CBD for THC Withdrawal / PAWS

Dear Foggy,

I think you've done a good job of researching what you were about to try. IMHO, what you are doing is similar to the MAT that has been used successfully for decades to treat heroin abuse. Saboxone (SP?) and Methadone work in much the same way, by taking away the withdrawal symptoms without making the patient "high." Even cooler is that more and more people recovering from heroin/opioid addiction are finding relief in CBD, without the side affects or toxicity of other opioids.

But the most amazing thing that makes CBD preferable to the other MAT offerings is that CBD is the ONLY one that actually helps heal the brain. If you can have healing AND significant relief from withdrawal, I cannot possibly judge you for trying it. I hope it helps you in both ways, and that your recovery is quickened by it

Hi MJN,

Thanks for the post. The way CBD interacts with the brain is really fascinating stuff. CBD is kinda like an Anandamide Reuptake Inhibitor, and I've learned that OXYTOCIN uses Anandamide to do it's thing. Unlike THC it makes people *less* anxious and *more* sociable. All that AND it has neuroprotective properties!

For me, CBD has a meditative effect, it calms my mind and gives me the sense that 'everything is going to be okay' which helps with PAWS immensely.

And, as you alluded to with MAT, CBD can be used as a valuable stepping stone for those getting off just about any drug.

Ironically, I think the effects of CBD is kinda what we all wanted out of smoking pot, decreased anxiety, peace of mind, sense of well-being, enhanced creativity, etc...

But we smoked high THC weed and got hooked on the DOPAMINE instead, which really screwed up our brain chemistry. Without the flood of dopamine that THC causes, and with a brain that has 'forgotten' how to make it's own, there really seems to be no reward in life. Slowly, over time, reward seeking behavior will return and with it, a more normal amount of dopamine production.

But, in the meantime, I've found CBD, along with diet, exercise, and social contact really helps.

Hi

I would like to offer my experience of this. I bought some of the shelf in a local pharmacy here in the UK a coupld of days ago after having done a little bit research. It caught my attention last year and I had intended to try it in the past to help me quit but as my decision to quit came unplaned this time I decided to get the first 4 weeks out of my system first. To put my quit into perspective I stopped THC and Nicotine (mainly NRT but cigarettes too) together 29 days ago. I have smoked for over 25 years and been a fully daily user for 99% of that time. At least 20 years of that usage has been high THC grade skunk so its fair to say my mind is a little overwhelmed by the sudden change

I have had ups and downs with my quit to date, not as extreme as the other stories I read on here by any means but I have been feeling a little anxious at times and mild states of depression. The first week or so was fairly easy barring a few sleepless nights. At the time I put all negative feelings down to nicotine withdrawal not weed but I think more recently the reality has kicked in a little. The main issue is when I have felt stressed out for whatever reason I have no more nicotine and mainly THC to use as an escape. I am not drinking alchohol and havne't used and type of other medication to date.

The CBD I bought is not very strong and to be honest the whole strength and dosage side of things is pretty confusing so I thought I would try the weak one first and see what happened. It is an oil and I put a few drops in my coffee. The results were noticeable and nice, I can't really explain it very easily but its like being stoned but not being stoned. Vague and ambiguous as that sounds its what its like. I felt calmer than I have done for weeks and a sense of natural pleasant feeling, not euphoric just relaxed and relieving. I used it the next day in a small dosage and got the same effects.

I don't agree with replacing one substance with another which is why I haven't turned to booze or gone to the doctors for synthetic happy pills! This CBD is branded all over the internet as a health supplement and the documented benefits make it attractive to anybody, not just recovering weed addicts so if it does make the experience of quitting easier then I say try it.

I have found little to no negative press about it at all and no evidence to suggest its addictive (which the afore mentioned definately are). Its not a miracle cure sure there is no such thing but my own experience which in the end is all I can on and offer others was a positive one.

JJ

Hi, I a became new member but I've been visiting this forum for a while. It's been more than one year and half that I left mj but still suffering PAWS.I'm quite tired to have to deal with depression and my social life is quite poor (I think because of that). I'm also looking for some relief for all the sympoms and I think CBD could be an option.. I'm almost alone and before quit I was more or less fine.. My live has become pretty poor in several aspects.. Sorry about my english. I'm not using it for long time..
I've tried to paste some interesting urls that talk about withdrawal with CBD but this formun doesn't allow me to do it jet. If anyone has any experience treating PAWS with cbd (in any format) I will be very pleased. Regards!

Lithium,

If you are experiencing any progress in recovery, then I do not recommend using CBD. Tell us more about yourself , did you quit smoking anything else or quit drinking coffee/tea/alcohol? Are you eating 3-5 meals a day, exercising and trying to sleep the same time everyday? Are you meeting friends everyday? Are you meditating everyday?

If you have answered no to even one of the above the questions, you're not doing the basics to recover faster and CBD is not the option you need right now.

