Addiction Blog

Addiction to substances like alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and opioids is a complex issue that typically requires professional treatment, such as therapy, counseling, and sometimes medication. However, some natural remedies may complement traditional treatments by helping to reduce cravings, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and promote overall well-being. It's essential to remember that these natural remedies should not replace professional medical advice but could be used as part of a holistic approach to recovery. Here are some natural remedies that could support individuals working through addiction:

1. Herbal Remedies

A. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum):
Milk thistle is known for its liver-protective properties. Since alcohol and some other substances can damage the liver, milk thistle can help detoxify the body and improve liver health, which is important during addiction recovery.

B. Valerian Root:
Valerian root is commonly used to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, opioids, and other substances can be stressful and disturbing, and valerian may help ease these symptoms.

C. Kudzu Root:
This herb is often used to treat alcohol dependency. It may reduce cravings and the urge to drink by influencing brain chemicals and the body’s response to alcohol.

D. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera):
Known for its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha may help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are often heightened during addiction recovery. It may also improve overall energy levels and cognitive function.

E. St. John’s Wort:
Commonly used for treating depression, St. John's Wort may help individuals who struggle with depression after addiction, particularly from substances like alcohol or opioids.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

A. Meditation:
Mindfulness meditation can be beneficial for anyone recovering from addiction. It helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, reducing the likelihood of relapse by promoting emotional regulation and reducing stress.

B. Yoga:
Yoga combines physical movement with mindful breathing. It can help reduce the physical and mental effects of withdrawal, promote relaxation, and support emotional healing. Regular practice of yoga can help restore balance to the body and mind.

C. Deep Breathing Techniques:
Controlled breathing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing can help reduce anxiety and stress levels. They have been shown to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and can be especially helpful for those recovering from addiction to alcohol, opioids, or cocaine.

3. Nutritional Support

A. Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
Omega-3s, found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, can support brain health, which may be damaged by long-term substance abuse. Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve mood, cognition, and emotional stability.

B. B Vitamins:
Chronic substance abuse often leads to deficiencies in essential nutrients like B vitamins. Supplementing with a B-complex vitamin can help restore energy levels, improve mood, and support brain function, especially in individuals recovering from alcohol addiction.

C. L-Glutamine:
L-glutamine is an amino acid that may help reduce sugar cravings and stabilize mood. It may be especially useful in alcohol recovery, as alcohol can often cause an imbalance in blood sugar levels, leading to cravings.

4. Acupuncture and Acupressure

A. Acupuncture:
Acupuncture has been shown to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for substances like alcohol, opioids, and cocaine. It may also promote emotional well-being by stimulating certain points in the body that release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

B. Acupressure:
Acupressure, which involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, can also help reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Some studies suggest that acupressure may improve mood and decrease anxiety during addiction recovery.

5. Exercise

A. Physical Activity:
Regular physical exercise has a profound impact on the brain and body. It stimulates the production of endorphins, which help improve mood and reduce stress. Exercise can be especially helpful in addiction recovery, as it provides a healthy outlet for stress and helps individuals rebuild their physical health.

B. Aerobic Exercise:
Engaging in cardiovascular exercise, like running, swimming, or cycling, helps to release dopamine and endorphins, improving overall emotional stability and mood. It can also help counteract the negative effects of withdrawal.

6. Supportive Therapies

A. Support Groups and Counseling:
While not purely “natural,” connecting with others who understand the experience of addiction can be crucial in overcoming it. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or SMART Recovery provide a community of individuals who can offer encouragement and shared experiences.

B. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Although CBT is a psychological treatment, it can be highly effective in addiction recovery by helping individuals change negative thought patterns and behaviors. This therapy can be paired with natural remedies to promote long-term recovery.

7. Essential Oils

A. Lavender Oil:
Lavender oil is well known for its calming and relaxing properties. It can be used in aromatherapy or applied topically (diluted) to help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, which are common during the recovery process.

B. Frankincense Oil:
Frankincense is often used for its grounding and calming effects. It may help reduce stress and improve mood, which can be crucial when navigating the emotional challenges of addiction recovery.

8. CBD (Cannabidiol)

For individuals recovering from cannabis or opioid addiction, CBD may provide some relief from anxiety, pain, and stress without the psychoactive effects of THC. Some studies suggest that CBD could help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

9. Hydration and Detoxification

A. Water and Herbal Teas:
Staying hydrated is essential during recovery, as dehydration can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms. Herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or ginger tea can also help soothe digestive issues and reduce anxiety.

B. Detoxification:
A gentle detox plan involving clean, whole foods and adequate hydration may help flush toxins from the body that have accumulated due to substance abuse. However, detoxification should be approached carefully and preferably under medical supervision.

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Conclusion

While these natural remedies can support individuals recovering from addiction, it's essential to approach addiction treatment holistically, combining natural methods with professional care, therapy, and support systems. The recovery journey is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach, and these remedies can serve as complementary tools to promote healing, reduce cravings, and support overall well-being. Always consult a healthcare provider before trying any new remedies, especially if you are currently undergoing addiction treatment or medication.

