Australian Study: CBD Restrains Meth Addiction in Rats

Australian researchers have added another study to the growing body of research on CBD and reversing drug addiction. In this study, CBD curbed the desire for methamphetamine and helped prevent relapse. While not as prevalent in America as opioids, meth use is still an issue, and more so in Australia. Since the study was released, the researchers have received testimonials from individuals who tried CBD in light of the study, with some reporting it is effective.

CBD May Help With Methamphetamine Addiction

A study conducted by researchers from Macquarie University and the University of Sydney has found that CBD can reduce the desire for methamphetamine in rats and the risk of relapse.

This is one of the latest studies in a growing number that supports CBD in reversing drug addiction.

In this study, researchers trained 32 rats to self-administer methamphetamine using a lever. The rats would pump the lever hundreds of times per hour.

After this first phase, researchers gave the rats CBD in three progressive dosages: 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg.

When taking 80 mg of CBD, the rats showed a reduced motivation to take meth; however, the lower dosages were ineffective.

The study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, concluded that this was a novel finding.

“This is the first demonstration that cannabidiol can reduce the motivation to seek and consume methamphetamine, and suggests that cannabidiol might be worth trialing as a novel pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence,” states the conclusion of the study.

Several other studies have noted CBD’s potential for attenuating drug addiction.

The cannabinoid may also be useful for addictions to alcohol, cocaine, morphine, tobacco, opioids, and even cannabis.

Researchers also want to perform a clinical study on humans due to the result, something that is lacking in CBD research.

Methamphetamine Use

Methamphetamine use in the United States is not as prevalent as opioids and some other drugs, but nearly 600,000 people 12 and older used meth in 2013 (roughly 0.2% of the population).

In 2016, 1.4% (approx. 340,000) of the Australian population had used meth in the last year.

People use meth because it provides a euphoric sensation by increasing dopamine to the brain.

However, meth can have several adverse health effects.

Short-term effects of meth include both physical and mental consequences.

Physically, meth can increase heart rate and blood pressure, produce an irregular heartbeat, cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, and, potentially, induce cardiovascular collapse or stroke.

Mentally, meth may cause irritability, paranoia, and hyper-aggression.

Long-term effects include brain damage, psychotic behavior, mood swings, delusions, and violent behavior or thoughts.

Meth Treatments

Currently, only psychological therapies exist to treat meth addiction, which makes finding CBD as a potential treatment option significant.

After the researchers published their study, one of the researchers mentioned he had received stories from individuals who started taking CBD because of the study.

h/t Weedmaps