HI, it’s been already 18 months since I left my weed consumption. I apologize about my english. It’s been a lot of time since I don’t use it and it is a bit rusty.
Well, I did want to write down something about my actual condition but I’ve never decided to do it.
I used to grow weed and that meant that I had as much weed to take as I did want. So It was a risky way to become an adict and that was. I was a heavy smoker for 12 years and I started when I was 21.
I was a quite good guy with a very active social activity. But, since I got 28 approx. I began to isolate myself more and more till I started to becoming an antisocial person. I didn’t want to see anyone till the point to be almost completely isolated. I hardly got out from home unless to go to work twice a week. I worked at a pub on weekends. BUT, even on that circunstances, I felt to be happy about myself. I enjoyed a lot with my solitude and then I decied It was the time to leave mj.
I have to say weed helped me a lot during a very chaotic process that I passed through that I would say it was a existential crisis. I refused to take any benzos or ansiolitics, so in that case, I found on weed a warm friend to deal with that. It lasted about 2 years.
When I decied to leave weed, now 1’5 years, I passed through all the symptoms heavt users use to tell. Imsomnia, nightmares, swing mood, lonliness, etc. The first year was awful dealing with all I described. But well, now I’m feeling better but I still pass through cyclical PAWS that leaves me knockout during 1 or 2 weeks. When It happens I just want to stay in my room quiet but with recurring thoughts of death or suicide. And yes, you’ll say that when it happen you’ll recommend me to get out and stay with some Friends, etc. But, at least for me, staying at home chillin is the best when PAWS comes to visit me.
I don’t smoke tobacco, nor coffee, no sodas; I eat properly vegetables, fruits and good food. Not sugar or junk food. I do trekking. I work in a pub on weekends (and yes, I’m also make new Friends but only during weekends).
When I’m on under PAWS sometimes I take a beer or a glass of wine (one glass, 2 max.). I’m not undercovering withdrawal with any other drug.
And even with all I described I still suffer PAWS and sometimes is hopelessnees.. So, that’s why I was thinking using cbd oil (0% THC) maybe could helps to deal with PAWS.
First of all, thank you all very much. Without this forum, I couldn’t be here after one year and half clean.

OMG, we are in the same page, this jan I will be 2 years free of weed, this has been such a horrible time, I still have some good days , but as you said sometimes recuring thoughts of mostly dead in my case, I'm not suicidal yet! I guess??, I was in Zolof for like 14 month in very low dose, but I don't think it helped, 2 month ago I stopped the zolof, ohhh man what a hell we go through, I'M NOW ALSo SEARCHING FOR THE CBD OIL, SINCE MY SLEEPING PATTERN HAVENT IMPROVED AT ALL, I have terrible insomnia, People noticed that i'm getting older and older very fast, my face looks restless, I look tired and exhausted all the time... I try to go work out But the next day all my joint hurt because I do not get into the deep seeping, I stay mostly the time in REM, which does not help the body to recuperate, I'm trying some supplements now it seems a little help, I will give a try to the cad oil in the next few weeks, is natural so thats will be my last resource to stay natural, if it doesn't work then I will have to take this seriously and go to looks for a good psycriastry!! I just don't like to accept the idea that I do have a mental problem, maybe it was underlying and my weed addiction was covering all this time or maybe it result of the abuse of weed for so many years... The problem right now is that I don't have peace of mind, racing thoughts make my days miserable... but after 2 year I'm still here in this fight thinking that I will get better,,, maybe one day

Requimfordream wrote:OMG, we are in the same page, this jan I will be 2 years free of weed, this has been such a horrible time, I still have some good days , but as you said sometimes recuring thoughts of mostly dead in my case, I'm not suicidal yet! I guess??, I was in Zolof for like 14 month in very low dose, but I don't think it helped, 2 month ago I stopped the zolof, ohhh man what a hell we go through, I'M NOW ALSo SEARCHING FOR THE CBD OIL, SINCE MY SLEEPING PATTERN HAVENT IMPROVED AT ALL, I have terrible insomnia, People noticed that i'm getting older and older very fast, my face looks restless, I look tired and exhausted all the time... I try to go work out But the next day all my joint hurt because I do not get into the deep seeping, I stay mostly the time in REM, which does not help the body to recuperate, I'm trying some supplements now it seems a little help, I will give a try to the cad oil in the next few weeks, is natural so thats will be my last resource to stay natural, if it doesn't work then I will have to take this seriously and go to looks for a good psycriastry!! I just don't like to accept the idea that I do have a mental problem, maybe it was underlying and my weed addiction was covering all this time or maybe it result of the abuse of weed for so many years... The problem right now is that I don't have peace of mind, racing thoughts make my days miserable... but after 2 year I'm still here in this fight thinking that I will get better,,, maybe one day

Well, insomnia is on the warninglabel of Zoloft. Just saying. I got some of the more rare wierd sideeffects of SSRi`s.. You sure it is the withdrawal still, not the zoloft that has kept you in this state? Lexapro brought all the PAWS symptoms back, when the doctor put me on low doses of it. And it took months to get back to normal after I got off them.

