Can I drink alcohol while taking CBD Oil?

Despite CBD being non-psychoactive, meaning it won't get you high, we get a lot of questions about how CBD oil affects the human body and whether or not you can continue your daily life while consuming CBD.

One of the more common questions we've seen people asking online is, "can I drink alcohol while taking CBD oil?"

The simple answer to this is yes, but there are a few things you might want to consider before mixing CBD with alcohol.

To understand why, let's first take a look at what CBD oil is and how it works in the body.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is one of over a hundred cannabinoid compounds in the cannabis plant. It is regularly used worldwide as a supplement to support a healthy lifestyle. 

It comes in many forms, including tinctures, topicals and edibles.

CBD oil is commonly used to support the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a recently discovered network of receptors that runs throughout the body and interacts with the central and peripheral nervous systems.

CBD binds with these receptors, helping with homeostasis, which is your body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal state, regardless of what you are doing or changes in your environment.

Along with the many other cannabinoid compounds, CBD doesn't tend to form part of our natural diet, so we can use CBD oil as a supplement to help ensure your ECS is working at its best.

Are CBD and alcohol safe?

Despite its many known adverse effects, including the potential for long-lasting organ damage, alcohol is a substance regularly used by many people around the world.

CBD has been deemed to be safe to use by the WHO, with the organisation finding that "CBD is generally well tolerated" and also noting that "there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD."

So, if both CBD and alcohol are safe to consume, can you mix the two?

The simple answer is yes, but as with anything, some risks can be associated with doing so.

When taken in moderation, the chances of any adverse effects are low. Since there is no evidence that taking CBD and alcohol together will result in any serious health problems, we strongly advise against excessive consumption of either substance.

Does CBD oil react with alcohol?

While CBD is deemed safe for consumption and alcohol is ok within limits, there is still limited research on the effects of mixing alcohol with CBD.

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning that it reduces brain stimulation. CBD can be described as a relaxant, meaning that it brings a feeling of calm.

There are concerns that combining alcohol and CBD could intensify each other's effects and therefore lead to drowsiness or behavioural changes in the consumer.

It is difficult to fully understand what the combination of alcohol and CBD means due to the lack of scientific exploration at this stage, so it is wise to err on the side of caution.

Regular excessive alcohol consumption can significantly impact your body, including causing damage to the brain, nervous system, heart, liver and pancreas, as well as increasing cholesterol and blood pressure. 

Based on what we do know, it is recommended that if you are going to take CBD oil and alcoholic beverages at the same time, then you should do so in moderation.

What about CBD infused alcoholic drinks?

Due to the popularity of CBD oils in recent years, it has been used to create numerous types of ingestible products, including CBD-infused sweets and treats.

Despite the unknown entities surrounding CBD and alcohol, many companies have combined the two substances to create CBD-infused beer or cocktails.

But the same concerns apply. It is hard to know the combined effects on individual people.

As with any product, particularly one containing CBD, we would always recommend caution before you try.

Check that the company you are buying from is reputable and trustworthy and if you decide to taste test, do so with care and consideration, and start small.

What are the CBD and alcohol benefits?

CBD oil is most commonly used to improve wellbeing, with many people using it to help manage anxiety, stress, pain and insomnia.

While CBD oil is not a cure-all, it is thought to help manage these and other conditions.

Alcohol intake, on the other hand, is a substance that has been used for centuries for its psychoactive effects.

While alcohol can have some positive short-term effects, such as reducing anxiety, in the long-term, it is more likely to cause problems such as liver damage, addiction and mental health issues.

Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that can lead to numerous health complications, including organ damage, mental health, and social issues.

We advise speaking to a medical professional if you are worried about your alcohol consumption.

CBD oil is not known to cause addiction or serious health problems, and its long-term effects are largely unknown.

However, it is always important to be cautious when taking any new substance and to start with a low dose to see how your body reacts.

Side effects of CBD oil and alcohol

CBD oil is generally considered safe, and most people who take it experience no adverse side effects.

The most common side effects of CBD oil are:

• dry mouth
• dizziness
• nausea
• diarrhoea
• changes in appetite
• tiredness

These rare side effects are usually mild and temporary.

Consuming alcohol can cause several short and long-term side effects, including:

• impaired judgment
• slurred speech
• drowsiness
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• loss of coordination
• decreased reaction time
• increased risk of accidents
• memory problems
• blackouts
• addiction
• liver damage
• high blood pressure
• stroke

As you can see, the side effects of alcohol are much more severe than those of CBD oil.

It is also important to note that alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, and withdrawal symptoms can include tremors, anxiety, sweating, nausea and vomiting.

Can CBD lower blood alcohol levels?

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in your blood.

It is measured by the weight of alcohol in a certain blood volume and is used to determine if someone is legally drunk.

There is some evidence to suggest that CBD may help to reduce blood alcohol levels.

A study done in the 1970s found that when people took 200mg of CBD with alcohol, their BAC was significantly lower than when they took alcohol with a placebo.

However, it is essential to note that this study is outdated and used a very high dose of CBD.

It is also worth noting that other studies have found conflicting results.

Some animal studies had found that CBD did not affect blood alcohol levels when it was given to rats alongside alcohol.

It is important to remember that more research is needed in this area, and we would always recommend caution before you try combining CBD oil with alcohol.

How long after taking CBD oil can I drink alcohol?

If you are taking CBD oil, it is advisable to wait at least four hours after your last dose before consuming alcohol.

This will give the CBD time to leave your system and will help to reduce the chances of any adverse side effects.

As mentioned above, it is always essential to start with a low dose of CBD oil and increase gradually as needed.

The bottom line

Everybody is different, and how one person reacts to something won't be universal. 

Someone who drinks regularly might not feel the effects of a bottle of wine, whereas an occasional drinker might feel tipsy after one glass.

In the same way, people can react differently to hemp-derived CBD products, so it is difficult to say with certainty how you personally would respond to combining CBD and alcohol.

You can minimise risk by drinking alcohol responsibly and in moderation and using a good quality CBD product from a trusted brand. If you're unsure, don't do it.