Cannabidiol, also know more commonly as CBD, has become quite popular in the United States. Many people are trying it out for possible health perks, such as better sleep or less anxiety. Today, you can easily find a wide variety of different CBD products as they are present in a lot of products you can find at stores, like oils, creams, lip balms, and even protein bars.
But even as more folks are using CBD, there’s still a lot we don’t know about it. As we have observed, some alcohol manufacturers are also making drinks with CBD in them.
With its increasing popularity, users are wondering whether it’s safe to mix CBD with something like alcohol. The big question is, if you’re taking CBD, is it alright to have a drink with friends? What happens if you do?
This article will take a deep look into CBD and alcohol, laying out all the answers you are looking for. Let’s get into it!
Cannabidiol and Alcohol: Exploring Interactions and Potential Risks
CBD, a compound found in the cannabis plant, has various health benefits. Evidence suggests it can help with anxiety, inflammation, and physical relief. Unlike Delta-9 THC, another compound in cannabis, CBD doesn’t make you feel high.
Alcohol and CBD affect and interact with your body differently, but they can both make you feel sleepy or relaxed.
Alcohol consumption is a faster process to get the result of sleepiness or relaxation because when you drink alcohol, it gets into your bloodstream fast, and you start feeling its effects in about ten minutes.
It can mess with your brain, making it hard to think clearly or move properly. Depending on how much you drink, it can mess with your speech, memory, and balance, making you more likely to fall or hurt yourself. We all know how alcohol addiction is hazardous to the life of your brain cells.
CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t make you feel drunk. Instead, it works behind the scenes with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which is spread throughout your body, especially in your central nervous system.
It can help you feel calmer, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and lessen chronic discomfort and physical aches. But sometimes, it can also make you feel tired, sleepy, or nauseous, and it might give you diarrhea, make you dizzy, or even vomit.
Is it Safe to Combine Alcohol and Cannabidiol?
While there isn’t much research on this topic, and there is still an ongoing debate, we can say that combining alcohol and CBD is generally considered safe, backed by some recent studies.
Many studies have found a positive link between CBD and alcohol, suggesting that CBD can reduce the negative effects of drinking. You can take CBD and still have a drink socially or with dinner without feeling high, unlike THC. CBD has calming effects, while alcohol is a depressant. Both can help you relax, but CBD’s effects last longer.
Combining alcohol and CBD can really change how someone acts, feels, and mood. The main risk seems to be feeling more sleepy. Just like with any drugs, this can affect people differently depending on how much they use, how big they are, how healthy they are, and if they’re taking other drugs.
So, according to some scientific evidence, mixing alcohol with CBD oil can enjoy some fantastic benefits as well. In fact, some of the most significant benefits include:
- Less Anxiety and Stress: Mixing CBD with alcohol could make both substances more relaxing, possibly reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.
- Better Relaxation: Together, they might make you feel more relaxed and calm.
- Protecting the Brain: CBD might protect your brain from some of the harmful effects of drinking alcohol.
- Fewer Side Effects from Alcohol: CBD could help lessen some of the negative effects you might feel after drinking, like nausea or headaches.
- Possibly Drinking Less: Some studies suggest that CBD could help you want to drink less alcohol.
- Less Inflammation: CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation might help if you’ve had excessive alcohol consumption and feel inflamed.
While mixing CBD and alcohol, it should be kept in mind that CBD and alcohol have similar side effects. They can both make you feel sleepy, give you diarrhea, and affect your liver. Taking them together might make these side effects worse.
Long-Term Health Risks of CBD and Alcohol Use
Research on cannabis’ long-term effects with alcohol is still limited, with most studies lasting only a few weeks or months. However, the data available suggests that CBD is generally well-tolerated, with mild side effects like drowsiness, diarrhea, and changes in appetite being the most common.
One concern is the potential for liver damage from long-term CBD use. A 2019 study in mice found that high doses of CBD can increase liver toxicity. However, the doses used were much higher than what’s typically recommended for humans. Also, animal studies may not reflect human responses accurately, so more research is needed to understand if this applies to humans.
Another worry is CBD’s impact on reproductive and fetal development. Some animal studies suggest that high CBD doses in the longer run might affect fertility and fetal growth. However, these studies have limitations, like using very high doses and lacking human data. So, while it’s important to consider these findings, they’re not conclusive evidence against CBD’s safety.
If we talk about alcohol, many of us know the limits and whether someone should be an alcohol addict or not. But if you are not familiar with the limits and risks of alcohol, let’s discuss them.
In the U.S., a regular drink has about 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of alcohol. This much alcohol is typically in:
- 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol)
- 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (like gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).
