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Opioid
Use
Disorder
Clinical research
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2024: In people quitting injectable opioids, cannabis helped to reduce cravings & anxiety
“Smoking weed it gets you over the hump”: Cannabis co-use as a facilitator of decreased opioid use among people who inject drugs in Los Angeles, California
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724624000416
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2024: A survey found that people can reduce opioid usage with cannabis
Does cannabis use substitute for opioids? A preliminary exploratory survey in opioid maintenance patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38502206/
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2024: In people in early recovery from opioid or stimulant addiction, the benefits of cannabis substitution
"Everything is kind of the same except my mind is with me": exploring cannabis substitution in a sample of adults in early recovery from an opioid or stimulant addiction
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38643152/
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2024: A survey of people with opioid use disorder found strong interest in using CBD
Use and perceptions of Cannabidiol among individuals in treatment for opioid use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39020418/
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2024: In people with opioid use disorder using methadone, THC altered their attention towards opioid cues
A preliminary investigation of the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on pain and opioid attentional bias among persons with opioid use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38991269/
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2023: A survey of chronic pain patients on how cannabis may be an off-ramp from prescription opioids
Offering an Alternative to Persons with Chronic Pain: How Access to Cannabis May Provide an Off-Ramp from Undesired Prescription Opioid Use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37484046/
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2023: A survey of people who use opioids find that they feel cannabis is helpful for reducing their opioid usage
Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use unregulated opioids during a drug toxicity crisis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37481875/
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2023: In 10 people with opioid use disorder, one dose of 600 milligrams of isolated CBD significantly reduced cue-induced craving as well as attentional bias towards drug related cues but no effects on the other outcomes examined
Impact of cannabidiol on reward- and stress-related neurocognitive processes among individuals with opioid use disorder: A pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37065899/
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2023: In people using methadone for opioid use disorder, THC provided pain relief
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol modulates pain sensitivity among persons receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder: A within-subject, randomized, placebo-controlled laboratory study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37644897/
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2023: In AJEM, a case report of a patient with opioid use disorder who greatly lowered their medication usage, including prescription opioids, using a combination of CBD & THC
Case Report: Cannabis Substitution Therapy for Prescription Opioid Detoxification
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2023: Shaw & Marcu case report on CBD for acute opioid withdrawal
Case Report: Cannabidiol in the Management of Acute Opioid Withdrawal
https://ajendomed.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Acute-Opioid-Withdrawal.pdf
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2022: A survey of people with substance use disorder who used CBD found that it helped them to sleep better, relax, reduce pain & feel less anxious
Cannabidiol use among patients with substance use disorders
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14659891.2022.2120425
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2022: In older medical cannabis users, CBD oils are the most common type being used & people report them helpful for pain, sleep, mood, a reduced use of opioids & a reduced use of benzodiazepines
Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Canada: Self-Reported Data on Types and Amount Used, and Perceived Effects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34940961/
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2022: A survey of medical cannabis users finds their most prevalent reasons for use to be pain, sleep, headaches/migraines, appetite, nausea, anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance addictions & psychosis
Prevalence and self-reported reasons of cannabis use for medical purposes in USA and Canada
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35020045/
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2022: In humans with opioid use disorder, a report on using cannabis for withdrawal
Biological (Testosterone and Oxytocin) Approach for the Impact of Naturalistic Cannabis use on Self-reported Opioid Withdrawal
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2022: In an analysis of prescription data, the use of Sativex (a 1:1 THC:CBD medicine) caused substantial reductions in opioid use
Possible opioid-saving effect of cannabis-based medicine using individual-based data from the Norwegian Prescription Database
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34559439/
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2021: Using cannabis to help boost the efficacy of methadone maintenance for people with opioid use disorder
The Cannabis-Dependent Relationship Between Methadone Treatment Dose and Illicit Opioid Use in a Community-Based Cohort of People Who Use Drugs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34813374
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2020: In a survey of 200 patients, they reported that cannabis helped with the symptoms of opioid withdrawal
The impact of naturalistic cannabis use on self-reported opioid withdrawal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32359667/
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2019: Survey finds medical cannabis may help with the opioid crisis
The effect of cannabis laws on opioid use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31590091/
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2019: Survey finds “that a substantial number of US adults reported that they substituted marijuana for opioids”
Substitution of marijuana for opioids in a national survey of US adults
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6777788/
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2019: Ananda study finds that ‘CBD-rich extract enabled our patients to reduce or eliminate opioids with significant improvement in their quality of life indices’ (97 patients in a prospective, single-arm cohort study)
Evaluation of the effects of CBD hemp extract on opioid use and quality of life indicators in chronic pain patients: a prospective cohort study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31711352/
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2019: In humans, Hurd demonstrates CBD’s help for heroin addiction – reduced cue-induced craving and anxiety
Cannabidiol for the Reduction of Cue-Induced Craving and Anxiety in Drug-Abstinent Individuals With Heroin Use Disorder: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31109198
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2017: In a Canadian survey, there was a high self-reported use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids, benzodiazepines & antidepressants as well as alcohol, tobacco & illicit drugs
Medical cannabis access, use, and substitution for prescription opioids and other substances: A survey of authorized medical cannabis patients
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395917300130
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Best reviews
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2024: A review of using cannabinoids as a painkiller to mitigate the opioid epidemic
Mitigating the Opioid Epidemic: The Role of Cannabinoids in Chronic Pain Management—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-4736592/v1
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2024: For opioid use disorder, a review of treating it with medical cannabis
The Role of Medicinal Cannabis as an Emerging Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38676910/
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2024: For opioid-related memories, a review on targeting the endocannabinoid system for treating addiction
