Can You Mix CBD Oil and Alcohol?

CBD-Infused Cocktails… It’s a Thing Now!

CBD-infused cocktails have recently become a hot new trend in the craft cocktail world. Due to its lack of psychoactive effects, CBD is the preferred cannabinoid when it comes to mixing with alcoholic drinks. A typical CBD-infused cocktail contains about 5-15 mg of CBD per drink. Many people are wondering about the effects and repercussions when you mix CBD oil and alcohol.

While CBD is still not entirely legal as a food supplement according to the FDA, CBD-infused cocktails have been gaining popularity throughout bars in the United States. People are even making their own CBD-infused cocktails at home and finding other creative ways of incorporating CBD into their routines. 

Non-flavored CBD hemp oil has a very earthy, plant-like taste, so it is usually mixed with stronger-flavored cocktails to avoid being overwhelming. Flavored CBD oil can also be added to alcohol drinks for a fun tasting addition. Other than flavor, CBD is primarily added to these cocktails because of its health benefits, but are they actually present when mixed with alcohol?

What is CBD?

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant, and is the second most prevalent cannabinoid behind THC. Moreover, CBD has been shown to exhibit a number of therapeutic effects, making it a promising treatment option for many afflictions such as pain, anxiety, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and inflammation. 

CBD’s many benefits, along with its lack of psychotropic effects, have caused it to become increasingly popular among the general public, and has prompted researchers to learn more about the benefits this cannabinoid has to offer. 

What Are The Effects of Mixing CBD Oil and Alcohol?

As of right now, there has been limited research studying the synergistic effects of CBD and alcohol. It is clear that adding CBD to alcohol doesn’t reduce alcohol’s usual intoxication or impairment, but it is yet to be seen whether one accentuates or reduces the others’ effects. 

Since both alcohol and CBD are known to induce relaxation and reduce anxiety, it can be assumed that their effects are amplified when used in tandem. Anecdotally, people who have tried CBD-infused cocktails reported that they experienced a unique “buzz” that differs from usual alcohol consumption, so this amplifying effect could be true to an extent. 

Is it Safe To Mix CBD Oil and Alcohol?

Alcohol is known to cause physical and mental impairment, but it is currently unclear as to whether or not CBD hemp oil accentuates these effects enough to cause concern. Not enough up-to-date research has been conducted on how CBD and alcohol interact.

There are, however, no reported instances showing that mixing CBD oil and alcohol is unsafe, and you can’t really overdose on CBD, so drinking CBD-infused alcohol should have little to no adverse effects if done responsibly and in moderation.

Can CBD Oil Reduce The Negative Effects of Alcohol?

Chronic alcohol use and binge drinking can cause a number of negative effects on one’s health, both immediate and long-term. CBD may potentially reduce these negative effects, either by using it on its own or by mixing it with alcoholic drinks.

Studies in mice have suggested that CBD can treat liver diseases caused by alcohol, which has influenced researchers to push for human trials. In one study, CBD drastically reduced the amount of inflammation, oxidative stress, and fat accumulation in the liver. These benefits make hemp-derived CBD Oil a promising potential treatment for alcoholism, for which other effective solutions are rather limited. 

Furthermore, CBD and the endocannabinoid system could play an important role in the development of substance abuse disorders and alcohol tolerance. Studies have suggested that the endocannabinoid system is largely responsible for regulating the brain’s reward signaling processes. 

CBD is a non-rewarding substance, and has been shown to inhibit the brain’s reception of addictive substances. It is possible that this inhibiting function could occur before, during, or after alcohol consumption, so CBD use has the potential to drastically reduce the risk of alcohol dependence.

Can CBD Oil Help With Hangovers?

Lastly, using CBD or mixing CBD oil and alcohol may help reduce the unpleasant effects of a hangover. CBD has been shown to effectively relieve nausea and headaches, and using it while experiencing a hangover may provide some relief from alcohol’s negative effects. CBD will not completely eliminate a hangover as only time and rest can do that, but any help with reducing it would be a welcomed benefit.

In fact, the primary intention of many CBD-infused cocktails is to allow people to enjoy the euphoria and relaxation experienced from drinking, without the accompanying nausea, headache, and gastrointestinal distress typically associated with drinking alcohol.

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Key Takeaways

• CBD-infused cocktails have become a popular trend through the US.
• Some people what have tried CBD-infused cocktails have reported a unique “buzz”, different than typical alcohol consumption.
• There have been no reported instances showing that mixing CBD oil and alcohol is unsafe.
• CBD may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and fat accumulation in the liver due to prolonged alcohol consumption.
• CBD can potentially reduce the risk of alcohol dependence and substance abuse behaviors.
• Mixing CBD oil and alcohol may help reduce the symptoms from hangovers.