Does CBD Interact With Nicotine?

In South Africa, about 25.8% of people regularly smoke tobacco, but about 70% of those smokers want to quit, according to statistics for 2022. Research shows that many people initially took up smoking as a way to relax after a stressful day at work, or because they found the act of rolling cigarettes to be enjoyable. Since CBD has gained popularity, many people have experimented with using CBD e-liquid and nicotine at the same time.

But before we can explore how nicotine and CBD interact with each other, we need to look at them from both perspectives. Some people believe that CBD should not be combined with nicotine because a relaxant and a stimulant should never be mixed. On the other hand, many people combine CBD and nicotine because it can help reduce the withdrawal symptoms that occur when you stop using nicotine products.

It is also believed that using CBD and nicotine together can also cancel out the negative effects of nicotine, such as cravings and withdrawal symptoms. CBD and cigarettes work together to cause a synergistic or antagonistic interaction.

In this article, we will be looking at it from both sides, the good and the bad, and we will recommend whether it would be a good choice for you to take CBD and nicotine together.

Note: When we are speaking about nicotine intake, we will be referring to vaping nicotine e-liquids and smoking nicotine through cigarettes.

What Are The Synergistic And Antagonistic Effects Of Combining CBD And Nicotine?

The two ways the body reacts when CBD and nicotine are taken simultaneously are the following:

• Metabolic Inhibition
• Antagonistic Interaction

Metabolic Inhibition

CBD has the ability to alter how the body metabolises nicotine. As a result, the effects of nicotine can last longer in the body and be felt more intensely. This is because both of these substances must now enter the same metabolic pathway and “compete” for a place to pass through. 

CBD is separately metabolised by the liver through the CYP3A4 enzyme in the liver before being distributed throughout the body, which causes its relaxing effects. CBD has not been officially identified as having the ability to inhibit the liver enzyme that metabolises nicotine, called CYP1A2. But it has been identified that smoking cannabis or hemp can increase the activity of this specific enzyme. As a result, it can help metabolise and eliminate nicotine and consequently, decrease the effects nicotine has on the body, such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

Because both of these substances compete for passage through the liver, the effects of CBD and nicotine last longer, which is what many people seek when using them together. On the other hand, if this process takes too long, CBD and nicotine will begin to deteriorate before passing through the liver. As a result, the person will experience fewer nicotine and CBD effects.

Antagonistic Interaction

Another reason CBD and nicotine are used together is because they have an antagonistic effect. This is when two (2) drugs have opposing reactions. One of the substances will offset the other by working in opposite directions, and this is what happens when CBD and nicotine are present in the body. The two substances will push against each other to make their effects the most prominent.

CBD contrasts nicotine in many ways, for example in cognitive functions. CBD is known to slow cognitive functions, while nicotine increases your cognitive functions, and when these two substances work oppositely, CBD can potentially reduce the harmful effects of smoking tobacco and meet each other in the middle. CBD will inhibit some effects of nicotine and help decrease the neurological activities that nicotine causes.

Why Do Some Believe That It Is Not Safe To Be Taking CBD With Nicotine?

It should be kept in mind that mixing CBD with any stimulant, such as nicotine, may have adverse effects. CBD and Nicotine might both come from plant materials, but they are used for entirely different reasons. CBD is used to alleviate medical symptoms like pain and anxiety, whereas nicotine is used for its stimulating and addictive properties.

Numerous studies have been conducted on the interaction of nicotine and marijuana, but CBD and nicotine have received little attention. People tend to dismiss the unknown as dangerous if there is no scientific evidence to back it up.

Does Vaping Nicotine And Smoking Nicotine Have The Same Effects On The Body?

The effects on the body of vaping nicotine-based e-liquid and smoking nicotine-based cigarettes are not the same. According to studies, vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking, which is why many smokers have switched to vaping. To completely eliminate your nicotine addiction, it would be even more beneficial for you to stop vaping nicotine e-liquids and use vape CBD e-liquid.

The table below compares the differences between vaping nicotine and smoking nicotine:

Can You Use CBD E-Liquid And Nicotine Based E-liquid Together?

We cannot emphasise this enough: do not combine CBD e-liquid and CBD nicotine e-liquid in the same cartridge!

Different e-liquids require different coil resistances, wattage levels, temperatures, and so on to be enjoyed to their full potential. Not only that, but the flavour will be unpleasant and may damage your vape device.

In addition, you must not mix CBD oils or tinctures into your nicotine-based e-liquid. Professional manufacturers have prepared e-liquids for you to use that combine CBD and nicotine in one (1) e-liquid. This way, you can get the benefits of both CBD and nicotine while vaping.

Can Using CBD Help You Quit Nicotine Addiction?

CBD can help you stop nicotine addiction in both smoking and vaping. You can gradually make the switch from vaping nicotine-based e-liquid or cigarettes to CBD e-liquid. The reason for this is that CBD can help with the nicotine withdrawal symptoms that occur when you use less or no nicotine.

When you stop using nicotine, you may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Restlessness
• Irritation
• Poor Concentration
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Mood Swings
• Anxiety
• Depression

To put it simply, CBD can help you combat the withdrawal symptoms that you will experience when you stop using nicotine-based e-liquids or cigarettes.

Can You Use CBD Vape Devices As An Alternative to Smoking Cigarettes?

Because CBD has so many advantageous effects on the body, manufacturers have developed CBD-infused e-liquid for vaping devices. The effects of vaping are felt almost immediately because the vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs. To make CBD e-liquid, two (2) carrier oils – vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) – along with a flavouring are primarily mixed with the CBD oil extracted from plant material. Many people prefer to consume CBD in this way, and there are many CBD e-liquids available on the market.

The hand-to-mouth motion that is a natural part of smoking is retained by vaping. This means that you can use a CBD e-liquid that contains no nicotine to help you fight your nicotine addiction and withdrawal symptoms if you want to quit smoking. The best way to determine whether combining CBD and nicotine will be effective for you is to first try them separately and see how they affect you. You should also speak with a physician before making your choice.

Is Using CBD And Nicotine Together For Me?

If you want to combine CBD and nicotine, you should do so if you want to achieve one of the following effects:

1. You want to gradually stop using nicotine but are experiencing withdrawal symptoms and want to use CBD to alleviate these symptoms in order to break your nicotine addiction

2. You want to smoke or vape nicotine and use CBD to counteract some of the negative effects nicotine will have on your body by causing an antagonistic effect

As you can see, CBD and nicotine are used in conjunction to achieve a specific effect. There is still a lot of research to be done on the matter, but many people still prefer to use CBD and nicotine together because it works for them. 

Although nicotine and CBD use have helped many people achieve their goals, you should consult a health professional before taking any drastic measures. You should talk about why you’re taking CBD with nicotine, your current medications, and any medical conditions that might be affected. Then you can decide collectively whether it is the best path for you.