Vaporizers, often used for consuming cannabis, nicotine, or other substances, are generally regarded as a safer alternative to traditional smoking methods like cigarettes or joints. However, their safety isn't without concerns. Let’s break down some key points about vaporizer safety.

1. Health Risks of Vaporizers

While vaporizers reduce the harmful byproducts associated with combustion (like tar and carbon monoxide), they aren't entirely risk-free.

• Nicotine Vaporizers: E-cigarettes and nicotine vaporizers may help smokers quit, but nicotine is still an addictive substance with potential cardiovascular and neurological effects. Long-term studies on the effects of vaping nicotine are still ongoing, but concerns remain about the impact on heart health and lung function.
• Cannabis Vaporizers: Using vaporizers to inhale cannabis is often considered less harmful than smoking it, as it avoids the carcinogens produced by burning plant matter. However, the long-term health effects of inhaling vaporized cannabis are not fully understood, and regular use can still affect lung function, especially when combined with other additives like terpenes or chemicals in vape oils.

2. Risks from E-Liquids and Cartridges

Not all vape products are created equally, and the substances in the vaporizer liquids can pose risks.

• Quality of Liquids: Some e-liquids or vape cartridges may contain harmful additives, such as Vitamin E acetate, which has been linked to lung injuries, particularly in illicit vaping products. Using regulated products from trusted sources can help mitigate this risk.
• Temperature Control: Vaporizers work by heating the substance to a point where the active compounds are released as vapor without combustion. Poorly designed vaporizers or incorrect temperature settings can cause overheating, which could lead to the creation of harmful byproducts.

3. Risks of Battery and Device Malfunctions

Vaporizers, especially portable ones, rely on lithium-ion batteries. While battery failures are rare, they can happen, leading to potential overheating, fires, or explosions if the device is improperly used, damaged, or poorly manufactured.

• Proper Care and Maintenance: Ensuring that the vaporizer is used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, and regularly inspecting the device for signs of wear or damage, can help reduce the likelihood of these types of accidents.

4. Addictive Potential and Psychological Effects

While vaporizers might be less harmful than traditional smoking, the substances inhaled can still have addictive potential.

• Nicotine: Nicotine is a potent addictive substance that can lead to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and other psychological effects.
• Cannabis: Regular cannabis use, especially in adolescence, can lead to cognitive and mental health issues, including memory problems, anxiety, and, in some cases, psychosis.

5. Regulation and Quality Control

One of the key factors in ensuring the safety of vaporizers is the level of regulation and oversight of the products. The vaporizer industry has faced some scrutiny due to the prevalence of unregulated, low-quality products, particularly in the cannabis market.

• Legitimate Brands and Labs: Always choosing reputable brands and paying attention to third-party lab results (for cannabis products, for example) can provide peace of mind that the substances being vaped are safe and free from harmful contaminants.

6. Secondhand Vapor

Unlike cigarette smoke, which has been well-studied, secondhand vapor remains a relatively under-researched area. While most studies suggest that secondhand vapor contains far fewer harmful chemicals than secondhand smoke, it still can pose some risk, particularly in enclosed spaces.

Conclusion

While vaporizers may be safer than traditional smoking methods, they are not without their risks. The safety of vaping largely depends on the quality of the product, how it’s used, and the substance being consumed. Choosing high-quality, regulated products and using them as intended can help minimize health risks. However, understanding the long-term effects of vaping still requires more research, and it’s important for users to stay informed as new information becomes available.

Throughout my time in academia, I have done research and coordinated studies among animals and humans with addictions. My research has spanned many different types of addiction, including cocaine, cannabis, opioids, alcohol, and internet addiction. My journey through addiction research began when I witnessed many of my peers attending rave parties and using stimulants and psychedelics in the late 1990s. I began to independently research the drugs that my friends were using and took classes such as Human Brain and Behavior, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Drugs and the Brain at the Department of Psychology of the University of Toronto, which helped me better understand the mechanisms of psychoactive substances. My interest culminated in a Thesis in Neuroscience where I showed that cerebral injections of a stress-associated neuropeptide produced reinstatement of cocaine self-administration behavior (unpublished data). Subsequently, I did a Master of Science at the Department of Psychiatry of the Université de Montreal. I showed that chronic amphetamine administration produces deficits in reward upon withdrawal, as measured by electrical self-stimulation of dopamine rich brain regions.¹ For my doctoral dissertation, I showed that alcohol and cocaine were associated with increased parkinsonism among schizophrenia patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), whereas alcohol and cannabis were associated with akathisia (an inner sense of restlessness) among individuals with SUD without a diagnosis of schizophrenia.² I continued my research in addiction at the Department of Psychiatry of the Yale University School of Medicine. I coordinated several large trials using functional magnetic resonance in conjunction with cognition and physiological measures among individuals with cocaine and alcohol use disorders. In one study, I showed that cocaine dependent subjects had hypoactive skin conductive response to negative emotional stimuli and less diminution of skin conductance response was associated with higher cocaine craving and lower activation in the midcingulate cortex to negative emotional images. This suggested that a hub of the limbic motor circuit, the midcingulate cortex may translate chronic cocaine craving into physiological responses that precipitate cocaine seeking.³ In another study, I used the cue-elicited alcohol craving paradigm to show that thalamic responses to alcohol cues contribute to at-risk drinking and positive alcohol expectancy among non-dependent drinkers, which is a cognitive model that predicts how people will drink and behave based on their beliefs about the positive effects of alcohol.⁴ To date, my research has culminated in over thirty peer-reviewed publications and one book chapter directly related to the field of addiction.

