Alcohol producers have gotten on board, creating CBD-infused beers, shots, and other alcoholic beverages. Cannabidiol (CBD) has lately become a household name in the health and wellness industry, appearing in countless supplements and natural health products.
Body creams, lip balms, protein bars, bath soaks, and other products can all be found with CBD included. But many have questioned whether mixing alcohol and CBD is safe.
Results of Combining Alcohol With CBD
1. They might enhance one another’s effects
Alcohol is believed to lower inhibitions and induce feelings of relaxation. CBD may similarly affect your body. According to research, it can ease anxiety and soothe your nerves. For instance, a study on 72 individuals revealed that consuming 25–75 mg of CBD daily for just one month reduced anxiety and enhanced sleep.
When CBD and alcohol are taken together, these effects may be amplified, resulting in symptoms including heightened drowsiness and sedation. Some people also assert that combining CBD with it can enhance each other’s effects, causing adjustments in mood and behavior.
A modest study examined the results of administering subjects 1 gram of alcohol and 200 mg of CBD for every 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of body weight. It was noted that mixing it and CBD led to significant changes in time perception and motor function. When participants consumed CBD alone, they did not experience these side effects (9Trusted Source).
However, this study is outdated and utilizes more CBD than most individuals. Sadly, a microscopic study has been done on the potential health benefits of combining CBD with alcohol.
A modest study examined the results of administering subjects 1 gram of alcohol and 200 mg of CBD for every 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of body weight.
2. CBD may defend against the adverse effects of alcohol
The results of combining CBD with alcohol are yet primarily unknown. However, encouraging evidence indicates that CBD may offer some protection against some of the detrimental effects of it. CBD may impact its effect in the following ways.
A. Could avert sickness and cell damage
Overindulging can damage cells, putting one at greater risk for inflammation and chronic conditions like pancreatitis, liver disease, and cancer. According to several research conducted on animals, CBD might defend against the cell harm that drinking it causes.
A rat study found that applying CBD gel to the skin could reduce the harm done to brain cells by drinking excessively by up to 49%. According to another study, CBD injections helped protect mice from alcohol-induced fatty liver disease by boosting autophagy. This process encourages the production of new cells and results in tissue regeneration.
CBD-rich cannabis extracts have been linked to liver damage in mice, according to one study. However, several of the mice used in that study got unusually high doses of the cannabis extract force-fed to them.
Whether CBD has any of these same effects in people is unknown. More research is required to determine if CBD can stop human cells from being damaged.
B. Blood alcohol levels could drop
The amount of alcohol in your blood is measured by your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Generally speaking, a higher BAC is associated with a more significant decline in motor coordination and brain function (14 Trusted Source).
The effects of CBD on blood levels have yet to be thoroughly studied. However, research on 10 individuals indicated that those who combined it with 200 mg of CBD had considerably lower blood alcohol levels than those who combined alcohol with a placebo. Therefore, additional research is required to ascertain how CBD may impact human blood alcohol levels.
3. Alcohol addiction treatment might be possible
According to some researchers, CBD may be able to cure alcohol use disorder. This is because animal research shows that CBD can help lessen withdrawal and addiction symptoms.
For instance, a recent study examined the effects of CBD in alcohol-dependent rats. It was discovered that CBD helped people drink less, avoid relapse, and lessen their desire to drink.
There is a shortage of human research. However, using a CBD inhaler for one week lowered cigarette consumption by 40%, according to a study involving 24 smokers. According to these findings, CBD may be able to reduce addictive behavior. To evaluate whether CBD is safe, more reliable studies are required.