I told my doctor to get me off the SSRi as fast as posible and told her to be more carefull with the drugs she pushes.. She got insulted..

I've been keeping an eye on this thread, and I'd like to add my 2 cents.

I agree with ashthewarrior,
I don't think the use of CBD is a good idea, without first taking a wide look at lifestyle, eating, and other habits that have a greater effect on well-being. Even then, being normal person involves Ups and Downs. Advertisements tell us we need to be 'healthy' and good feeling all the time, it's not true.

The 'No Dopamine in CDB' argument, i think is bs. Taking CBD could still encourage relapse to smoking weed again. You can easily become reliant on it.
Take gambling addiction for example, there is no 'substance' involved, but your body gives itself a shot of dopamine as a reward. The Use of CBD, after a hard day, or just wanting to take the easy way out could easily become a habit, next thing you know; you're convinced you can't be relaxed without this medicine. (I understand the use of CBD's for chronic pain users etc'). However i don't think that goes for many of the weed users on this forum.

Reading the comments on this thread, just seems like there is a lot of trying to justify what you really want to believe, and pushing your own agenda. There are some people that may read this thread, and may not help recovery in the right direction.
As much as i'd like everything to be easy, and take a pill no matter how natural or 'harmless'. Isn't that why a lot of us started smoking pot in the first place?
I think there is still good future benefits to saying: i'm strong enough to take the ups and downs and let me it make me stronger. Because the Benefits of being clean of weed greatly outweighs the cons. It's only going to get easier.
There's also a lot of focus and discussion on the cons and downs in this forum. There are so many ups that go unspoken, taking a moment to notice them is worth it.

Bagobones wrote:

Requimfordream wrote:OMG, we are in the same page, this jan I will be 2 years free of weed, this has been such a horrible time, I still have some good days , but as you said sometimes recuring thoughts of mostly dead in my case, I'm not suicidal yet! I guess??, I was in Zolof for like 14 month in very low dose, but I don't think it helped, 2 month ago I stopped the zolof, ohhh man what a hell we go through, I'M NOW ALSo SEARCHING FOR THE CBD OIL, SINCE MY SLEEPING PATTERN HAVENT IMPROVED AT ALL, I have terrible insomnia, People noticed that i'm getting older and older very fast, my face looks restless, I look tired and exhausted all the time... I try to go work out But the next day all my joint hurt because I do not get into the deep seeping, I stay mostly the time in REM, which does not help the body to recuperate, I'm trying some supplements now it seems a little help, I will give a try to the cad oil in the next few weeks, is natural so thats will be my last resource to stay natural, if it doesn't work then I will have to take this seriously and go to looks for a good psycriastry!! I just don't like to accept the idea that I do have a mental problem, maybe it was underlying and my weed addiction was covering all this time or maybe it result of the abuse of weed for so many years... The problem right now is that I don't have peace of mind, racing thoughts make my days miserable... but after 2 year I'm still here in this fight thinking that I will get better,,, maybe one day

Well, insomnia is on the warninglabel of Zoloft. Just saying. I got some of the more rare wierd sideeffects of SSRi`s.. You sure it is the withdrawal still, not the zoloft that has kept you in this state? Lexapro brought all the PAWS symptoms back, when the doctor put me on low doses of it. And it took months to get back to normal after I got off them.

I told my doctor to get me off the SSRi as fast as posible and told her to be more carefull with the drugs she pushes.. She got insulted..

I'm looking forward for this to finish, I'm tired to being restless and fatigue,,, I wish I just could get some more time into deep sleeping cycle and feel refreshed next day... I don't know if it was the zolof but so far I haven't see much improviment in my sleep, I have 2.5 month since I quit the zolof

I’m living proof CBD IS NOT the way to go for reducing symptoms of PAWS. CBD is a Direct component of THC. All CBD does is satisfy that need your brain is searching for. Since many cannabis strains already contain CBD your brain recognizes that familiar chemical and is thus satisfied with whatever it can get. However in the long run you’ll find yourself right back where you left off. I’m not opposed to CBD, I feel it has some amazing healing properties when used correctly. I just know it should never be used as an aide to cannabis withdrawal. Stay clear of everything related to marijuana and any and ALL DRUGS. Time is THE ONLY true healer my friends. There is no fast track around this thing. Sure, there maybe some natural NON THC related things out there that may help along the way. But I can assure you it is not CBD. Stay strong and let the body do what God has already designed it to do. Heal itself.

God Bless

I'm also conidering using CBD..any updates Foggy Noggin?

I have tried CDB, the guy promised it has zero % THC. I didn’t get High but I felt like eating—same feeling after weed. I took it for few days and realize I was looking forward to it...like I wanted to get home to take it. I end up throwing out..I can not replace one addiction with another.

I suppose if it works and is safe then why not.