What Happens When You Mix CBD Oil and Alcohol

CBD has taken the health and wellness market by storm. The market is filled with CBD-infused products like oils, body creams, patches, bath bombs, protein powder and sports and energy drinks.

The alcoholic beverages market hasn’t been left behind. There are CBD-infused shots and other alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, these CBD-infused alcoholic products have not been received with the same enthusiasm as the CBD products.

Many CBD users are questioning the effects of combining CBD and alcohol and if it is safe.

What is CBD Oil?

To understand the interaction between CBD and alcohol, it’s best to start with what CBD is.

CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike the main component of the cannabis THC, CBD doesn’t have psychoactive properties and doesn’t cause a high.

Why not also read: Can you cook with CBD Oil?

CBD is extracted from the plant and mixed with a carrier oil which makes it easier to absorb into the body. The preferred carrier oils include coconut oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil.

Should You Take CBD-infused Beers?

One of the reasons why there’s concern about mixing alcohol and CBD oil is the rapidly expanding collection of CBD products which currently includes various CBD-infused beers and cocktails in the market.

The beers have been marketed as convenient and fast way to add CBD into your daily routine and the product has attracted attention from both consumers and beer manufacturers.

There’s no doubt that there is significant interest and considering that almost two billion people consume alcohol, the idea of CBD-infused alcoholic drinks is certainly one that strikes a lot of interest.  

Research is still needed to fully determine how CBD and alcohol affect each other and what the full repercussions are. At the moment, it’s obvious that CBD might amplify some of the effects of alcohol while counteracting others.  

Is CBD Oil and Alcohol Safe?

Excessive alcohol intake has far reaching negative effects on almost every part of the body. Although these effects depend on several variables like the type of drink and alcohol content, the implications of consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol have been extensively documented.

On the other hand, CBD oil is well tolerated and has very low toxicity. It doesn’t produce psychotropic side effects when prepared to the right standards and most CBD oils don’t contain any artificial additives or chemicals.

With the information obtained from current research, it seems safe to combine the two. However, it is vital to ensure that consumption is moderate for both products. It’s also highly recommended to talk to your doctor first before you start taking CBD-infused alcohol.

They may amplify each other’s effects

Alcohol causes a feeling of relaxation and reduces inhibitions. Research has shown that CBD can also reduce anxiety and cause a feeling of calm which are the same effects as alcohol. Mixing CBD and alcohol might amplify these effects. Some of the effects of mixing CBD and alcohol might include increased sedation and sleepiness.

It’s also possible for some people to experience a change in mood and behaviour after mixing CBD and alcohol. These effects could a result of impairment in motor performance and an altered perception of time as evidence in a recent study.

CBD May Inhibit the Negative Side Effects of Alcohol

There’s plenty to find out about the interaction between alcohol and CBD. However, preliminary research shows that CBD might prevent the adverse effects of alcohol in a few ways.

• May prevent cell damage and disease - Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with increased cell damage which increases the risk of inflammation, liver disease, pancreatitis and some types of cancer.
  Based on animal studies carried out, it was found that CBD can help to decrease brain-cell damage caused by alcohol consumption by up to 49%.
  Another study suggested that CBD can help protect against fatty liver disease caused by alcohol consumption.
• May reduce blood alcohol levels – A high blood alcohol levels mean greater loss of cognitive function and motor control. In a study, people who took 200mg of CBD with alcohol were found to have lower blood alcohol levels compared to those that consumed alcohol with a placebo.
• Maybe help with alcohol addiction – Several studies suggest that CBD might help in managing a variety of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. In one study conducted in rats, it was found that CBD can help prevent relapse, reduce alcohol intake and reduce the urge to consume alcohol.

Despite the research, it’s not clear what the exact effects of mixing CBD and alcohol could be. For CBD lovers that might be motivated to continue mixing CBD and alcohol, it’s highly advisable to stick to very low amounts to minimize risks and if possible, consult with a medical professional.  

Would you like to find out more about CBD? Explore our Ultimate CBD Guide for information on how you can take CBD, how it works and the recommended dosage guidelines.