An often overlooked area in cannabinoid medicine is its potential for treating alcohol use disorders (AUD). Specifically, cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promise in treating clinical symptoms of AUD.
A recent study published in Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research Journal found CBD was shown to treat AUD through two mechanisms of action.
1) CBD affects the brain by reducing the influence of alcohol consumption by reducing stress and anxiety. 2) CBD may influence AUD symptoms through its actions across the digestive, immune, and central nervous systems, collectively known as the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA). Notably, emerging work suggests that CBD positively affects our gut health through regulating gut bacteria, and reducing inflammation.
Since CBD has been shown to be non-impairing and non-addictive, this may prove to be a valuable treatment option for patients with AUD.
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