Many are turning to hemp for addiction recovery. Once considered to be a dangerous drug, it is now being used to help individuals kick the habit. Hemp is beginning to show promising results in helping reduce someone’s substance abuse dependence.
What is Hemp?
Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species. Farmers grow this variation for its derived products and their industrial uses. One of the fastest growing plants in existence, it was one of the first plants ever made into usable fibers more than 10,000 years ago. Up until the 1820s, about 80 percent of all linens, drapes, fabrics, clothing, and textiles, in general, were made from hemp. The cotton gin invention then changed that pattern.
What are the Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana?
Many people believe hemp and marijuana are the same thing, but that is not the case. Hemp and marijuana are both members of the Cannabis family, but they are very different as well. Because of the misconception, hemp got banned for almost eight decades. All the different Cannabis species were labeled as Schedule I drugs and prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act in 1970. Hemp and marijuana serve completely different purposes, so new legislation is in effect, but the progression of changing laws has been slow.
Hemp has been proven to have more than 25,000 different applications, which are applications where marijuana cannot provide results. Marijuana is widely known for recreational and medicinal purposes, but that is not the case for hemp. While marijuana is often used recreationally for the “high” it can give users, that isn’t the case with hemp.
Marijuana has high THC, ranging from 3 percent to 5 percent, which has psychoactive components. Marijuana is for recreational and medicinal use and must grow in a controlled atmosphere. Hemp requires minimal care to grow and thrive and is adaptable to most climates. Hemp’s applications include plastic, food, construction, clothing, body care, automobiles, and more. Hemp’s THC content is less than .3 percent.
The Health Benefits of Using Hemp
There are many health benefits of hemp. Hemp seeds provide protein, unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Sometimes hemp is even described as a superfood because of its rich nutritional value and the various health benefits through consumption.
Food Chemistry, which is a medical journal, revealed that the extract of hemp seeds has antioxidant effects as determined by lab tests. A 2018 review even suggested that CBD and other seed compounds might have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective effects and could also be beneficial in helping with immune system regulation. Another medical application is the use of hemp for addiction.
Hemp is Beneficial in Treating Withdrawal Symptoms
Scientific evidence shows that CBD from hemp is effective in treating opioid addiction. CBD blocks opioid effects on the brain, so it helps patients going through opioid withdrawals by fending off nausea and other symptoms.
Because CBD is proven effective for having anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties, it is beneficial in helping a patient getting the underlying conditions stabilized so that they can get their life back on track. In 2015, there were 33,000 deaths from opioids and nearly half those deaths were related to prescription opioids.
The sales of prescription opioids and the number of deaths from opioid overdoses are increasing, so something is needed that is effective in helping users overcome the symptoms of withdrawal, so they can stay away from opioids and regain control of their lives. Hemp for addiction is very beneficial in helping drug users overcome the obstacles they face.
The Legality of Hemp
When laws passed in the 1970s, they inadvertently included hemp into the legislation. Because it was part of the cannabis family, it became a Schedule I drug. In 2013, a bill was signed to allow Arizona farmers to grow hemp legally.
The 2018 Farm Bill that Congress enacted permits commercial hemp production, which was beneficial to Arizona farmers since hemp doesn’t require much water to grow and thrive. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey directed the state’s Department of Agriculture to write specific rules that allow Arizona farmers to grow the crop.
A 2014 federal law allowed states to license some hemp growers for “research.” In 2014, Arizona Judge Katherine Cooper ruled that marijuana products for medicinal purposes, including CBD hemp oil, are legal. Many drug rehab facilities are using hemp products in their treatment programs to help lessen the symptoms of withdrawals.
Despite hemp having a minimal trace of THC, which is the psychoactive component, many companies are taking the remaining hint out of the oils, so they contain none. But, because the traces are so minimal, even when it remains it will not result in a “high.”
How is Hemp Used for Addiction?
Studies have shown that using CBD oil can prevent relapses of drug use. One case study showed researchers that a series of test determined the anti-relapse potential of a patient when using transdermal CBD.
After administering CBD oil to the group every 24 hours for a full week – which is 7 days – it was determined that the oil prevented “addiction-like” characteristics from developing and it helped to deter relapses for as long as five months after the last use. But, the CBD itself wasn’t traceable in the body and brain within three days after having been stopped.
Many credible research teams have conducted similar studies, and they have gotten very similar results. Based on the studies, CBD oil from hemp helps with the symptoms of withdrawal, helps prevent the risks of relapses, and, also offers long-lasting effects. Studies have discovered that hemp offers more than 50 benefits, which can be life-changing for many people who are facing many different challenges in life, including those who are facing substance abuse and addictions.
Getting Help for Addiction
If you are suffering from substance abuse or addiction, you should consult with an Arizona drug rehab facility. Scottsdale Recovery provides various drug and alcohol rehab programs to meet patient needs. Many people are using hemp as an aid in addiction treatment. These facilities choose high-quality hemp products and work with reputable suppliers, so they can ensure patients have access to the best, most reliable products out there. To learn more about the rehab programs available at Scottsdale Recovery, call us today.
