CBD Instead of Alcohol: Is It A Good Alternative?
Not everyone likes drinking alcohol, and many people are cutting back on their alcohol consumption. Yet, they want something that allows them to enjoy themselves at parties or helps them relax. The alternative is consuming CBD instead of alcohol. Due to the growing popularity of CBD products like drinks, you can buy a variety of flavored CBD mixes to blend with water or juice or add a dose of CBD oil to your favorite drink base. People also use products like gummies to replace alcohol because they experience many benefits, while alcohol is harmful to the body in numerous ways.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read):
Alcohol has many potential harmful effects, including liver and brain damage. As more people choose to pursue healthy lifestyles, they are reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption and using CBD instead of alcohol. Alcohol is addictive and can cause significant health issues, like liver disease. CBD is non-addictive and considered safe. Using CBD drinks to replace alcohol can work at social events or at home when ready to relax.
Table of Contents
Comparing CBD and Alcohol
When you are looking for calming drinks instead of alcohol, CBD is a natural choice. Comparing CBD drinks vs. alcohol reveals there are many differences between CBD and alcohol.
1. CBD is non-intoxicating
Unlike alcohol, CBD is not a psychoactive cannabinoid, so it does not cause slurred speech, intoxication or impaired cognitive functioning.
It is a safer option when you must drive. It only takes the consumption of a few alcoholic drinks in a couple of hours to cause enough intoxication to make driving unsafe.
2. CBD and alcohol may interact with the CNS in different ways
Alcohol may make you feel relaxed, but only for a short time. The feeling is due to alcohol slowing the Central Nervous System (CNS) and acting as a sedative. There is sparse research that has found excessive alcohol consumption may interact with the endocannabinoid system in the brain. Still, it is not known for sure if it alters the production of endocannabinoids. CBD interacts positively with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which maintains homeostasis in the body’s critical systems, like the immune system.
3. CBD is not addictive
Unlike alcohol, which is addictive and subject to abuse, CBD is non-addictive. This safety aspect of CBD can provide a sense of security that alcohol consumption cannot offer.
Is CBD Oil Addictive?
4. Alcohol can cause physical harm
Alcohol can cause severe health conditions, especially when consumed in large amounts over a long period. There are rare cases of people taking high daily doses of CBD and developing abnormalities in liver blood tests. However, the growing body of clinical research shows that CBD is considered safe to consume and delivers physical benefits and no harm.
5. CBD has fewer risks
Per the Centers for Disease Control, alcohol presents many risks, including leading to violence and injuries to self and others. CBD side effects are mostly the risk of experiencing mild side effects, like dry mouth or drowsiness.
6. Alcohol and CBD may interact with some medications
Alcohol and CBD should not be mixed with some medications. For example, alcohol should not be mixed with medications like blood thinners, blood pressure medicines, and antidepressants. CBD should not be taken with medications like blood thinners and thyroid medication. It is important to discuss taking CBD with your doctor.
Can You Consume CBD and Alcohol Together?
There is not a lot of research on the effects of consuming CBD and alcohol together. The main risk, per the FDA, is that mixing CBD and alcohol may increase sedation and drowsiness. There is limited research that CBD may protect against some of alcohol’s harmful effects.
Can You Take CBD with Alcohol?
Benefits of Using CBD Instead of Alcohol
1. CBD does not cause a high
The only way to experience a high is by taking a product that contains more than 0.3% THC, and those products are not federally legal unless a medical doctor prescribes them for health reasons. This makes CBD a safer alternative for relaxing.
2. CBD has many potential benefits
People drink alcohol to relax or to socialize, but there are few, if any, health benefits, especially if alcohol is drunk in excess. A large number of clinically controlled research projects have found that CBD may reduce feelings of discomfort. Alcohol makes you feel drowsy initially, but it disrupts the ability to fall asleep and reduces REM sleep. CBD has been shown through research to support better sleep. Alcohol, especially when misused, can cause a lot of harm, including affecting judgment, causing uninhibited behavior, slowing reaction time, etc.
3. CBD is safer than alcohol to consume
CBD is considered safe to consume in most cases. The only exceptions are when taking certain medications or when pregnant, and those exceptions apply to alcohol, also. Alcohol has the potential to cause harm to the brain, heart, and liver. Non-alcoholic CBD drinks can be consumed instead. Researchers and anecdotal evidence have shown CBD can support relaxation without the harmful effects of alcohol.
4. Can take CBD at any time of the day
Broad spectrum and isolate CBD products are THC-free. You can take them throughout the day or in the evening. Some people take CBD in the morning and midday as an energy booster. The times you can drink alcohol are limited, and you should not drink at work or when planning on driving.
FAQs
Is CBD a Good Alternative to Alcohol?
Using CBD drinks to replace alcohol is a good decision. CBD is non-addictive, and research has shown it may have many benefits, like increasing feelings of relaxation and improving sleep. Alcohol is addictive, and its long-term use can cause a lot of physical harm. Alcohol can also impair your ability to drive, and some people get belligerent when drinking. You can drive while taking CBD and safely enjoy the benefits.
Can You Use CBD Gummies to Replace Alcohol?
Yes, CBD gummies can be a great alternative to alcohol. They are sweet, easy to take, discreet, and simple to chew and swallow, making them a convenient option for relaxation without the downsides of alcohol.
Does CBD Give You the Same Buzz as Alcohol?
No, CBD does not cause a buzz or a high because of the way it interacts with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
Can CBD Help with Hangovers?
CBD does not “cure” a hangover, but it may help relieve some of the symptoms, including relief from discomfort.
What Are the Side Effects of Replacing Alcohol with CBD?
There are many positive side effects of replacing alcohol with CBD. They include reduced harms associated with alcohol consumption, increased calming effects without intoxication, improved sleep because alcohol disrupts REM sleep and other benefits that researchers have found, like more energy.
Can CBD Become Addictive?
CBD is not addictive. This means you can take CBD every day. Alcohol is addictive and can be challenging to withdraw from once its consumption is a habit. Some people take CBD gummies to replace alcohol consumption. CBD gummies are convenient to carry, so they are always available.
Buy High-Quality CBD Products
High-quality CBD products should be third-party tested with Certificates of analysis. You can then verify the CBD potency, amount of THC and other cannabinoids and whether there are any toxic substances.
If you are striving to quit alcohol for health reasons, CBD may help, but it is not a cure for alcoholism or medical conditions. You should address the underlying reasons for drinking alcohol and the desire to quit, whether it is addiction or a health issue. Some people choose to stop drinking alcohol because of the potential harm it can do to their health. As more is learned about CBD, more people are using CBD to replace alcohol. Replacing alcoholic drinks with CBD beverages is one way to pursue a healthier lifestyle.
Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35223337/
- https://pharmacy.unc.edu/2023/11/cbd-effects-on-the-liver/
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31120285/Much more research is needed.
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
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