A Translational Approach to Using Endocannabinoid Modulators for Targeting Opioid-Associated Memory
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40429-024-00588-6
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2024: A review of 10 studies on the effects of mixing THC or CBD with opioids
Pharmacodynamic effects following co-administration of cannabinoids and opioids: A scoping review of human experimental studies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38561178/
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2023: A review of CBD for opioid use disorder
The Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol in Revolutionising Opioid Use Disorder Management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38226097/
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2023: For substance use disorder, a review of 29 studies finds CBD to be the most promising for treating multiple substance use disorders
Evidence from Human Studies for Utilising Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Substance-Use Disorders: A Scoping Review with a Systematic Approach
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36901098/
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2023: A review of CBD as harm reduction for people who use drugs (27 studies)
Cannabidiol as a Harm Reduction Strategy for People Who Use Drugs: A Rapid Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37376827/
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2023: A review of how activating the CB2 receptor lowers morphine tolerance
The effect of cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist on morphine tolerance
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38145173/
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2023: A review on how the exposure to opioids dysregulates the endocannabinoid system
Dysregulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system following opioid exposure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37931479/
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2023: A clinical framework for using cannabinoids to help with the opioid epidemic
An answered call for aid? Cannabinoid clinical framework for the opioid epidemic
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37587466/
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2022: In a review of animal models of drug addiction, β-caryophyllene (one of the primary terpenes of cannabis) showed promising results, often via its ability to activate the CB2 receptor
Effects of β-caryophyllene, A dDietary Cannabinoid, in Animal Models of Drug Addiction
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36173065
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2022: A review on how cannabinoids may alter the reward sensation of opioids
Opioid Reinforcement: What It Is And How It Can Be Modulated By Cannabinoids
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_98-1
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2022: A review of studies on THC helping with opioid withdrawal
Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36434879
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2022: On endocannabinoids & addiction to methamphetamine or morphine
Endocannabinoids and addiction memory: Relevance to Methamphetamine/Morphine Abuse
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15622975.2022.2039408?journalCode=iwbp20
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2021: A literature review that included 41 articles looking at CBD for opioid withdrawal suggests that it can be a safe & effective treatment for many of the relevant symptoms
Adjunctive Management of Opioid Withdrawal with the Nonopioid Medication Cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34678050/
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2021: This review looks at the mechanisms of how CBD might be helpful for opioid use disorder & its effect on inflammatory response
Modulatory Potential of Cannabidiol on the Opioid-Induced Inflammatory Response
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34115948/
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2021: In terms of addiction, this review looks at how the endocannabinoids & endogenous opioids interact
Cellular and behavioral basis of cannabinioid and opioid interactions: Implications for opioid dependence and withdrawal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33352618/
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Timeline of research
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2024: In a mouse model of apnea due to opioids, CBD pretreatment antagonized this fatal opioid response
Proof of Concept for High-Dose Cannabidiol Pretreatment to Antagonize Opioid Induced Persistent Apnea
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39314412/
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2024: In drug modeling of CBD & morphine metabolism, computer modeling suggested a ~5% increase in morphine exposure
Evaluation of the Drug–Drug Interaction Potential of Cannabidiol Against UGT2B7-Mediated Morphine Metabolism Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/12/1599
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2024: In a mouse model of fentanyl addiction, the inhalation of CBD lowered their neuroinflammatory response & protected the cells
Cannabidiol reverses fentanyl-induced addiction and modulates neuroinflammation
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.20.604441v1.abstract
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2024: In a mouse model of opioid tolerance, PEA delayed the formation of tolerance & potentiated its painkilling effects via downregulation of VEGF-A & sFLT-1
New insights in the mechanisms of opioid analgesia and tolerance: Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide down-modulates vascular endothelial growth factor-A in the nervous system
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824004171
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2024: In a mouse model of morphine withdrawal, PEA reduced the negative emotions & lowered the levels of relevant neurotransmitters
N-palmitoylethanolamide attenuates negative emotions induced by morphine withdrawal in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39154843/
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2024: In a rat model of heroin addiction, the terpene beta-caryophyllene inhibited self-administration
β-caryophyllene inhibits heroin self-administration, but does not alter opioid-induced antinociception in rodents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38631564/
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2023: In a mouse model of morphine withdrawal, CBD cause anti-anxiety effects via a serotonin receptor
Cannabidiol attenuates the expression of conditioned place aversion induced by naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal through the activation of 5-HT1A receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37209879/
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2023: In a mouse model of pain, oxycodone combined well with THC for painkilling effects as well as delaying the formation of tolerance and without the THC augmenting the negatives of the oxycodone (except for its rewarding properties)
Impact of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and oxycodone co-administration on measures of antinociception, dependence, circadian activity, and reward in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38105953/
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2023: In a rat model of pain, THC seemed to help the fentanyl work better
Antinociceptive Effects of Fentanyl and Non-opioid Drugs in Methocinnamox-treated Rats
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/411
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2022: In mice going through opioid withdrawal, CBD reduced the severity of their gut problems
Cannabidiol Reduced the Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal in Male and Female Mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36577048/
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2022: In a mouse model of heroin addiction & withdrawal, CBD reduced behavioral impairments & normalized the associated gene expression changes
CBD-mediated regulation of heroin withdrawal-induced behavioural and molecular changes in mice
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/adb.13150
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2009: In rats, CBD helped with self-administration of heroin & drug seeking behavior – altered glutamate & ECS systems
Cannabidiol, a nonpsychotropic component of cannabis, inhibits cue-induced heroin seeking and normalizes discrete mesolimbic neuronal disturbances
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19940171​
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