The Swiss CBD selection
CBD and withdrawal
Looking into CBD when considering withdrawal or reducing THC? Compare the formats and ingredients in this selection, then consult the guide for information and precautions.
Learn more and choose
CBD can support an effort to cut down on cannabis or tobacco. It does not cure dependence, but it lets you keep a gesture and a ritual while reducing THC or nicotine. Clinical studies are still few and use very high doses.
- CBD flowers (Plutonium Kush, Northern Light X): to replace THC joints while keeping the gesture. They contain traces of THC, below 1%.
- Triple filtre: a Full Spectrum CBD hash, concentrated in CBD, which also contains traces of THC below 1%. For those who smoke resin and want to keep the same ritual.
- MUZA tobacco substitutes: tobacco-free and nicotine-free, plant-based, for those who mix tobacco and cannabis.
- Vapes and e-liquids: to move away from combustion. The Green Lab products are Broad Spectrum, THC-free; Cookies cartridges are Full Spectrum, with traces of THC.
- Broad Spectrum oils (10%, 20%, 30%, Sublime 40%): THC-free, taken sublingually, for CBD intake that does not involve inhalation.
What the studies say
The main controlled trial of CBD in cannabis use disorder, published in The Lancet Psychiatry in 2020, tested doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg of CBD per day for four weeks. The 400 and 800 mg doses reduced cannabis use compared with placebo; the 200 mg dose showed no effect. These amounts are far higher than what a CBD oil provides in normal use.
For tobacco, a small pilot study in 2013 observed that smokers using a CBD inhaler for one week reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked. It is an interesting signal, but it needs to be confirmed in larger samples.
These results are not a protocol. The high doses used in research should be discussed with a health professional, especially if you take medication.
Cutting down on THC: the gesture and the substance
Stopping cannabis often means dealing with two things: withdrawal linked to THC (irritability, disturbed sleep, anxiety) and the habit of the gesture. Gradually replacing THC joints with CBD flowers keeps the ritual while greatly reducing the amount of THC. Many people then reduce inhalation and switch to a sublingual oil.
Tobacco in joints
Many users mix tobacco and cannabis, which creates two dependences at once. Two gradual options: progressively replace the tobacco with a nicotine-free substitute such as MUZA, or switch to a CBD vape, which removes both combustion and tobacco. Separating the two problems is often more manageable than stopping everything at once.
Moving away from combustion
Combustion produces toxic substances, whatever you smoke. Switching to vaporisation reduces this exposure while keeping the act of inhaling. If you want to avoid THC entirely, choose The Green Lab Broad Spectrum products rather than Full Spectrum cartridges.
Frequently asked questions
Does CBD itself cause dependence?
According to the 2018 WHO report, CBD shows no potential for abuse or dependence in humans.
Can I test positive while cutting down with CBD?
Yes, with products that contain traces of THC: flowers, hash and Full Spectrum cartridges. THC from past cannabis use also remains detectable for some time. If you are subject to testing, favour THC-free Broad Spectrum products. See our article CBD and drug testing.
Does CBD help with other substances?
Research is exploring CBD for reducing opioids, alcohol or cocaine, but the data remain preliminary. For these dependences, medical support is essential.
Should I talk to my doctor?
Yes, especially if you take medication: CBD can interact with some treatments via the CYP450 liver enzymes. In Switzerland as in France, specialised addiction services can support you.
Sources
- Freeman TP, et al. Cannabidiol for the treatment of cannabis use disorder: a phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, adaptive Bayesian trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2020. PubMed.
- Morgan CJ, et al. Cannabidiol reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers: preliminary findings. Addictive Behaviors, 2013. PubMed.
- World Health Organization. Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report, 2018. WHO.
This article is for information purposes. CBD is not a medicine and is not a treatment for dependence. For any withdrawal, medical or psychological support is recommended. For adults only.