CBD is gaining popularity due to its therapeutic benefits and many people are now mixing it with everything, including alcohol. But is it really a good idea to combine CBD with alcohol?

For those who are unaware, CBD is a compound found in cannabis or hemp plant that has calming benefits but is not psychoactive like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so it won't make you feel high. CBD is marketed as oil, capsules, gummies, vapes, and alcohol too.

However, CBD oil is everywhere and is one of the most demanding types of CBD. If you regularly use CBD oil, you might be wondering if it's okay to use it with alcohol. Although it seems safe, the answer is more complicated than it might look.

Even if you don’t combine CBD oil with alcoholic beverages, CBD and alcohol can still interact with each other if taken within four to eight hours of each other. This means that if you have a drink with dinner, you can take CBD oil before bed. In this way, CBD could have a stronger effect than it would without alcohol.

Read on to find out if it is safe to consume CBD oil with an alcoholic beverage and how long after taking CBD oil can you drink alcohol?

Key Takeaways

• CBD Oil seems to have no significant interactions with alcohol.
• The majority of research has found little (or no) difference between groups of people who drink alcohol with or without CBD oil.
• In some cases, the combination (alcohol with CBD) can have negative side effects such as excessive sleepiness or low blood pressure, and dizziness or fainting.

Mixing Alcohol and CBD Oil

To understand the effects of CBD and alcohol, we must first examine these substances separately.

Alcohol is a powerful depressant as it influences mood, coordination, and speech by interacting with the central nervous system. The more alcohol you take, the stronger the effects become.

On the other hand, CBD has a much more subtle effect on the body and brain by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining the balance and control of various biological systems.

Since both alcohol and CBD relax you and lower your anxiety, the combined effects of both can be strong and long-lasting. You will feel very relaxed, happy, and gentle after taking CBD oil, and alcohol will enhance those effects.

It is believed that combining CBD oil and alcohol can enhance the effects of alcohol. However, it is unknown how the two substances interact.

Some people get sedated after taking CBD oil with alcohol. For this reason, we don't recommend you mix CBD oil with alcohol.

Can CBD Protect Against the Side effects of Alcohol?

According to studies, CBD can protect against some of the negative effects of alcohol. If you consume too much alcohol it can cause cell damage which leads to the risk of inflammation and chronic diseases such as liver disease or pancreatitis.

However, studies on animals have shown that CBD can protect the body from cell damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption. CBD has the potential to fight against fatty liver disease (caused by alcohol consumption). CBD also promotes cell renewal and tissue regeneration (autophagy).

Moreover, if the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream is high, it can lead to the loss of motor control and cognitive function. CBD has the ability to significantly lower blood alcohol levels.

Many people use CBD to reduce the negative effects of alcohol or to relieve headaches and nausea.

The following are the effects of combining CBD and alcohol:

You might feel tired or sleepy.

A sudden drop in blood pressure (dizziness or vertigo).

Some of the negative effects of alcohol can be reduced by CBD (nausea and cell damage).

Can I Drink Alcohol and Use CBD Oil at the Same Time?

Currently, there are not enough studies to accurately determine the effects of combining alcohol and CBD. Some studies on animals have shown that CBD can reduce some of the negative effects of alcohol.

The effects of CBD vary and are not the same for everyone, so it is really difficult to determine if this combination affects everyone equally. If you decide to drink alcohol and CBD oil at the same time, make sure to take low doses of both substances to avoid any negative side effects.

How Long After Taking CBD Oil Can I Drink Alcohol?

In short, combining these two substances isn’t a good idea.

You can take CBD to relieve symptoms and then go out for a few drinks separately. Some people actually mix CBD with alcohol to counteract some of the undesirable side effects of the drink, such as nausea or headaches.

Mixing alcohol and CBD oil can cause drowsiness and low blood pressure.

However, there is no scientific statement on how long you should wait to drink alcohol after taking CBD. According to many CBD consumers, you should not consume alcohol for at least four hours after taking CBD oil. This gives your body time to process and absorb the contents of CBD which allows the human body to metabolize the CBD oil and avoid any potential interactions between these two substances.

CBD and Alcohol Benefits

According to some studies, CBD may lower blood alcohol levels while drinking. Mixing CBD oil with alcohol also has some benefits, such as relieving alcohol-induced nausea or headaches.

CBD and Nausea

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC that provide the highest level of benefits against alcohol-induced nausea.

CBD and Headaches

Headaches are a common side effect of alcoholic beverages, CBD oil could ease alcohol-related headaches including migraines, cluster headaches, intracranial hypertension, and nerve headaches.

CBD and Blood Alcohol Levels

Increased blood alcohol levels are associated with increased intoxication, loss of motor control, and impaired cognitive function. CBD may lower blood alcohol levels by promoting faster alcohol metabolism in the liver.

However, more research is needed to determine how CBD affects blood alcohol levels. We still do not recommend mixing these two products due to the potential negative side effects mentioned above.

Can I Drink Wine While Taking CBD Oil?

It's best to avoid the combination when possible. CBD oil and wine may amplify each other's effects, and taking both together in high doses may cause sleepiness and sedation.

The side effects of combining wine with CBD oil depend on several factors such as the amount of alcohol, the CBD dose, and the amount of THC present in the CBD product. If you drink wine while taking CBD oil, it’s recommended to take low dosages as both cause drowsiness and liver damage at high doses.

How Long After Taking CBD Oil Do You Feel It?

The sublingual type of CBD allows you to hold the CBD oil under your tongue for 30 seconds which could take from 15 to 30 minutes to take effect. Other factors such as CBD oil dosage, tincture type (full-spectrum or broad-spectrum), consistency, and quality can also play a role in how quickly you begin to feel the benefits of CBD.

Keep in mind that the effects of CBD oil can vary depending on the intensity of your symptoms, your metabolism, your CBD tolerance level, and a variety of other factors.

FAQs

Can You Drink Water After Taking CBD Oil?

It is completely safe to drink water right after vaping CBD, consuming it orally, or applying it topically.

Moreover, when you are taking CBD tincture, it’s advisable to wait for a sufficient period of time (usually 15 minutes) after consuming CBD oil.

Does CBD Feel Like Alcohol?

CBD does not have the same effect as alcohol.

CBD and alcohol are two different substances. CBD has a less dramatic effect than alcohol. Moreover, CBD is not intoxicating, so it will not produce the same effects as alcohol.

Bottom Line

Recently, the demand for CBD oil has increased a lot in the alcohol industry.

CBD is now available in sprays, tinctures, and capsules. Other forms of CBD include CBD-infused beers, shots, and beverages.

CBD and alcohol can enhance each other, but high doses of both substances can cause headaches and sedation due to increased blood alcohol levels. According to numerous studies, CBD consumption protects against alcohol-induced illnesses and lowers blood alcohol levels.

The effects of mixing CBD oil and alcohol may last longer and be more powerful. CBD makes you feel happier and more relaxed, and when you combine CBD oil with alcohol this combination will make these feelings more intense.

But in some cases, people become very sedate. For this reason, it is strongly recommended not to mix alcohol and CBD.

Finally, there is no scientific statement on how long you should wait to drink alcohol after taking CBD. Many CBD users recommend you should not consume alcohol for at least four hours after taking CBD oil. This means that if you drink alcohol with your meal, you can take CBD oil before bed.