CBD-infused Drinks and Alcohol – Are they Safe to Mix?

August 20, 2024

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CBD-infused Drinks and Alcohol – Are they Safe to Mix?

This is a common question that many people ask – can we mix CBD drinks with alcohol? While the answer is still not proven, there are some studies and research that could serve as guidelines. Both alcohol and CBD have the capacity to make you high.

This capacity is not very profound in the case of CBD and all it does is to make you feel relaxed and stress-free. But, we all know how alcohol consumption affects our bodies. Cannabidiol is a compound that is found in the hemp plant. It has the potential to help with sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, and pain.

CBD can be obtained both from hemp and cannabis sativa plants. The one derived from cannabis sativa also has some amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC). This compound causes psychoactive effects that are not found in the CBD obtained from hemp.

Research related to mixing CBD-infused drinks and alcohol is sparse. Due to this, consumers have little to no knowledge about how both of these work on each other.

How does CBD and Alcohol Affect the Human Body

Both alcohol and CBD work differently. Though consuming either of them results in the same sleepiness and drowsiness effects – they are very different from each other.

When alcohol is consumed, it enters the bloodstream quickly with its effects surfacing within ten minutes. Alcohol disrupts how your brain functions like improper coordination and difficulty thinking clearly. It also adversely affects mood and behavior.

Based on how much the person has consumed alcohol, can also affect the person’s speech, judgment, and memory. Besides, it can also disturb the person’s balance, resulting in falls and potential injuries.

Different from alcohol, CBD does not have any intoxicating effects. It interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system and produces several effects. The ECS has a number of receptors throughout the body, especially the central nervous system. These effects include:

Feelings of calmness
Reduced anxiety
Improved sleep
Decreased chronic pain

Some less desirable effects include:

Fatigue
Drowsiness
Nausea
Sedation
Vomiting
Lightheadedness
Diarrhea

Mixing CBD Drinks and Alcohol – What are the Results

Honestly, we don’t know. There is very limited research available on the potential effects of mixing alcohol and CBD drinks. The effects of this interaction depend on several factors like the amount of each component and the amount of THC present in the CBD product.

Depending on the amount of THC, it may coincide with alcohol consumption. However, because there is limited research available on this topic, no one knows exactly how much does it effect.

According to Eloise Theisen, a nurse practitioner, “The 0.3% THC allowed in hemp-derived CBD products can go up to amounts in the final product that may cause an interaction. We see levels of 1 to 4 milligrams of THC in some concentrated hemp CBD products.”

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THC amounts are limited by the federal Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill of 2018). This amount is set at 0.3% by dry weight – this is to avoid classifying it as cannabis, which is a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The levels of CBD are listed on the CBD product’s certificate of analysis (COA). This is available on the manufacturer’s website.

Though CBD products are not regulated and governed by the FDA, people rely on the manufacturer’s claims and laboratory test results to know about the amount of THC in CBD products. Talking about approved drugs, only Epidiolex is approved by the FDA.

To be on the safe side, it is better to buy the CBD that has the lowest amount of THC. This helps to avoid alcohol and THC interactions. When choosing a CBD product, it’s better to check the label to see the amount and ratio of THC in the product.

According to Dr. Mendelson,” Dose will be the most important thing. If someone stays within the recommended alcohol consumption amounts of one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men and a small dose of CBD at the manufacturer’s recommended level, there should be no significant reactions one way or another.”

What are the Potential Dangers of Mixing Alcohol with CBD Drinks

Talking about the potential dangers of this mixture, Theisen states, “I strongly advise my patients against consuming alcohol and cannabis together, whether it’s CBD or THC since you can feel a stronger effect from both when using alcohol.”

The side effects depend on factors like the amount of alcohol, the dosage of CBD, and the amount of THC in the CBD product. Combining the two may result in drowsiness, confused coordination, and sometimes, vomiting.

Besides, mixing the two can also elevate the effects of alcohol and the person may feel more drunk and impaired. Theisen adds, “If someone took CBD in the morning to help with their anxiety and wanted to have a drink or two in the evening, that [combination] hasn’t been shown to be problematic. Taking them concurrently is where I get concerned because of potential side effects—whether from the alcohol or even the CBD.”

Is It Safe to Mix CBD Drinks and Alcohol

While there are no studies that suggest anything about it, it is a universal belief that moderation is the safest bet. Medical professionals suggest against it because there are high chance that the effect of drowsiness may become more pronounced. This may cause accidents and other hazards.

With this, it can be said that there is little research available regarding the topic. Some research has been conducted on rodents but they are still not enough to confirm anything.

Mixing CBD drinks with alcohol does not result in any potential dangers but they can amplify each other’s effects like drowsiness. This can be dangerous and may result in accidents. Our verdict – do not mix CBD and alcohol together to stay safe.

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