What happens when alcohol is combined with CBD
In this article, we'll explain what happens in your body when you mix CBD with alcohol, what dangers it can pose to your health, and what the research says about it. CBD does not interact significantly with alcohol. Most research to date has shown little difference between groups of people drinking alcohol in combination with or without taking CBD.
However, the combination of these substances can sometimes lead to negative side effects in some individuals. The most common side effects are excessive drowsiness or low blood pressure (which can cause dizziness or fainting).
Many people use CBD to counteract the negative side effects of alcohol or to treat headaches and hangover nausea the next morning.
The effects of CBD and alcohol include:
- You may feel more tired or sleepy
- You may experience a drop in blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness)
- CBD can prevent some of the side effects of alcohol (nausea and cell damage)
Effects of CBD and alcohol
CBD (cannabidiol) is the primary active ingredient in cannabis plants. It is non-psychoactive, which means it has no effect on sobriety in any amount. People use CBD in the form of oils, capsules, gummies and vaping products to treat chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia and many other ailments.
The most common reason to mix CBD and alcohol is indirect. You can take CBD to manage symptoms and then go for a few drinks, inadvertently mixing the two compounds together. Some people intentionally take CBD along with alcohol to help prevent some of the unwanted side effects of drinking - such as nausea or headaches.
Some research has even suggested that CBD may reduce blood alcohol levels, but these results are speculative at best.
1. CBD and alcohol can cause drowsiness
CBD and alcohol share many similarities in terms of their effect profiles. Both are considered central nervous system relaxants, meaning they force the brain and nervous system to relax.
Too much relaxation can lead to side effects such as sedation or fatigue. When CBD is mixed with alcohol or other relaxants, they can amplify each other's effects and have a much stronger relaxing effect on the body. This can be good for those who want to improve their sleep.
One study found that 72 participants taking 25 to 75 mg of CBD for one month experienced a dramatic improvement in sleep quality. Other studies have shown similar results with drinking. One study took a deep dive into the effects of alcohol on sleep. This study found that low doses of alcohol (1 - 2 standard drinks) led to improvements in the first half of sleep.
The same study found that high doses of alcohol (more than two standard drinks) also improved the first half of sleep, but had a negative impact on the second half, when most REM sleep takes place. This interaction can also be a bad thing if you're having a few drinks with friends and don't want to fall asleep too early.
2. CBD and alcohol can cause a drop in blood pressure
In a similar way that CBD and alcohol can cause fatigue, they can also cause a drop in blood pressure levels. Both CBD and alcohol are considered vasodilators, meaning they cause blood vessels to relax and dilate. Think of blood vessels as a garden hose with water running through it.
When you place your thumb on the end of the hose to narrow the opening, the water shoots out in a much bluer stream. This is what happens when blood vessels constrict or constrict. When you remove your thumb and widen the opening, the pressure drops. This is the effect of CBD and alcohol on dilating blood vessels leading to a reduction in pressure.
When alcohol and CBD are combined, their effects combine, causing an even greater reduction in blood pressure levels.
If this effect is too strong, it can cause too low a pressure, making it harder for the heart to push enough blood and oxygen to the brain. This results in dizziness and vertigo. If the problem is too severe, it can cause fainting.
3. CBD can prevent the side effects of alcohol
Taking CBD oil with alcohol also has some benefits - such as relieving nausea or alcohol-induced headaches. Some research even suggests that CBD can reduce blood alcohol levels when drinking.
CBD oil reduces nausea and the urge to vomit
CBD oil is a reliable anti-nausea remedy, but only if you use full-spectrum CBD oil. Several cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can be used to help with nausea, but the strongest effect is from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive component of cannabis.
A good full-spectrum CBD oil should contain trace amounts of THC without having any psychoactive effects. CBD oil that contains small amounts of THC offers the highest level of effects against alcohol-induced nausea.
CBD and THC work by interacting with CB1 receptors in the brain stem where the nausea reflexes (aptly named the vomiting centre) are controlled. These receptors cause the release of serotonin, which suppresses the urge to vomit.
CBD oil can stop headaches
Headaches are a common side effect of drinking alcohol. They usually start to form when the effects of alcohol wear off or the following morning when you have a hangover. There are several reasons why alcohol causes headaches:
- Magnesium deficiency
- Dehydration
- Vitamin B deficiency
While CBD doesn't treat any of the underlying causes of alcohol-induced headaches, it can help remove numbness and manage pain.
Studies have shown that CBD can reduce headaches in several different categories, including migraines, cluster headaches, intracranial hypertension, and headaches related to nerve disease. There are also a number of anecdotal reports that suggest CBD may also help with headaches related to alcohol use.
The best way to prevent headaches after drinking alcohol is to also take plenty of water while drinking, and take a supplement containing magnesium and vitamin B at the end of the night. The effects of alcohol cause increased demands on these nutrients, which can cause depletion if they are not replenished by morning.
CBD and alcohol levels in blood
Some of the earlier research (1979) found that people who took 200 mg of CBD had lower blood alcohol levels than those who took a placebo. Higher blood alcohol levels correlated with higher levels of intoxication, loss of motor control, and changes in cognitive function.
CBD can lower blood alcohol levels by promoting faster alcohol metabolism in the liver. It should be noted that the evidence on this issue is quite weak. Animal studies published only in 2018 report no changes in blood alcohol levels between the CBD group and the placebo control group.
More research is needed to find out how CBD affects blood alcohol levels and this effect should not be relied on as a way to stay under the necessary limit when drinking.
Can CBD help with alcohol addiction?
Interesting research is underway into the potential of CBD to help doctors treat alcohol-dependent patients. It is used to treat withdrawal symptoms and suppress cravings by targeting the addiction centre in the brain.
Animal studies have shown that alcohol- and cocaine-addicted rats given CBD were less interested in seeking drugs. Researchers in the study concluded that CBD may be a useful tool to prevent relapses in recovering alcoholics.
CBD has shown similar properties in other forms of addiction, including addiction to benzodiazepines, opioids and stimulants.
Conclusion: can I mix CBD and alcohol?
There are currently no long-term studies examining the effects of CBD and alcohol when used in combination. It is unclear whether this is inherently safe or dangerous.
It is likely that the interaction is different for each individual. Some people may experience negative side effects such as drowsiness or low blood pressure. Others experience positive effects such as relief from nausea or headaches when consuming alcohol.
If you're going to combine CBD with alcohol, it's best to stick to a lower dose of each. This will reduce the chances of a compound effect occurring, which could lead to potentially dangerous side effects such as dizziness or fainting.
PHOTO: Shutterstock
"All information presented on this website, as well as all the information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information presented herein is intended to replace medical diagnosis and cannot be considered as medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not endorse or advocate the use of narcotics or psychotropic substances, including other illegal activities. For more information, please refer to our Liability Statement. "