CBD for chronic pain
                     CBD FOR CHRONIC 
PAIN: THE SCIENCE 
DOESN’T REACH 
THE MARKETING
chronictherapy.com.au
HOW COULD CANNABIS OR CBD HELP PEOPLE 
WITH SUBSTANCE USE AILMENTS?
The two major cannabinoids in this plant are THC 
(tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the active part 
of the plant that creates the characteristic “high” feeling. Meanwhile, 
CBD doesn’t cause a high. 
• Both cannabis and CBD have been shown to help with some, but not 
all, of the symptoms of substance use disorders. Some of the most 
common symptoms of substance use disorders include:
• Difficulty controlling how much of a substance you use
• Social problems such as strained relationships or trouble at work
• Tolerance (needing more to get the same effect)
• Withdrawal symptoms when you stop using
• Risky use, such as continued use despite negative consequences
CRAVING AND CONSUMPTION
Cravings are decisive wants to use drugs or alcohol. They 
can be triggered by negative emotions. When someone 
has a craving, it can lead to using drugs or alcohol. Some 
important triggers for drug cravings are chronic pain, 
stress, and anxiety. Both cannabis and CBD are widely 
used to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. Because of this, 
experts are looking into whether they could help with 
cravings for other substances. 
WITHDRAWAL
If a person maintains operating a substance, they can develop a physical dependence on 
it. Then, if they take a break, they can experience a wide range of symptoms. 
These effects are known as withdrawal symptoms. Each substance has its pattern of 
withdrawal. Some common symptoms include poor sleep, irritability, and negative mood.
•Some of the most common opioid withdrawal symptoms are:
•Pain and body aches
•Nausea
•Anxiety
• Irritability
•Low appetite
Equivalent to opioids, nicotine withdrawal is what smokers feel when they quit using 
tobacco products. The withdrawal symptoms can be so unpleasant that someone will go 
back to smoking. A single dose of CBD is not helpful for nicotine withdrawal. But it does 
reduce some of the pleasantness of cigarettes, which may help people cut back. 
CAN CANNABIS AND CBD HELP YOU TAPER OFF 
OF OTHER IMPLICATIONS?
Periodically people have a difficult time thoroughly covering one substance 
for another. In this case, cannabis and CBD could still be used to lessen the 
doses of other substances such as:
Opioids
Benzodiazepines
Stimulants (methamphetamine and cocaine)
Alcohol
Essentially, cannabis helps to reduce the doses of other substances by 
giving people similar benefits with fewer problems. Just like drug 
substitution, dose reduction happens somewhat automatically, when 
people view cannabis as safer, easier to access, and more socially 
acceptable than other drugs.
CONCLUSION
Cannabis and CBD may help people reduce or stop using 
other substances by offering similar benefits with fewer 
risks. Cannabis may also reduce some withdrawal 
symptoms, and give people a way to cope with negative 
emotions during recovery. Cannabis use is not risk-free. 
But it may play an important role in harm reduction. It can 
reduce one’s chances of health complications, as 
compared to using other substances. Also, it doesn’t carry 
the same risk of fatal overdose as some substances do.
INFORMATION 
SOURCE
chronictherapy.com.au