Clinical Studies investigating CBD therapy as a treatment option to decrease Nicotine use

CBD treatments may have the potential to help reduce nicotine use.  Below are two preliminary studies that investigate this hypothesis.

Addictive Behaviors published in 2013 the first human pilot study to investigate cannabidiol as a treatment for nicotine dependence. The study randomized participants to either 1 week of ad-hoc CBD or placebo inhaler to be used when they had the urge to smoke. CBD reduced the number of cigarettes reportedly smoked by almost 40%, in comparison to placebo, but did not affect craving. Addictive Behaviors Journal Article

Another 2018 study published in Addiction is noted as the first study to investigate effects of CBD on nicotine withdrawal.  A single 800-mg oral dose of cannabidiol reduced the salience and pleasantness of cigarette cues, compared with placebo, after overnight cigarette abstinence in dependent smokers. Cannabidiol did not influence tobacco craving or withdrawal or any subjectively rated side effects. This study highlights the potential utility of CBD as a treatment for specific neurocognitive components of tobacco use disorder, and suggests that one potential mechanism by which CBD may exert its effects on addiction is via a reduction in the salience of drug cues. These results support the growing literature regarding CBD in the treatment of addictive disorders. Addiction Journal Article

Both studies demonstrated CBD use as either an inhaler or as an oral dose to decrease nicotine use however, it does not affect improvement in nicotine craving.