Cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be showing up in the most unexpected products from bath bombs and beauty products to protein bars and sodas—and now recently in some alcoholic beverages. Both CBD and a glass of wine are commonly used to take the edge off, but what happens when you mix CBD oil and alcohol together?
Whether you’re looking to make your own CBD oil and alcohol concoction or are curious about having a drink after taking CBD oil, or vice versa, we’re here to provide simple guidance and information on how CBD oil and alcohol may interact and address any safety concerns.
How CBD Oil and Alcohol Interact With Your Body
To understand how CBD oil and alcohol may interact within your body, it’s important to understand how the two affect your body on their own. While CBD is well known for its potential to reduce everyday aches and pains and mild anxiety and promote restful sleep, alcohol is known for its ability to reduce inhibitions and promote feelings of relaxation.
Effects and Interaction of CBD Oil
The potential benefits of CBD oil are believed to be related to the interaction between CBD and the human body’s endocannabinoid systems, which are composed of receptors that play an important role in the regulation of processes and functions, including sleep, pain, mood, inflammation response, and memory.
How long CBD takes to kick in and how long the effects will last depends on how much you take, how you take it, and your body’s unique chemistry. CBD can start to take effect 10 to 40 minutes after consumption, and the effects of CBD can last anywhere from two to six hours.
Effects and Interaction of Alcohol
On the other hand, the effects of alcohol are primarily due to the interaction between alcohol and your central nervous system—more specifically, your brain. Alcohol has a direct effect on the structures within the brain. Alcohol blocks chemical signals between neurons, or brain cells. This is what causes feelings of intoxication and changes in impulse control, memory, and reflexes.
Similar to CBD, the time to feel effects and the duration of effects depends on several things, like your unique body chemistry and your weight in addition to how much you consume. The effects of alcohol are usually felt within five to ten minutes and the effects can last quite a while depending on how much you drink. As a rule of thumb, alcohol stays in your system for approximately one hour per standard drink consumed.
What Happens When You Mix CBD Oil and Alcohol?
Some people believe that when CBD oil and alcohol are taken together, they may amplify each other’s effects. Because both CBD oil and alcohol can help you relax, it is possible that combining the two could produce stronger and/or longer-lasting effects.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of research available yet to understand whether or not it is safe to take CBD oil and alcohol at the same time. With that being said, we recommend erring on the side of caution and following these general guidelines.
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If you are going to take CBD oil and alcohol together, talk with your healthcare provider first, and if they don’t have concerns, take them both in small amounts to understand how it impacts your body and how you feel.
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Be mindful of how long the effects of CBD and alcohol individually last in your body. For example, if you have a couple of drinks at dinner then take CBD oil before bed a couple of hours later, you may experience different effects than if you had only had either CBD oil or alcohol alone.
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Manage your expectations by keeping in mind that CBD oil and alcohol impact everyone differently.
Navigating the World of CBD With Feals
Whether you’re new to CBD oil or are an experienced user, the world of CBD can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. If you’re still curious about using CBD oil and alcohol together, or have any other CBD- and wellness-related questions, our CX team would love to help you along your journey. In addition to offering top-notch CBD oils and mints, we’re also dedicated to helping you discover your best self, whatever that may look like for you.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
