Can cannabis or THC help ease opioid withdrawal symptoms?
Some evidence suggests cannabis and THC may reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms, but the therapeutic window appears narrow and results are inconsistent.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 11 studies with 5,330 participants, four observational studies found cannabis use was associated with reduced opioid withdrawal, one found worsening symptoms, and four found no association. Two RCTs showed dronabinol (synthetic THC) reduced withdrawal but also increased abuse liability and dysphoria.
Key Numbers
11 studies, 5,330 total participants (64% male). Four of nine observational studies found withdrawal alleviation; two RCTs showed THC helped but with dose-dependent side effects.
How They Did This
Systematic review searching multiple databases through July 2022 for studies examining the association between opioid withdrawal and cannabis use or THC administration.
Why This Research Matters
Six U.S. states have authorized cannabinoids as opioid substitutes, but the evidence base for this approach remains weak and contradictory.
The Bigger Picture
The mixed results highlight the complexity of using cannabinoids for opioid withdrawal, where patient characteristics and pharmacological factors create unpredictable interactions.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
High heterogeneity in how opioid withdrawal was measured and in baseline opioid type and dose across studies.
Questions This Raises
- ?What is the optimal dosing window for THC in opioid withdrawal?
- ?Can CBD or other cannabinoids provide withdrawal relief without the abuse liability seen with THC?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 4 of 9 observational studies linked cannabis to reduced opioid withdrawal
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review, but high heterogeneity and inconsistent findings across studies limit confidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022 with studies searched through July 2022.
- Original Title:
- Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 241, 109702 (2022)
- Authors:
- De Aquino, Joao P(12), Bahji, Anees(5), Gómez, Oscar(2), Sofuoglu, Mehmet
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03790
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did cannabis consistently reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms?
No. Results were mixed: four observational studies found an association with reduced withdrawal, one found worsening, and four found no effect.
What happened in the clinical trials with synthetic THC?
Two RCTs found dronabinol (synthetic THC) reduced opioid withdrawal symptoms, but also produced dose-dependent increases in abuse liability, dysphoria, and rapid heart rate.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03790APA
De Aquino, Joao P; Bahji, Anees; Gómez, Oscar; Sofuoglu, Mehmet. (2022). Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 241, 109702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109702
MLA
De Aquino, Joao P, et al. "Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109702
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tet..." RTHC-03790. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/de-2022-alleviation-of-opioid-withdrawal
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.