The use of alcohol without control, when to stop or how much of it one can take in one sitting, is referred to as alcohol use disorder. If the behavior goes on for long, this disorder can disrupt the normal functionality of the brain, leading to some negative changes in the brain. In the long run, this makes it difficult for the affected individual to stop taking alcohol, even when they want to.
A reliable survey conducted in 2019 reveals that around 14 million people, above the age of 12 in the United States, suffer from alcohol disorders. However, the figure could be higher, given that some of them might not have the confidence to seek professional help due to the stigma associated with this condition. The survey goes further to reveal that out of those 14 million people in 2019, only 7.2% of them were able to receive professional treatment.
That aside, there have been recent interesting discussions going on concerning the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce the alcohol use disorder symptoms, while reducing the extent of the damage caused by the condition to the body.
Below, we take a look at the possibility of this discussion being true. Does it really work? Read on to find out more.
CBD Definition
CBD is a component of the famous cannabis plant. The plant is made up of various other components including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The two (CBD and THC) are referred to as cannabinoids and are the most readily available and retrievable cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
However, they both trigger different effects on their users, with THC having a more high effect than CBD.
Although the use of CBD related products have been on the rise in recent years, they are yet to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This could have made sense since CBD consumption is similar to that of regular prescription medicines being regulated by the board.
Because of the lack of proper CBD regulation, some sellers have mastered the art of duping CBD customers. For instance, some of them advertise other oils, such as hempseed as CBD oil. While it’s true that some parts of the hemp plant, such as the buds, leaves and stalks contain CBD. There is no trace of it in the seeds.
Can CBD Help Cure or At least Relieve Alcohol-use-related Liver Damage?
The most common consequence of excessive alcohol consumption is the damaging of the liver. This is because too much alcohol overloads the functionality of the liver forcing it to strain in its operations. Therefore, in the long run, one might be diagnosed with the alcohol-related-liver-disease (ARLD), which can eventually lead to liver failure or even worse death.
According to a trustworthy 2019 research, the use of CBD can significantly reduce the amount of alcohol people with alcohol disorder take in a day, which also prevents the occurrence of liver-related inflammations and damage. But this had to be taken in moderation because higher doses of CBD can also lead to liver damage.
Therefore, it’s evident that we need more research to ascertain the benefits of CBD use by people with alcohol use disorder, as well as its possible liver-damaging consequences.
While some people are already using CBD as part of their alcohol disorder treatment plan, there is a need for more scientific backed research, especially involving human beings, since the one mentioned above-involved animals. Therefore, currently, it’s best for you as an alcohol use disorder patient, to work with your doctor for the best treatment plan.
Some of the available treatment options include joining support groups, taking symptom curbing medications, and undergoing counseling.
Note: Also, it’s important to note that according to the 2018 Farm Bill, only hemp derived CBD products with less that 0.3% of THC are legal. Anything higher than this is considered as part of marijuana and is illegal in some state laws.