What you should know about mixing CBD and alcohol

If you’re an adult, you already know that mixing substances is a mixed bag. Sometimes you get the results you want, and sometimes you lie in the fetal position wondering how much longer you will have to endure your self-inflicted struggle. The same goes for CBD and alcohol.

The combination of cannabis and alcohol is well documented. Some people enjoy the mellow effects, while others experience a terrible, blinding high that is often more difficult to deal with than a simple episode of drunkenness.

When it comes to CBD and alcohol, there isn’t much data, although there are some manufacturers that produce prepackaged alcohol drinks infused with CBD. From the few studies that have been conducted, some experts theorize that alcohol and CBD may enhance each other’s effects, for better or worse.

While some may assume that people will become less inhibited and more relaxed as this is one of the most common positive side effects of CBD and alcohol, a 1979 study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that the combination of CBD and alcohol has significant effects may have mood and behavior changes. Researchers found that mixing these substances led to impaired motor performance and caused participants to lose track of time. On the other hand, it was also shown that those who consumed CBD capsules had lower blood alcohol levels.

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

(NOTE: It is important to highlight that this information comes from an outdated study as it used a much higher dose of CBD than would be the case in a current study.)

Photo by Oliver King via Unsplash

A more recent study published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2019 concluded that “there are too few human studies to draw conclusions about the interactions between CBD and alcohol.”

RELATED: What to Expect When Combining Alcohol and Cannabis

There is currently not enough information to form an accurate picture, and there is no way to give people an estimate of the results they would get from combining alcohol and CBD.

It is important to note that CBD could help recover from alcohol addiction and deal with some hangover side effects. Consistent use of the compound could protect people’s livers from alcohol damage, reducing withdrawal symptoms and the likelihood of relapse. When it comes to treating more basic symptoms of a hangover, CBD is capable of treating nausea and headaches.