Now, if someone is excessively consuming alcohol, what will be the limit of that?
Excessive drinking or drinking too much can mean different things. Excessive drinking is when women have 4 or more drinks at once or men have 5 or more.
Heavy drinking is when women have 8 or more drinks in a week or men have 15 or more. Many people who drink too much aren’t addicted to alcohol.
Drinking too much alcohol over time can cause serious health problems, including:
- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive issues.
- Different types of cancer like breast, mouth, throat, liver, and colon cancer.
- Weakening of your immune system makes it easier to get sick.
- Problems with learning, memory, and mental health, like depression and anxiety.
- Social issues like family and job problems and even unemployment.
- Alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorders.
To lower the risk of adverse effects of alcohol, it’s important not to become an excessive drinker.
Find Safe, High-Quality CBD Products at BioWellnessX
Multiple online stores are offering CBD and THC products nowadays, but you cannot say that all of them are trustworthy and are selling safe, quality products. But you can always find the finest CBD products in all popular varieties at BioWellnessX.
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CBD Edibles:
Our CBD edibles are a delicious and convenient way to incorporate CBD into your daily routine. We offer a variety of tasty options that make it easy to enjoy the benefits of CBD wherever you go.
CBD Tinctures:
Our CBD tinctures ensure both purity and potency. They come in a variety of strengths and flavors and can be added to your favorite beverages or taken sublingually for fast relief.
CBD Oils:
BioWellnessX CBD oils are made from premium hemp extracts and carefully formulated to deliver consistent results. Whether you’re looking for a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum option, we have a variety of oils to suit your needs.
CBD Topicals:
Our CBD topical creams are perfect for targeted relief. From soothing creams to revitalizing balms, our topicals are designed to nourish your skin while providing the benefits of CBD.
CBD Capsules:
For those who prefer a convenient and precise dosage, our CBD capsules are an excellent option. Each capsule contains a pre-measured amount of CBD, making it easy to incorporate into your daily wellness routine.
At BioWellnessX, we provide you with different products based on potency with the dosage mentioned. And you can always rest assured that you’re getting the highest quality CBD products available and can include them into your regime of a healthy lifestyle.
Final Thoughts: Cannabidiol and Alcohol
The bottom line is we don’t know exactly how mixing CBD and alcohol affects our bodies. It’s important to be careful when you use both CBD and alcohol.
Although CBD could protect from alcohol-induced health issues, like liver damage, alcoholism, and withdrawal, whether you use CBD oil, CBD gummies, or anything else, try to keep CBD and alcohol far apart. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks. Until we have more information on interactions between CBD oil and alcohol, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Some experts advise against mixing them because it might make you feel sleepy, which could be dangerous if you need to drive, use machines, or cook. But there’s not a lot of research on how mixing CBD and alcohol affects humans, mostly studies on animals. So, we’re not sure yet if it’s safe for people.
Both CBD and alcohol can make you sleepy, and if you take too much, they might harm your liver.
Some studies suggest that CBD could help protect against the bad effects of drinking alcoholic beverages too much alcohol. It might also reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but we need more research to be sure.
Legal Disclaimer:
By reading this information presented, you agree to release the author of any liability that comes from using this data. This post contains no legal advice. Claims about cannabinoids have not yet been approved by the FDA. Cannabis laws and regulations are subject to change. Read the full legal disclaimer here.
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References:
- Cannabidiol and Intestinal Motility
- Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling?
- Consumer Experiences with Delta-8-THC
- Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill – 07/25/2019 | FDA
- The Controlled Substances Act (dea.gov)
FAQs About CBD and Alcohol Consumption
It’s generally considered okay to drink alcohol while taking CBD, but moderation is key. Enjoy both of these substances responsibly.
Some people use CBD after drinking to help with relaxation or discomfort, but more research is needed.
There’s some early research suggesting CBD might have protective effects on the liver, but it’s not conclusive. Addictive behaviors can lead to many negative effects including dependency on alcohol and alcohol induced liver steatosis.
When taking CBD, it’s important not to exceed recommended doses and to be aware of potential interactions with other medications.
Mixing CBD and alcohol is generally considered safe, but it’s important to be cautious and aware of how each affects you.
It’s generally safe to take CBD after drinking alcohol, but it’s a good idea to wait a few hours to allow the effects of alcohol to wear off.
To lower blood alcohol levels, the body needs time to metabolize the alcohol. Drinking water, eating food, and getting plenty of rest can help, but the only surefire way to lower blood alcohol levels is to wait it out.
To address addictive alcohol cravings, try therapy groups like Alcoholics Annonymous, support groups, medications, lifestyle changes, trigger avoidance, accountability, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if needed.