Addiction is an important topic given the changing landscape surrounding legalization of previously illegal narcotics as well as the rapid emergence of novel addictive substances that may lead to unforeseen issues among users. With the widespread legalization of cannabis in the U.S., Canada, and abroad, there has been an explosion of novel products such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) based vaporized concentrates, oral formulations as well as synthetic analogues and semi-synthetic derivatives. Emerging cannabinoid products are typically many times more potent than smoked cannabis flower, which has been the focus of research to date. This is because they either: 1) activate cannabinoid receptors to a greater degree than naturally occurring compounds, 2) contain much greater concentrations of cannabinoids (e.g., many concentrates have levels of THC >90% and lower levels of cannabidiol, which counteracts THC effects), or 3) possess pharmacokinetic properties that leave much greater concentrations of these compounds in the body for longer periods of time (e.g. edibles). However, there is currently little research on the cognitive effects of novel cannabinoid products. Alarmingly, there has been an explosion of unlicensed dispensaries in the United States, so much so that unlicensed dispensaries outnumber legal ones around New York City and some of the product is 10 times as potent as what can be legally sold in New York.⁵ Increased use of high strength cannabinoid agonists is problematic since cannabis may accelerate brain aging. Indeed, in a meta-analysis, I showed that synthetic and natural cannabinoid agonists produce deficits in several cognitive domains, including verbal learning/memory, working memory, attention, and cognitive control.⁶

In my lab, I plan to develop a research program that examines the gap in research surrounding the potentially harmful cognitive effects of these ultra-potent cannabinoid compounds wherein users are left with reduced cognitive control and short-term memory deficits as well as side-effects such as akathisia and insomnia, which perpetuate the cycle of addiction.² In addition, I plan to investigate perceptions of novel cannabinoids in the community as well as how enticing packaging and advertising can stimulate craving and further loss of self-regulation of cannabinoid use. The other side of the coin is that there are certain phytocannabinoids that block the cannabinoid receptor, which counteract some of the negative effects of cannabinoid agonists. In my review of cannabidiol, I found that this agent can improve cognitive deficits associated with cannabinoid agonists and can treat insomnia.⁷ Newer cannabinoid antagonists such as cannabigerol, cannabinol, and cannabichromene may also do the same thing, but research is scant. Cannabinoid antagonists are frequently combined with cannabinoid agonists in product formulations or sold by themselves to promote sleep and reduce pain. I plan to investigate what effect these agents have on cue-elicited craving, cognition, and side-effects associated with novel cannabinoid agonists currently on the market, and whether they are effective for the indications that they are being marketed for.

1 Zhornitsky S, Potvin S, Stip E, Rompré PP (2010). Acute quetiapine dose-dependently exacerbates anhedonia induced by withdrawal from escalating doses of d-amphetamine. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 20:695-703.

2 Zhornitsky S, Stip E, Pampoulova T, Rizkallah E, Lipp O, Bentaleb LA, Chiasson JP, Potvin S (2010). Extrapyramidal symptoms in substance abusers with and without schizophrenia and in nonabusing patients with schizophrenia. Movement Disorders. 25:2188-94.

3 Zhornitsky S, Le TM, Wang W, Dhingra I, Chen Y, Li CR, Zhang S (2021). Midcingulate Cortical Activations Interrelate Chronic Craving and Physiological Responses to Negative Emotions in Cocaine Addiction. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science. 1:37-47.

4 Zhornitsky S, Zhang S, Ide JS, Chao HH, Wang W, Le TM, Leeman RF, Bi J, Krystal JH, Li CR (2019). Alcohol Expectancy and Cerebral Responses to Cue-Elicited Craving in Adult Nondependent Drinkers. Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience Neuroimaging. 4:493-504.

5 CBSNews (July 2024). NYC illegal marijuana shops facing surprise raids, big fines. Here's what we saw on a ride-along. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-york-city-illegal-marijuana-shops-anthony-miranda-eric-adams/.

6 Zhornitsky S, Pelletier J, Assaf R, Giroux S, Li CR, Potvin S (2021). Acute effects of partial CB1 receptor agonists on cognition – A meta-analysis of human studies. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 104:110063.

7 Zhornitsky S, Potvin S (2012). Cannabidiol in humans – the quest for therapeutic targets. Pharmaceuticals. 5:529-552.