Cannabis Oil and Alcohol

Learn More About the Relationship Between Cannabis Oil and Alcohol!

In recent years, the global cannabis renaissance has changed the way many people perceive the plant and the false beliefs surrounding it. Nowadays, when we hear the word cannabis, we no longer immediately think of "drugs," but rather of the stories of those whose lives have been positively impacted by cannabis and the CBD Oil derived from it.

The latest research brings good news to those struggling with alcohol issues, or simply looking to ease the negative effects of a rough night.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

Cannabis oil, also known as CBD Oil, contains components that work together to help our bodies move toward or maintain a state of balance. The reason our bodies respond so well and in diverse ways to the various compounds in cannabis is largely due to the CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout the body. CBD and other beneficial cannabis compounds significantly influence the activity of these two receptors, which explains the wide range of effective uses for cannabis products.

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System and the CB1 Receptor

Significant research is underway to uncover how alcohol affects the endocannabinoid system and, in turn, how this system influences alcohol addiction.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system present in humans and many other living organisms that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily processes. This system consists of:

Endocannabinoids: Molecules naturally produced by the body that are similar to the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

Receptors: CB1 and CB2 receptors to which both endocannabinoids and plant cannabinoids bind.

Enzymes: Enzymes that synthesize or break down endocannabinoids.

The ECS plays a role in regulating several functions, including:

• Mood and stress regulation,
• Pain perception reduction,
• Sleep,
• Appetite,
• Immune response regulation.
  

This system helps maintain the body’s internal balance (homeostasis).

Researchers believe the CB1 receptor plays a key role. This receptor is highly concentrated in the brain and central nervous system, and it’s through this receptor that cannabis exerts its psychoactive effects. It’s no coincidence that research involving the CB1 receptor and related cannabinoids is increasingly important in treating addictions to alcohol, opiates, and tobacco. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait long before new, more effective medications for alcohol addiction become available—built upon cannabis research findings.

CBD Oil and Alcohol – Reflections from Scientific Research

Canadian researchers bring hopeful news to those wanting to treat their alcohol dependency with CBD. A group of scientists gathered and reviewed all existing studies focused on using CBD to address alcohol addiction.

Their analysis concluded that CBD has no negative interactions with alcohol and offers protection against numerous alcohol-specific problems, such as:

- seizures that occur during alcohol withdrawal

- protection against nerve cell degeneration, which leads to aggression and cognitive impairment

- reduction in the risk of acute liver damage and fatty liver disease

- and it also appears to reduce cravings after alcohol consumption.

The last point, the reduction of post-alcohol craving, has also been confirmed by a U.S. study.

Using Cannabis Oil May Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Cravings

Károly Hollis, lead author, and Kent Hutchinson, co-author, both affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder, have conducted numerous studies over the past five years aiming to explain the impact of cannabis on alcohol consumption.

To this end, Károly, Hutchinson, and two other colleagues from the University of Colorado conducted an observational study with 120 adults who used both cannabis and alcohol. Participants received three different products during the study: one primarily containing THC, one primarily containing CBD, and one cannabis oil containing THC and CBD in a 1:1 ratio.

When researchers compared alcohol consumption before and during the study, they found participants drank less alcohol throughout the day, and they had more alcohol-free days. The best results came from the mainly CBD product and the 1:1 THC to CBD oil.

These findings on cannabis’s effect on alcohol use align with another recent survey involving 600 participants by Károly, Hutchinson, and their team. These data were presented at the Alcoholism Research Society’s June 2021 meeting. There, researchers again confirmed that users of CBD-dominant and 1:1 CBD-THC products consumed less alcohol..

Cannabis Oil as a Harm Reduction Tool

A study published in the journal Addiction reached similar conclusions. An interesting insight from this research was the inverse relationship between cannabis use and alcohol consumption: on days when heavy drinkers reduced alcohol intake, cannabis use increased.

Although it may seem like switching one guilty pleasure for another, from a harm reduction perspective, this represents genuine progress, especially considering the well-established safety profile of cannabis. Consuming cannabis—especially in oil form, which avoids inhaling combustion byproducts—carries significantly fewer health risks than alcohol consumption.

Did you know? Doctors classify consuming 12 alcohol units per week as chronic drinking, which significantly harms the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. One unit of alcohol equals 1 glass of beer, 100 ml of wine, or 30 ml of distilled spirits.

Interestingly, these results are also reflected in a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics. According to available data from 2002 to 2018, cannabis use rose among young adults in the USA while problematic alcohol use declined, based on a survey of 183,000 Americans aged 18 to 22.

Which Cannabis Oil Is Best for Reducing Alcohol Harm?

There are two main types of cannabis oils: broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products. Both high-quality broad-spectrum and full-spectrum cannabis oils contain beneficial compounds besides CBD, such as CBDA, CBG, CBN, and valuable essential oils (terpenes). However, there is an important difference: full-spectrum cannabis products typically include less than 0.2% THC, while broad-spectrum oils do not contain this compound.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and binds to the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system.

This binding stimulates receptor activity, triggering numerous neurological and physiological effects, including in the brain’s addiction center (nucleus accumbens), which leads to increased dopamine release and feelings of euphoria and happiness. This helps explain the findings from earlier studies indicating that cannabis use can reduce alcohol consumption.

It seems that when we feel happier, we are less likely to reach for a drink.

If you’re struggling with alcohol issues or just want to ease the aftereffects of a night out, full-spectrum cannabis oil may be the right choice due to its THC content.

How Much Cannabis Oil Do I Need?

The required amount varies individually and depends on several factors: your personal sensitivity to the compounds in cannabis oil, your body weight, and your general health.

It’s generally recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase it. Our Dosage Guides can help you determine your initial and subsequent doses.

For serious alcohol addiction treatment or during withdrawal, it’s best to follow the MACRO dosage guidelines.

Sources:
1. https://content.apa.org/record/2021-28752-001
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acer.14617
3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.15407
4. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2771635

It’s important to mention that CBD Oil is not a miracle cure! The foundations of maintaining good health are regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a stress-free lifestyle. CBD does not replace any of these! CBD is classified as a “novel food” in Hungary and most EU countries because its widespread use before 1997 has not been proven. Therefore, no claims regarding disease prevention or treatment can be made about CBD-containing products.

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