CBD and Alcohol: What happens when you take them together?
Whether you use CBD daily or once in a while for therapeutic purposes, you may still be concerned about its interactions with alcohol. However, there isn’t enough research data on how CBD and alcoholic drinks should interact. However, we can examine CBD and alcohol separately to see if it’s safe to consume CBD while drinking alcohol. The simple answer is Yes. But the long story is far more convoluted.
There are many apparent issues when combining psychotropic cannabis with alcohol. Alcohol and marijuana aren’t the most well-balanced combination. CBD, on the other hand, might be a different story. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis that has been used to enhance sleep, relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and more.
CBD-infused cocktails and beers are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, so you might believe they’re entirely safe. However, the reality is not quite that simple. Scientists believe the two substances interact despite a dearth of CBD and alcohol research. Furthermore, some experts think that they may amplify one another because both have similar calming effects. As a result of all of this, the overall experience might be more profound.
What Exactly is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the two most common cannabinoids in cannabis plants (both the hemp plant and the marijuana plant). It’s made up of more than 80 different active chemical compounds, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), which are all cannabinoids.
On the other hand, CBD does not produce the same euphoric effects or “high” as THC. CBD has several soothing and relaxing properties instead of the “feeling-high” associated with smoking weed or marijuana due to the presence of THC in them.
Here are a few facts to know about CBD:
- CBD is not the same thing as marijuana. CBD is a single chemical found in hemp and marijuana plants (cannabis plants within the Cannabaceae family). Cannabis is a kind of plant that contains several naturally occurring chemicals, including CBD.
- There is no evidence that CBD can be addictive in humans, and there is no indication that pure CBD use has any public health hazards.
- The FDA has only given one CBD product its seal of approval. A prescription drug called Epidiolex is being developed to manage seizures related with (LGS) or Lennox Gastaut syndrome, (TSC) Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, or Dravet syndrome (DS).
- CBD is legal in The United States (all 50 states). However, various limitations exist.
- It’s also unlawful to advertise CBD as a dietary supplement, and it’s also forbidden to mix it into food to sell it. While federal laws do exist, they are seldom upheld. CBD is readily accessible in most areas of the country. It’s usually consumed in the form of tincture oils. However, it’s also found in bread, sweets, tea, and coffee beverages.
CBD Oil’s Advantages
Tinctures made from CBD oil come with a variety of advantages. Here are some of the most prominent benefits associated with CBD oil use:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is commonly used to treat anxiety symptoms.
- Some patients use CBD oil for chronic diseases. CBD, for example, has been found to reduce and cure inflammatory and neuropathic pain in studies.
- CBD oil has been associated to help with sleeplessness in several studies.
- According to several studies, CBD is also effective in treating epileptic conditions in children. CBD has shown promise in treating Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
- According to research, CBD oil may help to relieve arthritic symptoms.
- CBD oil may also aid in treating a variety of other diseases. Scientists are still researching how CBD oil can help since it is a relatively new type of therapy.
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CBD’s Side Effects and Risks
CBD has its own set of potential adverse effects. The following are some examples:
- It’s possible to get nauseous with or without vomiting.
- Fatigue may be felt as a result of its potential to relax your nerves.
- Irritability is a possibility.
- Coumadin, a blood thinner, may rise in your blood.
- Some other drugs in your blood may be affected.
- It may impact your other drugs and prescribed medications interactions.
- Possible gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea may be felt.
- Male fertility may be harmed.
- Other unknown ingredients may be included, which may affect you.
What Is Alcohol, and What Makes It So Damaging?
The primary toxic chemical in alcoholic beverages is alcohol, often known as ethanol. This same stuff causes you to feel intoxicated by intoxicating your body.
Fermentation occurs in carbohydrates-rich foods e.g. potatoes, grains, and grapes due to the reaction of sugar and yeast. It’s also considered world’s most abusing drugs.
Alcohol can significantly alter your mental state, putting your motor skills, reasoning, and decision-making abilities at risk. People who drink alcohol usually act unrestrained while under the influence. It increases bravery, lowers timidity, and has a sedative impacts on the brain’s neurological system.
Alcoholism has many immediate and long-term consequences, including grogginess, slurred speech, blurred vision, poor judgment, hearing difficulties, coordination issues, and seizures.
Excessive alcohol consumption has many more severe consequences in the long run. Poisoning due to alcohol frequently turns to alcoholism, damage of nerves, starvation, liver disease, and irreversible brain damage. These are only a few of the damaging effects of drinking excessive alcohol.
What If You Mix CBD Oil with Alcohol?
According to some researchers, Cannabidiol can help individuals battling alcohol use disorder (AUD). CBD has been shown in animal studies to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and neuroprotective effects to help with addiction and withdrawal symptoms. It has shown promise in treating alcoholism, preventing relapse, and promoting sobriety. CBD appears to help people reduce their alcoholic drinks consumption, prevent relapses, and stay on track.
However, if you consume alcohol, you must be cautious about taking Cannabidiol at the same time. The interactions between CBD and alcohol may be amplified when both are consumed together, and drinking alcohol with Cannabidiol may heighten the CBD and alcohol effects. Because CBD and alcoholic beverages are depressants, mixing them might produce significant symptoms, making you feel calmer and less inhibited.
