CBD and alcohol - should you take them together?

CBD has many beneficial effects, most often it is used to calm, reduce anxiety, relieve pain, and improve sleep. There is another substance that, among other things, is used for the same results - it is alcohol.

Humans have consumed alcohol for thousands of years, and much is known about its toxicity.  In contrast, CBD has become popular relatively recently, and science does not know everything about its effects.  However, there is no doubt that the toxicity of CBD is very low.

But what happens if you take CBD with alcohol?

    CBD (in low doses) does not prevent alcohol intoxication.

Back in 1979, scientists were interested in how CBD affects the action of alcohol. Study participants were given ≈20-30 mg of CBD (320 μg/kg of body weight), and after 60 minutes they took an alcoholic drink (0.54 g/kg, ≈ 2 glasses of dry wine).  Participants who consumed alcohol with CBD became as intoxicated, as those who consumed a placebo [1].  Note that this study used a very low dose of CBD.

    CBD can reduce blood alcohol content.

A small study in a group of volunteers showed that the consumption of CBD (200 mg capsule) together with alcohol (1 g/kg) resulted in lower blood alcohol content compared to consumption without CBD [2].  At the same time, the participants who used CBD+alcohol showed the same signs of intoxication as the control group [2].

    CBD can enhance alcohol sedation.

Depending on the amount, CBD can have a pronounced calming and sedative effect.  FDA warns: CBD, along with alcohol, increases the risk of sedation and drowsiness, which increases the likelihood of injury.  In addition to alcohol, CBD can enhance the effects of other sedatives, including anti-anxiety, panic, stress, and sleep disorders [3].

    Alcohol suppresses the activity of ECS, which can reduce the effect of CBD.

Some of the therapeutic effects of CBD are related to its ability to activate the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a body's regulatory system that is extremely important for health. Alcohol inhibits ECS activity and thus may reduce the therapeutic effect of cannabidiol [4].

    Common side effects.

CBD and alcohol have some side effects in common: both can cause drowsiness, diarrhea, and liver dysfunction.  Therefore, consuming alcohol together with CBD in large doses may increase the risk of side effects of these substances [5].

    Therapeutic effects of CBD in alcohol abuse.

Cannabinoids, and in particular CBD, can reduce the side effects of ethanol.  Particularly, cannabis use reduces the risk of alcohol-induced pancreatitis and gastritis [6].  Clinical studies demonstrate that CBD can:

    reduce alcohol addiction (reduce cravings);

      reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal;

    reduce systemic inflammation, liver and brain damage due to chronic alcohol use [7, 8].

Overall, research on the effects of taking CBD with alcohol is limited, so it's generally recommended not to take them together or mix CBD with small amounts of alcohol to minimize risks [9].

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/115....

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1....

3. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-kn....

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3....

5. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/cannabis/mixing-cb....

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3053...

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PM....

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC672....

9. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-an....