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American Grown and Processed
American Grown and Processed
In November 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that according to scientific research, CBD shows no evidence for abuse or dependence potential. Furthermore, the WHO concluded there is no evidence for public health-related problems associated with CBD use. In January 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from its list of prohibited drugs that athletes are banned from using.
This announcement is in stark contrast to THC, the psychoactive and addictive component of marijuana (cannabis), which is a Schedule 1 substance on the DEA’s Controlled Substances Act due to its potential for abuse. THC causes an increase in the neurotransmitter dopamine in the reward areas of the brain. This is the underlying cause of the addictive potential of THC and marijuana, as all drugs of abuse increase dopamine release. It appears that THC increases dopamine levels through its actions at the CB1 receptor. Thus, because CBD blocks the CB1 receptor, it does not have the same effect on dopamine levels and is thus not addictive.
To further demonstrate the non-addictiveness of CBD, researchers have actually looked at brain cell activity in the reward centers of the brain. CBD does not increase the firing activity of dopamine neurons and thus does not have inherent rewarding properties. Thus, on a cellular level in the brain, CBD is incapable of inducing addiction.
It has been well documented that smoking marijuana (cannabis) increases abuse liability, mainly due to the fact that it contains THC. After smoking marijuana, users rated that they had felt a “high”, felt a drug effect, were willing to take the drug again, and felt more mellow. When the same group of people were given CBD by itself, they reported none of these measures even at the highest dose tested (an 800 mg single dose), again illustrating that CBD has a low potential for abuse.
In conclusion, CBD not only has an excellent safety record, but it is non-addicting. In fact, CBD may have the ability to help treat substance abuse and addiction! Read more here!