According to studies, when alcohol is combined with CBD, it has been found to hinder motor and psychomotor skills. People who have been using cannabis for a while may have trouble estimating the time it takes to complete various tasks. Combining CBD with alcoholic beer or cocktails can mislead you to estimate time correctly to finish tasks. But consuming only pure CBD alone has no such impact on your brain’s cognitive function.
Related: 7 Well Known Health Benefits of CBD Oil
Is It Safe to Combine CBD and Alcohol Together?
Mixing CBD and alcohol might not be safe as they can complement each other’s symptoms. You’re putting yourself at risk of injury owing to impairment if you’re feeling extra tired due to combining alcohol with CBD. You may also become less vigilant, raising your danger of getting hurt.
There is insufficient research on the effects of combining Cannabidiol with alcohol to determine whether it is hazardous with certainty. However, there is not enough data on how drinking alcohol affects CBD to make an informed decision.
Adverse Effects of Combining CBD with Alcohol
It’s still unclear exactly how CBD and alcohol interact when combined. Even today, too little human research is carried out to determine the potential adverse effects and interactions of mixing CBD and alcohol. Scientists currently understand that Cannabidiol may assist with alcohol addiction and withdrawal treatment. However, CBD has some similar adverse effects like drinking alcohol. Thus, you run the danger of accelerating those similar effects by mixing the two compounds together.
What About Drinking CBD Cocktails?
Mixing CBD into alcoholic beverages is not advised, even though there are a plethora of cocktail recipes on food and drink websites. There isn’t enough evidence to indicate that combining CBD with alcohol is safe.
Combining CBD with Alcohol: Are There Any Advantages?
Yes, there are several health advantages of combining CBD with alcoholic substances. CBD has been found to have beneficial effects on those who abuse alcohol in some research, and CBD has been observed to assist people in drinking less and recovering from addiction.
CBD has also been demonstrated to help treat hypothermia induced by alcohol. There is multiple proof that CBD might help lower blood alcohol levels.
Does CBD Help with Hangovers?
When it comes to treating a hangover, CBD may be beneficial. Because CBD has been found to assist with anxiety symptoms, which can occur along with a hangover, it might be helpful.
Alcohol Withdrawal and CBD: What to Expect?
It can be difficult for recovering alcoholics from coping with the side effects of withdrawal. CBD oil might be capable of assisting with some of the adverse effects of alcohol withdrawal. The reason behind this is CBD has been shown to help with anxiety, sleeplessness, and various seizures, it might be able to assist.
Cannabidiol has been shown to help people experiencing alcohol withdrawal in several scientific trials.
Does CBD Help with Cell Damage Induced by Alcohol?
Uncontrolled alcohol consumption can lead to cell damage. Inflammation and chronic illnesses such as liver disease, pancreatitis, different kinds of cancer, and more are all associated with this. CBD, in contrast, may help to prevent cell damage.
CBD also appears to be effective in preventing or treating alcohol-induced fatty liver diseases by encouraging autophagy, according to one study on mice. Autophagy is when new cells are generated and old ones destroyed.
CBD gels may also help to treat alcohol addiction by reducing the severity of brain cell injuries caused by alcohol. According to a study on rats, CBD gel applied to the skin reduced alcohol-induced brain cell damage by around 49 percent.
Does CBD Reduce Blood Alcohol Levels?
According to a research of 10 people, when they consumed 200 mg of CBD with alcohol, their blood alcohol levels were significantly lower than the scenario when they took only alcohol, including a placebo. While there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that CBD lowers blood alcohol concentration, some researchers think it does.
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CBD and Alcoholism Treatment Alternatives
CBD may assist those suffering from alcohol addiction. It has been found to aid in treating a wide range of addictions, and it’s also under investigation as a tobacco addiction therapy.
Researchers have found that CBD has a chemical structure that mimics the effects of endocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids naturally produced by the brain. Endocannabinoids normalize cell growth and healthy function in all nervous system regions, including the limbic system and cerebral cortex. Animal studies reveal that CBD can decrease alcohol affinity, alleviate adverse effects of alcohol withdrawal, perhaps, reduce the danger of relapse.
CBD might not be the only treatment applied for alcohol addiction, but it may help. If you or someone you know is having trouble with alcohol consumption, get help immediately. Alcoholic detoxification syndrome has the potential to be deadly. Seek expert assistance to stay safe.
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Takeaway: CBD and Alcohol
There are no long-term scientific studies on the impact of CBD and alcohol combination. Because the research on CBD and alcohol is inconsistent, it’s still unclear if combining them is entirely safe or dangerous.
The interaction among individuals will almost certainly be unique. Unpleasant symptoms like drowsiness and low blood pressure may trigger in specific circumstances. According to others, consuming alcohol has a beneficial impact on them, such as lowering nausea and headaches.
Although CBD and alcohol are both capable of soothing the nerves, combining them at higher dosages can lead to unpredictable results. If you want to enjoy your favorite beverage while still getting a more relaxing effect, stick with lower dosages of each substance- reducing unwanted side effects like lightheadedness or fainting!
CBD and alcohol can have a wide range of interactions, depending on why you’re taking them. It’s critical to learn more about any potential conflicts before experimenting because the effects vary considerably! If you’re going to mix CBD and alcohol anyhow, it’s usually advisable to go with a lower dose of each.
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