Plentiful research and anecdotal evidence has suggested that cannabis could be a useful harm reduction tool to help folks wean off of other substances that are more addictive and harmful. While many studies have focused on cannabis to curb opioid use with some looking more broadly at stimulants, new research suggests that it could prove useful for those with crack use disorder (CUD).

In fact, the popular non-psychoactive medicinal cannabinoid CBD, or cannabidiol, seems to be the key element.

The study, published recently in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, utilized a double-blind randomized clinical trial comparing CBD to three drugs commonly used to treat CUD: fluoxetine, valproic acid and clonazepam. Authors represent a number of Brazilian academic and official institutions, comprising various departments at the University of Brasília, the Brazilian Federal District’s secretary of health and forensic institute and the Federal University of São Paulo.

The research ultimately found that participants who took CBD had better health outcomes and fewer adverse effects compared to those who underwent traditional pharmaceutical options.

Monitoring Crack Use Over Time With CBD and Traditional Meds

Participants included adults in Brazil aged 18 to 65 who had used crack regularly over the past year and at least 20 times within the past month. The participants also had a desire to seek treatment for their CUD. Many of the participants used multiple drugs, but crack was noted by participants and the study team as their primary drug.

The initial participant group included 90 people, with 73 ultimately assigned to either the control of the CBD group over 10 weeks of treatment. Of this group, 34 participants completed at least half of the study and 25 completed it fully.

One group received 600 mg of CBD while the control group received a combination of the three traditional drugs. 

Researchers assessed crack use among participants once per week through a questionnaire, which asked about the frequency of crack use over the last seven days, the highest number of consecutive days without crack use, the average number of stones or grams used on days of use and the highest number of stones or grams used in a single day.

They also assessed adverse effects of the medications each week using a questionnaire, prompting participants to describe adverse effects if they happened. Additionally, researchers assessed physical health symptoms once per month, the intensity of cravings each week and collected weekly urine samples. 

CBD ‘Safe’ and ‘Tolerable’ Option with ‘Significantly’ Fewer Adverse Effects

While the study found that there were no significant variations in decrease of crack use or self-reported cravings between the control and CBD groups, researchers noted that CBD showed milder side effects than traditional medications, which could lead to diarrhea, constipation, nausea, dizziness, memory impairment and other outcomes.

The study notes that CBD seems to mitigate the primary symptoms reported by participants, including lack of appetite, difficulty in reducing crack use and the feeling of poor mental health. So, while CBD may not be more effective than standard medications, the study suggests it’s at least as effective as those options while offering fewer unwanted side effects. 

Additionally, researchers state that fewer adverse effects in CBD treatment could be beneficial in ensuring those looking to curb their crack use remain in treatment.

“CBD is a safe/tolerable product that presented significantly fewer adverse events compared to the control group,” the study conclusion states. “The CBD group performed better in more parameters than the control group, reducing crack use, not reducing food intake due to crack use, and greater improvements in self-rated health.”

The actual reasons CBD seems to help with CUD remains somewhat unclear, with researchers explaining that it is “difficult to outline the mechanism of action” behind the cannabinoid given its “broad spectrum of pharmacological properties” affecting a number of targets. Though they note that this “multiple-target action” could be an essential element, adding that “CBD decreases endocannabinoid receptor signaling and inhibits fatty acid amide hydrolase, which may reduce craving and decrease relapse rates in people with CUD.”

For future studies, researchers suggest a larger sample size and conducting similar trials with more intense screening and participant monitoring. They also state that results could be enhanced by reducing stress and environmental factors, improving emotional regulation, implementing strategies to better support individuals and potentially utilizing other cannabinoid compositions like full-spectrum CBD and/or THC.

“If so, this would be an important advance in the pharmacological treatment of stimulant use disorders,” authors conclude.

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Arthur Shelby is a troubled soul. The Peaky Blinders character must live under his younger brother, Thomas Shelby’s shadow, and deal with often hard-to-watch, but somehow, relatable, acts of violence, towards both others and himself, self-medicated with drugs and Jesus. And based on recent headlines (in the real world), it appears that, at least for some of such, the actor who plays Arthur, Paul Anderson, opts for Method acting, which aims to foster genuine portrayals by immersing oneself in and embodying the internal motivations and emotions of a character. So, basically, acting like the character off screen as well as when the cameras are rolling. 

As The Guardian reports, Anderson has been fined for possession of drugs. These include crack cocaine, amphetamines, in addition to prescription substances, diazepam (Valium) and pregabalin. The incident occurred on Boxing Day, the party-fueled British holiday that is held the day after Christmas. His lawyer claims that the actor uses the drugs to break into character to please fans who recognize him. 

Where did Anderson land himself into trouble? At his local pub, of course, who contacted the coppers after the bar’s manager noticed “crack cocaine fumes coming from the disabled toilet after the actor walked out,” MailOnline reports. He was with a friend and his baby. 

On Thursday, the 48-year-old actor stood before Highbury Corner magistrates court, facing charges of possessing class A crack cocaine, class B amphetamines, and two types of class C prescription drugs. He admitted to all four counts, resulting in a total fine of £1,345.

Reports indicate that Anderson only spoke to acknowledge his pleas and to verify his identity and north-west London address.

Anderson’s attorney, addressing the court in mitigation, reportedly stated: “You will recognise the defendant from a very intense part that he has played in a recent television programme. He is often recognised and does his best to please fans of the show by slipping into character.

“He was recognised that Boxing Day and tried to play up for these people. And because of the lifestyle he leads people often give him inducements.” The lawyer further noted that Anderson had not been using crack cocaine, but conceded: “He has found himself in an unfortunate position and should have had the strength to say no.”

While this news is hard not to pass on for all the Peaky Blinders fans, there’s a lot to unpack that’s not so funny. First, turning to the U.S., if you want to get angry, remember that while cannabis remains a Schedule I substance, cocaine (even though the sentencing guidelines have historically been much harsher, as the result of laws that tend to lock up more poor than rich folks), is only a Schedule II. And, while we don’t know the exact details of how and when Anderson was using, any stimulant as strong as crack, for the sake of one’s health, should not be paired with amphetamines. 

Diazepam, the brand name of Valium, is a benzodiazepine. It’s in the same anti-anxiety drug class as pills such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan. When benzodiazepines hit the market in the 1960s, chemists thought they’d cured anxiety. However, as is becoming increasingly reported, unlike cannabis for anxiety, such medications are just too easy to develop a physical dependence on when used other than prescribed, which is as-needed, or on a short-term basis. 

While, if you want to take a tolerance break from cannabis, while you might miss it, one can just put down the herb and not think too much about it, with benzos, suddenly stopping them after continued use is no joke, like, comes with risks of seizures if not done correctly. As detailed in the Ashton Manuel, the bible for getting off of benzos, if one is weaning off something like Xanax or Klonopin, it’s actually recommended to switch to Valium and then slowly taper off as it’s less potent and has a longer half-life. As High Times reported, Sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions, which are already used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), may also help people through benzodiazepine withdrawal, new research published in Neuropsychopharmacology shows.

However, of the substances found, MailOnline reports that Anderson later tested positive for opiates and cocaine (not crack cocaine), the court heard, so while there’s possession charges, we have no idea of the actor’s personal use or medication schedule. But we’re on your side, Arthur Shelby. 

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