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Mixing CBD and Alcohol: The Truth Revealed

Mixing CBD and Alcohol: The Truth Revealed
 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.

It can be used in several products, including oils, bath bombs, capsules, lotions, and even different foods. While people have used the cannabis plant to relieve pain for many years, CBD has boomed in popularity in more recent years. Many people have turned to CBD oils and products as a miracle cure for everything from anxiety to chronic pain. While some people swear by it, there is a growing concern about taking CBD and drinking alcohol, but how much truth do these warnings hold? At Banyan Treatment Centers Pompano rehab, we are giving you the facts about mixing CBD and alcohol.

What Happens When You Mix CBD With Alcohol?

With many drugs, drinking alcohol can be problematic. This is because the chemicals in the drugs are meant to do one thing, but when they interact with the chemicals in alcohol, the effects can change or increase. Because CBD has only recently grown in popularity, there is still a lot of research that needs to be done in this area. According to the current information available, when you mix CBD and alcohol, several things can happen.

Some people believe that the interaction between CBD and alcohol can lead to exasperated alcohol effects such as impaired movement, mental confusion, and poor motor skills. This idea would mean that drinking alcohol after taking CBD could leave you feeling more drunk, showing greater signs of intoxication, but this may not be true.

Research suggests that both subjects who had alcohol mixed with CBD and those who only had alcohol alone demonstrated poor motor performance, overestimations of time, and felt intoxicated compared to a placebo group. There were few differences in these effects between the two alcohol groups. Interestingly, the CBD group actually had a lower blood alcohol level.1 While it was initially believed that CBD could heighten the level of alcohol intoxication, CBD doesn’t seem to have much of an effect.

Other research studies show that CBD might even aid in alcohol abuse treatment in the future. While this is a new area with limited research, one study found that CBD in rodents helped reduce alcohol-seeking, self-administration of alcohol, and withdrawal-induced convulsions.2 If these similar effects could be extended to humans, CBD could be a viable aid in addiction recovery in the future.

If CBD could help with alcoholism, it may also be useful for dual diagnosis treatment. Several people who abuse alcohol also struggle with mental health problems and use alcohol to cope with these issues. CBD has been found to decrease anxiety and help with psychosis.3

Does CBD Get You High?

Contrary to its well-known rival, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD has no euphoric or intoxication effects. In other words, using CBD won't make you feel high. This means that it is also less addictive than its psychedelic counterpart. These cannabinoids interact differently with the brain's receptors, which accounts for the fundamental difference in psych activity.

Noteworthy CBD effects on the brain include:

  • Non-psychoactive: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the brain but does not directly connect to the CB1 receptors that provide the "high" experience, making it non-psychoactive. As opposed to having a direct impact on receptors, it has an indirect effect that may have a number of advantageous physiological consequences without influencing a person's mental state.
  • Anxiolytic properties: Studies suggest that CBD has calming effects on anxiety and tension by affecting the brain's mood and emotion-regulating receptors. Without impairing cognitive function, this calming effect is produced.
  • Neuroprotective effects: Research suggests that CBD may have neuroprotective properties that may help prevent brain damage brought on by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Despite the fact that CBD is typically well accepted, some people may experience moderate side effects like weariness or drowsiness. Rarely, a phenomenon known as "CBD brain fog" has been noted, in which some users assert that they feel mentally foggy or find it difficult to concentrate after ingesting CBD.

However, this impact is a subjective sensation of mild cognitive haziness rather than a euphoric high like THC-induced impairment. It is crucial to remember that these experiences might differ greatly amongst people, and additional study is required to properly comprehend the mechanisms underlying CBD brain fog and its prevalence.

Regardless of what the research currently says, this area of study still needs to be explored. It is best to avoid mixing alcohol and CBD until more research can be done on the subject. If you or a loved one is struggling with your alcohol intake with or without the presence of CBD, you should get help. Our Pompano Beach rehab center has a variety of therapy programs to work with people on overcoming alcoholism.

Do not let drugs or alcohol dictate your life. If you or someone you know requires addiction and mental health treatment in Pompano, reach out to us today at 888-280-4763.

Sources:

  1. NCBI - Interaction of cannabidiol and alcohol in humans.
  2. NCBI - Transdermal delivery of cannabidiol attenuates binge alcohol-induced neurodegeneration in a rodent model of an alcohol use disorder
  3. NCBI - Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for psychosis

Related Reading:

What Happens When You Drink Alcohol Every Day?

Can CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

 
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.