Alcohol and CBD: Things to Know
Can I drink alcohol and take CBD oil? We hear this question from customers again and again. In this article, we look at the interaction of CBD and alcohol and present various studies. First of all, however, we need to understand what CBD is and how it works (and for those already familiar, just scroll down to Does CBD React with Alcohol? below).
What Is CBD?
CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. People all over the world take CBD as a dietary supplement for a healthy lifestyle or to treat various diseases and symptoms. CBD oil products online in Australia are very popular. While CBD comes in many different forms, CBD oils are particularly popular.
How does CBD work? CBD interacts with what is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This’s a network of receptors that run throughout the body and interact with the central and peripheral nervous systems. CBD binds to these receptors and aids in homeostasis – keeping the body’s physiological functions in balance. We’ve written about this in detail before, so check out our article: CBD and The Endocannabinoid System: What It Is and Why It Matters!
Cannabinoid compounds like CBD aren’t typically part of our natural diet. Therefore, we can take CBD products such as CBD oils, or use CBD creams, to help ensure optimal functioning of the ECS.
How Safe Is CBD Oil?
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies CBD as safe. The organization found that CBD is generally well tolerated and there’s no evidence of public health issues associated with recreational use of CBD. Our CBD oil products online in Australia are tested by independent laboratories to ensure their safety and quality, too, and you can check the reports here for peace of mind.
Does CBD React with Alcohol?
The relationship between CBD and alcohol hasn’t yet been explored in detail. It’s important to know that alcohol is a depressant and reduces the stimulation of the brain. CBD is more of a relaxant and brings a sense of calm. Therefore, it may be that CBD and alcohol together enhance their effects. This could either promote feelings of relaxation or lead to side effects such as drowsiness – Down To Earth Oils.
Why CBD Might be Useful When Consuming Alcohol?
Regular and heavy drinking can wreak havoc on the body – including damaging the brain, nervous system, heart, liver, and pancreas, as well as raising cholesterol and blood pressure. It could be that CBD oil can alleviate these negative effects. Two studies, in particular, suggest this:
- According to a 2013 study (in the Journal of Pharmacology Biochemistry), CBD “can attenuate alcohol-induced neurodegeneration.”
- According to a 2014 study (in Free Radical Biology and Medicine), CBD protects the liver from binge drinking. This’s mainly done by CBD inhibits oxidative stress and protects the growth of damaged or redundant cells. It might even result in a less intense hangover the next day. Finally, CBD can also help with many hangover symptoms, such as headaches and nausea.
Most studies point in much the same direction: CBD and alcohol don’t negatively interact with each other. Nevertheless, further studies are absolutely necessary. There’s currently no 100% certainty about the effects of a glass or two of wine and CBD.
What about CBD-Infused Alcohol?
Many new CBD products have been developed in recent years. Although the interaction of CBD and alcohol hasn’t yet been researched in detail, some companies have also enriched alcoholic beverages with CBD. The same concerns apply to such products: we don’t know exactly how alcohol and CBD interact. So always try with caution!
Tip: Only buy your CBD oil products online in Australia from reputable and trustworthy CBD retailers. Above all, try to ensure that CBD products don’t contain more than 0.3% THC, otherwise, you might have problems with authorities depending on what country you’re in.
Digression: CBD and Alcohol Withdrawal
According to various animal studies, CBD can alleviate addiction and withdrawal symptoms. For example, in one study, rats were made addicted to alcohol and then fed CBD. The result? After regular consumption of CBD, the rats consumed less alcohol and the likelihood of relapse decreased. Another study found that smokers smoked 40 percent fewer cigarettes after using a CBD inhaler.
Final Thoughts
Can you ingest CBD oil and drink alcohol? It’s probably not a problem. But keep in mind that the exact effects of CBD in combination with alcohol haven’t yet been researched.
Besides, every person is different. A regular drinker won’t feel the same effects from a bottle of wine as a casual drinker who feels tipsy after just one glass. Likewise, people can react differently to CBD. It’s therefore difficult to predict how you’ll react to the combination of CBD and alcohol.
If you want to try CBD and alcohol, you should approach this mix carefully. You can minimize the risk by drinking responsibly and in moderation – and choosing a good quality CBD product from a trusted brand.
Of course, always check with your health professional before commencing any new supplement regimes, too.
Feel free to visit our shop and browse through our range of premium CBD products and hemp oils online in Australia. If you have any questions, contact us. We’re here for you!