffing and chewing also contain chemicals that can cause cancer and other illnesses.
In this study, the researchers tested CBD and its major metabolite, 7-hyroxycannabidiol, on human liver tissue which allowed them to focus on individual enzymes related to nicotine metabolism.
They found that CBD inhibited several of these enzymes, including the major one for nicotine metabolism, identified as CYP2A6.
Other research has found that more than 70% of nicotine is metabolized by this enzyme in the majority of tobacco users.
The impact of CBD on this particular enzyme appeared quite strong, inhibiting its activity by 50% at relatively low CBD concentrations.
In other words, it appears that people don’t need much CBD to see the effect.
The team is currently developing a clinical study to examine the effects of CBD on nicotine levels in smokers, measuring nicotine levels in their blood versus smokers taking a placebo over the course of six to eight hours.
Then, they hope to do a much larger study looking at CBD and nicotine addiction.
If you care about cannabis, please read studies that what you need to know about cannabis and heart attack, and CBD from cannabis may help inhibit COVID-19 infection.
For more information about cannabis, please see recent studies that medical cannabis could help reduce depression, and results showing this stuff in cannabis may protect aging brain, treat Alzheimer’s.
The study was conducted by Philip Lazarus et al and published in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.
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