CBD has been invading every corner of the medical and cosmetic industries these last few years, so it only makes sense that the next step would be to conquer the alcohol industry. Concerns regarding mixing CBD with alcohol have been around for a while. People still find themselves anchored to the fact that CBD is a cannabinoid and has a not-too-distant cousin (THC) that is known for having a fairly significant impact when mixed with alcohol (often not positive, like the green out). Naturally as people research about ways to relax, both alcohol and CBD are very prevalent and we started getting a lot of questions about their interaction. Below we share some early data and opinions, along with a few observations we have been able to make over the last couple of years.

Mixing CBD and alcohol

There remains limited formal studies on the topic of CBD in general, mainly due to years of it being classified as an illegal substance. And there is even less research on the specific link between CBD and alcohol. However, early indications are that the two do not interact in a way that would be detrimental to our health.

Both promote relaxation and encourage your body to unwind, and combining them may amplify this effect allowing you to feel more relaxed and serene (we could all use a little bit of serenity at this point, right!?!?!). Sedation could be a possible side effect, but this is more a function of alcohol, which often crosses the threshold of stimulant to sedative when consumed in too large of quantities. CBD impacts sleep by making you more relaxed and clearing your mind of anxious thoughts - this is unlikely to cause a sedative impact when combined with alcohol. But just to be safe, when it comes to CBD we always advise starting low and increasing your dose slowly over time.

At much higher doses (especially alcohol), the combination could cause potential motor and cognitive impairment. You might find yourself losing track of time as alcohol lowers your inhibitions, while CBD helps you relax. Since both of them could potentially amplify each other’s effects, you should be careful when taking them together in large quantities. Like most things in life, moderation is key.

When it comes to low doses, there are no real reports out there of any major negative side effects. In fact, some studies actually suggest that CBD could help combat the negative side effects of alcohol by lowering the alcohol levels in your blood vessels. There have been studies in animals which show that CBD may help prevent alcohol induced damage to cells, too. Another benefit is that CBD might be helpful in preventing or lowering alcohol addiction.

In short, while research remains limited, if you do decide to mix CBD and alcohol, it's best to stick to low amounts of both, keep track of how you are feeling and adjust accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will CBD and alcohol modify each other’s effects?

Yes, when taken in a short time frame, about four to eight hours, or in very high quantities both CBD oil and alcohol do tend to intermingle and give stronger effects than they would individually. We recommend taking a lower dosage of CBD if you plan on drinking alcohol in the hours afterwards, especially if you plan on drinking to get drunk.

Is CBD addictive or is it safe for recovering alcoholics?

CBD has been proven to not be addictive and has shown promising signs for helping those trapped in their own addiction. It is definitely safe and will not trigger any addictive tendencies, but the proof of actively negating addiction remains under scrutiny and more research is needed to draw formal conclusions.

Like most other topics we explore around CBD, there remains limited research around CBD and alcohol. But as we talked about, moderation is the key! It’s always best to stay on the safe side and take them together only in low doses. Obviously, if you’re taking CBD for medical reasons, make sure to talk to your doctor before combining CBD oil and alcohol. Let us know in the comments if you have tried mixing the two together and what impacts, if any, you have felt. We will look to update this article as ongoing research concludes. And as always, dont hesitate to send us an email at info@yesterdaywellness.com if you have any additional questions. 

TL;DR: Research on CBD and alcohol is currently limited, but it suggests that taking them together amplifies their respective effects. We therefore recommend opting for lower doses than you usually would if you pair them together. It seems that CBD could help alleviate the negative effects of alcohol, including addiction, which certainly has us excited, but studies are still in progress, so for now and as usual, moderation is key!

Yesterday offers a full-line of hemp derived CBD oil, containing broad-spectrum hemp extract and zero THC. Feel free to check out our full selection of oils and softgels to help bring a sense of calm to your daily life. To learn more about the CBD basics, we recommend reading more from our CBD 101 articles, available here.