Opioids are a powerful and highly addictive class of drugs that can cause devastating physical and psychological dependence. For those suffering from opioid addiction, the road to recovery can be incredibly difficult and the withdrawal symptoms can be excruciating. However, researchers are now exploring a potential new way to ease those symptoms – Delta-8 THC gummies.
Delta-8 THC is a lesser-known cannabinoid that has been found to have some of the same therapeutic effects as THC, but with fewer psychoactive effects. Although research is still in its early stages, studies are beginning to suggest that Delta-8 THC gummies may be an effective way to reduce the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore the potential benefits of delta gummies for those trying to recover from opioid addiction.
What is Delta-8 THC and what are the therapeutic effects?
Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid that has some of the same therapeutic properties as THC, including the ability to ease nausea and reduce pain. However, while THC is an extremely potent and psychoactive cannabinoid, Delta-8 THC is much less intense. Because of this, Delta-8 THC is primarily of interest to researchers and medical marijuana patients looking for an alternative to THC.
Delta-8 THC gummies are one of the only products available that contain this cannabinoid. Delta-8 THC has also been found to be effective at treating conditions such as chronic pain, nausea, and inflammation. Delta-8 THC has slightly less of a psychoactive effect compared to THC, so is not an attractive option for those looking to get high.
How could Delta-8 THC gummies help ease opioid withdrawal symptoms?
When it comes to addiction, the body goes through intense withdrawal symptoms as it seeks to wean itself off of the drugs after constant use. The severity of these symptoms is often enough to make people reconsider opioid addiction and seek treatment. To ease these symptoms, opioid users can take opioids such as buprenorphine, which is a “high-replacement opioid” that has fewer intense side effects. However, this treatment option can come with serious health risks and is not always effective at keeping people from becoming opioid-dependent in the future.
Withdrawal from opioids can lead to a wide array of unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, muscle pain, insomnia, restlessness, and increased emotions like sadness and anxiety. According to a study published in the journal Neurotherapeutics, patients who underwent opioid withdrawal were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to those who were still taking opioids. It is thought that this is because opioid withdrawal causes the brain to release high levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
What do studies and research say about Delta-8 THC gummies and opioid withdrawal?
Studies have found that people who regularly consume cannabis have a lower chance of becoming dependent on opioids. Research suggests that cannabis could help to dampen the intense withdrawal symptoms that opioid users experience. In one study, researchers asked patients who were going through opioid withdrawal to refrain from consuming cannabis while they were in treatment. Unfortunately, when these patients were re-exposed to cannabis, they reported experiencing even more intense symptoms than those who did not consume cannabis at all during treatment.
However, when the patients who were re-exposed to cannabis were excluded from the study, they reported experiencing significantly lower levels of withdrawal symptoms than those who did not consume cannabis at all during treatment. These findings suggest that cannabis may help ease opioid withdrawal symptoms, and could be an effective treatment for opioid dependence. Furthermore, the researchers also found that patients who consumed cannabis during treatment had a lower chance of becoming dependent on opioids in the future.
What are the potential risks of using Delta-8 THC gummies for opioid withdrawal?
While Delta-8 THC gummies do contain cannabinoids that have some of the same therapeutic effects as THC, you should be cautious about consuming them as a replacement for opioids. This is because cannabinoids are substances that are found in the marijuana plant, and are psychoactive – Delta-8 THC gummies contain cannabinoids, but a much lower concentration of cannabinoids than those found in marijuana. If you decide to use the gummies, you mustn’t replace your opioid medications with the cannabinoids in the gummies.
While consuming Delta-8 THC gummies could ease your opioid withdrawal symptoms, it could also lead to an opioid relapse. Withdrawal from opioids can be extremely uncomfortable, and people are more likely to return to using opioids if they don’t experience relief from the symptoms. Furthermore, using Delta-8 THC gummies during opioid withdrawal could lead you to consume more cannabinoids than you normally would. Consuming too many cannabinoids can lead to changes in your brain chemistry and disorders like psychosis.
What are the potential side effects of using Delta-8 THC gummies for opioid withdrawal?
Studies have found that the cannabinoids in Delta-8 THC gummies have some of the same therapeutic properties as THC, but with a lower psychoactive effect. The potential side effects of consuming Delta-8 THC may include anxiety, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness,paranoia, and an increased risk of psychosis. It’s important to note that these symptoms are only likely to occur if you consume too many cannabinoids. If you only consume the recommended amount of Delta-8 THC then the only side effect you are likely to experience is a mild headache.
