How CBD Interacts with Alcohol & Potential Benefits

At some point you’ve likely been taught not to mix alcohol with medications or other substances. But about CBD and alcohol? We’ll take you through the safety and possible benefits of mixing CBD and alcohol in our guide below.

What Is CBD?

Short for cannabidiol, CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids (including THC) found in cannabis plants that interact with receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Basically, CBD interacts with two receptors found in the ECS—called CB1 and CB2—to help the system better regulate important bodily functions that range from pain, anxiety, mood, blood pressure, and more.

Effects of CBD

One major myth regarding CBD is that because it comes from cannabis plants, it contains psychoactive properties similar to THC. Generally, CBD is derived from hemp plants, which contain significantly lower amounts of THC. While CBD may still contain trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less), using CBD will not result in a “high” effect. Instead, implementing CBD into your wellness routine can result in feelings of calmness. Additionally, research has shown CBD has the potential to help with pain relief as well as quality of sleep.

Is CBD Safe to Mix with Alcohol?

The answer: Probably.

Although CBD interacts with the ECS—which regulates major bodily functions—it’s merely supplementing the system with additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are already naturally produced by the body. Essentially, CBD is providing a boost to the ECS, as opposed to causing a major change or shift in the system’s function.

Mixing alcohol with medication or other substances can be harmful due to amplified medication risks, inadvertent ingredient reactions with alcohol, and other factors. What makes mixing CBD and alcohol different, though, is CBD’s ingredients are already naturally produced by the body, so combining them with alcohol could cause the same bodily effects as if CBD wasn’t present.

Benefits of CBD’s Interaction with Alcohol

So what is CBD good for? In addition to helping the ECS perform at optimal levels, CBD may also provide some benefits it terms of the prevention and treatment of some types of alcohol-related conditions. One study performed on rodents showed that CBD can actually help prevent and treat neurodegeneration, a brain disorder that can be caused by alcohol. Other research showed that CBD can protect the liver from alcohol-induced steatosis, which is often found in the liver and known as fatty liver disease.

In another study, subjects that were given a combination of CBD and alcohol showed a much lower blood alcohol level than those who were given an equivalent amount of just alcohol. Although impairment was nearly identical between the two conditions, there’s a possibility CBD may be linked to removing alcohol from the bloodstream.

Can CBD Help with Hangovers?

While it can’t prevent hangovers, there’s evidence that suggests one of CBD oil’s uses may be to reduce some hangover symptoms—specifically nausea, vomiting, and headaches. In a study done to test cannabinoids’ effectiveness against nausea and vomiting, giving subjects a CBD supplement showed promise in suppressing both nausea and vomiting.

Additionally, CBD can potentially help with headaches, particularly through the “Entourage Effect.”By introducing additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids into the body, a synergistic effect takes place that boosts the ECS, which plays a vital role in managing pain.

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