Can You Take CBD with Alcohol?
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CBD oils and tinctures have become so popular it is not surprising that people are mixing oil and alcohol. In fact, a recent analysis and forecast report, offered by ResearchandMarkets.com and funded by some major producers in the CBD-infused beverages market for the period 2019-2025, says that sales of this kind of beverages will reach $1,018.3 million by the year 2025.
In addition, medical researchers are studying the combined effects of consuming CBD with alcohol, and the results indicate the two ingredients can have a synergistic effect.
Can You Mix CBD Oil and Alcohol?
Is it safe to mix CBD with alcohol? So far, Medical research has not found evidence that mixing CBD oil and alcohol is unsafe. There are millions of people already drinking CBD-infused alcoholic drinks and experiencing positive effects.
However, it would be best if you used both CBD and alcohol responsibly. Both CBD and alcohol can produce relaxation, so consuming them together is likely to amplify the feeling.
Effects of Combining CBD Oil and Alcohol
Medical research is ongoing, with most studies at the preclinical stage (conducted with animals). CBD may actually limit some of the potentially harmful effects of alcohol. Though there are no definitive conclusions yet because more research is needed, the preliminary findings of multiple research projects indicate that CBD might protect against the possible harmful effects of alcohol, like liver and brain damage. (PMID: 31120285)
Alcohol reduces inhibitions and promotes a feeling of relaxation, as noted. Limited CBD research and lots of anecdotal evidence have indicated CBD may promote relaxation. (PMID: 21307846) Mixing the two means the CBD and alcohol interaction could amplify the feeling of relaxation and sleepiness.
One important point to remember is that each person reacts differently to CBD and alcohol. It’s difficult to anticipate the effects of mixing alcohol and CBD, so it is always recommended to use a small dose of CBD in an alcoholic drink with minimum alcohol until you are comfortable with the effects.
Can CBD Replace Alcohol?
Alcohol has a psychoactive effect, meaning it alters the mental state. CBD is not a psychoactive substance. In that sense, CBD cannot replace alcohol.
People can get addicted to alcohol and prolonged heavy consumption can cause significant health problems. Alcohol can impair balance, speech and vision because it directly impacts brain functioning. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid systems, does not cause intoxication and is not addictive.
People drink alcoholic drinks for many reasons, and one of them is that it helps them relax when consumed in moderation. CBD can replace alcohol to promote relaxation without the possible negative effects of alcohol.
CBD-Infused Drinks
CBD-infused alcoholic drinks and CBD-infused beer are rapidly growing in popularity. Both are now sold in retail stores, online and at bars and restaurants.
You can buy pre-mixed CBD drinks or mix your own using your favorite recipes at home. Some people make their favorite drink as they normally do and add CBD oil or CBD tincture. The CBD oil will typically float on top of the drink. The CBD tincture made with alcohol as the solvent will thoroughly mix with the cocktail ingredients.
Following are some suggested guidelines.
- Carefully measure the amount of CBD added to a drink to avoid adding more than intended.
- Start with a small amount of CBD, adding more over time to drinks until you are satisfied with the results.
- Try CBD oil or CBD tincture in a variety of drinks to find the CBD-infused cocktails that taste best.
- Avoid drinking multiple CBD-infused alcoholic drinks at a single sitting to ensure you don’t consume more CBD in total than planned.
- Only buy CBD oil and CBD tinctures from high-quality, reliable vendors who have products tested by a third-party lab.
- Remember the fact additional ingredients in CBD oils and tinctures may change the taste of certain drinks or not mix well with certain types of alcohol.
- Drink CBD-infused beer or cocktails in the evening and not in the morning before work since both have a soothing effect.
Always Use Common Sense
When mixing CBD oil or CBD tincture in drinks, it only makes sense to use common sense. Alcohol and CBD are being safely mixed by many people, but their effects are heightened since both promote a feeling of relaxation. One suggestion is to take the CBD oil or CBD tincture by itself first to check out its flavor and any potential reaction you may have to the product. If there is no reaction, then try it in a favorite cocktail. Enjoy!
Sources
- https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5130528/global-cbd-infused-beverages-market-focus-on
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31120285/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079847/ (PMID: 21307846)
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