[[{“value”:”
A new study suggests that a single dose of CBD may reduce alcohol cravings and lower activity in the brain’s reward center, providing the first clinical evidence that this cannabis compound could help with alcohol use disorder.
In a study published in Molecular Psychiatry journal this month, researchers from the Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine at the University of Heidelberg in Germany analyzed how CBD impacts alcohol cravings and brain activity in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound from cannabis.
The study found that a single 800 mg dose of CBD taken orally was effective in reducing alcohol cravings.
This dosage equals roughly 9.7 mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight, depending on the individual’s weight.
The 800 mg dose was selected based on other studies that showed that higher doses like this are more effective in reducing alcohol cravings compared to lower doses.
Although there are many treatments for AUD, a condition where people struggle to control their drinking despite negative consequences, these treatments often fail to prevent relapses, researchers said.
Preclinical research has shown that CBD may be promising due to its potential to reduce cravings, stress, and compulsive behaviors.
But while animal and laboratory studies suggest that CBD could help reduce cravings and stress related to alcohol use, the authors of this study said there is a lack of human clinical trials for AUD.
How CBD Can Help Lower Alcohol Cravings
To fill this gap, they conducted the ICONIC trial, which stands for Investigation of the Effects of Cannabidiol on Cue-Induced Alcohol Craving and Nucleus Accumbens Activation.
This trial examines how CBD might influence alcohol cravings triggered by cues and affect brain activity in the nucleus accumbens, or NAc, a region tied to reward and addiction, which was specifically targeted because its activation is strongly linked to cravings and relapse risk.
Researchers selected 28 people, aged 18 to 60, with mild to severe AUD.
Participants were divided into two groups: one group received 800 mg of CBD, while the other was given a placebo, and took part in various tests, including stress and alcohol-cue exposure, where they viewed alcohol-related images or were placed in an environment resembling a bar.
Their alcohol cravings were evaluated through questionnaires, while brain activity was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a non-invasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures, especially the brain.
Those who received CBD reported notably lower cravings during both stress and cue exposure compared to the placebo group.
“Individuals receiving CBD showed lower bilateral cue-induced NAc activation… and reported significantly lower alcohol craving after a combined stress- and alcohol cue exposure session,” the study reads.
The reduction in NAc activity is important because this part of the brain helps control cravings and reward-seeking behavior. Lower activity in the NAc is linked to fewer cravings and a lower chance of relapse, making it a key focus for treating AUD.
“Individuals receiving CBD showed lower bilateral cue-induced NAc activation… and reported significantly lower alcohol craving after a combined stress- and alcohol cue exposure session,” the study reads.
Higher CBD levels in the blood were also associated with reduced cravings and less activation in the nucleus accumbens, indicating a dose-dependent effect.
No adverse effects were reported, supporting CBD’s potential as a safe treatment option.
Researchers, however, highlighted several limitations to this study, including that it focused on a single dose of CBD, so the long-term effects are still unknown.
Also, the sample size was small, and most participants were not actively seeking treatment, which may not reflect the experiences of individuals with severe alcohol use disorder who are looking for help.
Additionally, the results may not be broadly applicable, as the sample was relatively homogeneous.
“Presented results can thus not answer the question, whether CBD’s effect in AUD are robust over time,” researchers said, who called for larger confirmatory trials.
Nevertheless, this study offers early evidence that CBD may help reduce alcohol cravings and alter brain activity related to addiction in individuals with AUD.
“}]] A new study shows that a single dose of CBD may reduce alcohol cravings, offering the first clinical evidence that it could aid in treating alcohol use disorder. Read More
