CBD is everywhere these days. It’s in bath bombs and lotions, oils and tinctures, edibles CBD, and even being made into mixers and drinks. If CBD is marketed as a margarita mixer, is it safe to mix it into your tequila?
Should you eat an edible gummy with your glass of wine? Since not much research has been done on the topic, it’s challenging to find a straight answer. Here’s the information you need to make an informed decision.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in hemp. Sometimes edibles CBD, tinctures, and drinks get a bad rep because people associate them with marijuana. Now that many states have moved forward in legalizing cannabis, more people are being introduced to CBD.
Hemp-derived CBD products contain less than .3% TCH, meaning they will not have the psychoactive effect. You won’t get high from edibles CBD, which are legal on a federal level.
Some of the health benefits of CBD include:
CBD works by bringing the body back into balance by working with your body’s endocannabinoid system. They bind to your central and peripheral nervous system receptors to reduce inflammation, help you fall asleep, or increase your appetite.
You cannot overdose on CBD, so you don’t have to worry that mixing edibles CBD and a glass of wine will send you over the edge. In fact, most doses of CBD are much lower than what is used in clinical trials. No need to call poison control. However, the adverse effects alcohol has on your body may negate the positive health benefits of CBD.
Alcohol and the Human Body
Sure, a glass of wine after a long day can help you relax. But in excess, alcohol has an extremely toxic effect on the human body. Alcohol lowers inhibitions. One drink quickly turns into another, and soon you’ve had more than you can remember.
Even though drinking alcohol feels good, the ethanol works against your body. Unlike CBD, regular binge drinking, consuming over five drinks in one sitting, can cause a host of ailments, including:
- Alcohol dependence
- Liver failure
- Cancer
- Diabetes
Also, consider unintentional injury or death from drunk driving accidents. Heavy drinking isn’t safe, whether you are taking CBD or not.
What Happens if You Mix Alcohol and CBD?
Both alcohol and CBD provide a relaxing effect. Since alcohol cancels out the positive results CBD has on your body, if taken together, it may cause further drowsiness than when taken alone. It may not be worth eating edibles CBD before a night on the town.
One study performed on rats concludes that rats who were dependent on cocaine and alcohol were less likely to use substances when administered CBD. Another found that rats who regularly ingested CBD had less brain damage from alcohol than those who did not ingest CBD. Human studies would be necessary to determine the truth of these claims.
Since most edibles CBD doses are so low, you would most likely feel the effects of the alcohol before noticing the result of the CBD. Maybe like the rats, you’d be tempted to drink less. Perhaps you wouldn’t see any difference at all.
Can CBD Help with Hangovers?
Edibles CBD can help relieve inflammation and anxiety symptoms, so a gummy the morning after a night out may help ease hangover symptoms. Drinking causes an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system that CBD can help equalize. CBD could ease hangover symptoms by:
- Reduce inflammation from dehydration
- Quell feelings of nausea
- Relieve headache symptoms
- Lower blood pressure
- Calm anxiety
Rather than having edibles CBD before a night on the town, try having them the morning after.
If you plan on trying one of the CBD-infused beers that have recently jumped on the market, chances are the levels of alcohol and CBD are low enough not to cause any detrimental side effects. However, drinking to excess while taking CBD could have unknown consequences since there isn’t enough research on the subject.
Try a Mocktail
Instead of using alcohol to relax after a long day, try edibles CBD or make a mocktail with a CBD-infused mixer. You’ll avoid the negative side effects ethanol can have on the body and indulge in a treat that can aid your health.
Use a CBD tincture to make an infused simple syrup you can use to mix up delicious mocktails. Add CBD to equal parts hot water and sugar and let simmer until the sugar dissolves. Since CBD has an herb flavor like hemp, you could add other aromatics to enhance the earthy flavor.
- Lavender – use to make CBD-infused lavender lemonade
- Rosemary – drink with a splash of juice and soda water for a refreshing treat
- Orange Rind, Clove, and Allspice – use to make a CBD virgin Old Fashioned
