Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is finding its way to more and more Americans’ medicine cabinets. People are turning to CBD for help with various health issues, from sleep problems to joint pain. But, users are wondering if they can mix other substances with CBD, specifically alcohol. 

I spent hours researching whether you can use CBD and drink alcohol and talked with a healthcare professional. Here’s what you should know about mixing CBD and alcohol.

 

Quick Summary

• More research is needed to know if it’s safe to mix CBD and alcohol.
• There are positives and negatives to taking CBD and alcohol.
• CBD is great for lowering blood alcohol levels and reducing alcohol cravings.

 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the active compounds in the cannabis plant. THC and CBD are the two main active compounds. However, unlike THC, which is intoxicating, CBD isn’t. This means it won’t make you feel high.

Nowadays, CBD is available in various products, such as CBD oil, capsules, CBD gummies, creams, vapes and more. It’s proven to help anxiety and depression, inflammation and chronic diseases, high blood pressure, and other health conditions.

CBD became legal in the US under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as it’s hemp-derived and contains less than 0.3% THC.

Is it Safe to Take CBD With Alcohol?

More research is needed to know if it’s safe to take CBD with alcohol. The FDA says drinking alcohol and using CBD can make the user dangerously drowsy, which can be dangerous when performing some actions, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

Still, there’s only limited research available on mixing alcohol and CBD, so the effects are unclear. The result depends on several factors, such as how much CBD and alcohol you take and the amount of THC in the CBD product you use. Generally, THC is more likely to interact with alcohol than CBD.

The issue is that CBD products aren’t regulated by the FDA, so you’re only relying on the manufacturer’s claims. Some manufacturers decide to include higher than allowed doses of THC for a more potent effect.

Overall, more research is needed to know how blood alcohol concentration and alcohol addiction affect the user when paired with CBD. Generally, it’s best to stick to products with low doses of CBD and THC when drinking alcohol. If you stick to one or two drinks and a small dose of CBD, there shouldn’t be any significant reactions.

 

What Happens When You Take CBD and Alcohol Together

When you consume alcohol, it quickly goes into the bloodstream, and you feel the effects in 10 minutes. Alcohol alters brain functions and affects speech and judgment. CBD isn’t as intoxicating. 

CBD affects the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is made up of receptors throughout the body. This system regulates our mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and more. CBD affects the ECS system, which is how it helps various health conditions. 

Taking CBD and alcohol together can amplify their effects. Alcohol is known to reduce inhibitions and promotes relaxation, and CBD has a similar effect. It reduces anxiety and calms the nerves. Taking alcohol and CBD together can amplify these effects, which can lead to sleepiness and sedation. One study found that alcohol and CBD resulted in lower motor performance.

Pros and Cons

These are the benefits of combining alcohol and CBD:

• CBD can prevent cell damage and disease — Too much alcohol can damage cells, which can result in inflammation and chronic diseases, such as liver disease and cancer. CBD can ensure cell damage doesn’t happen by too much alcohol.
• Lower blood alcohol levels — One study found that taking CBD and alcohol resulted in lowered blood alcohol concentration.
• Helps with alcohol use disorder — CBD can help with treating alcohol addiction by reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, CBD can even curb alcohol cravings and alcohol abuse.
• Hangover cure — There’s evidence that CBD can help with hangover anxiety. Also, because it reduces the level of alcohol in the blood, it means you get less drunk and less hangovers.

These are the negative effects of drinking alcoholic beverages and CBD:

• Impaired judgment
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Impaired memory
• Low reaction time
• Low coordination

These side effects are usually mild and temporary, and the side effects of alcoholic beverages are more severe than those of CBD.

 

Should You Consume CBD and Alcohol?

There are both pros and cons to using CBD and alcohol together. Some animal studies even show CBD can help with liver toxicity and blood alcohol levels and reduce cravings. But some data shows consuming alcohol leads to dizziness, nausea, and lower motor skills.

Keep the alcohol consumption and the dose of CBD low to check how it affects you. If you’re taking other medication, consult your healthcare provider before mixing with CBD and alcohol, and make sure to arrange transportation. Plan ahead, and you shouldn’t experience any side effects of CBD and alcohol.

 

References

Farm Bill. (n.d.). Www.usda.gov. https://www.usda.gov/farmbill 

Office of the Commissioner. (2019). What to Know About Products Containing Cannabis and CBD. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis 

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Consroe, P., Carlini, E. A., Zwicker, A. P., & Lacerda, L. A. (1979). Interaction of cannabidiol and alcohol in humans. Psychopharmacology, 66(1), 45–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431988

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