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Most users describe CBD as relaxing, and for some people, so is beer. It’s natural, therefore, to consider combining the two — is it safe to drink beer and take CBD at the same time, though?
In this guide, learn more about what CBD gummies are and the potential interactions they might have with alcohol. By the end, you’ll know for sure whether it’s safe to take CBD gummies and drink beer.
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that naturally occurs in Cannabis sativa in reasonably high quantities. Over the last decade or so, industry professionals have selectively bred hemp to produce higher concentrations of CBD while reducing THC levels.
The result is a thriving CBD industry featuring products that don’t get you high and that you can buy online. CBD is relaxing enough that it might put you to sleep, but unlike its cousin THC, it won’t ever get you high.
CBD gummies take all the benefits of CBD and package them into delicious, bite-sized pieces of fruity goodness. Some CBD gummies contain low-quality ingredients, to be sure, but most producers focus on crafting gummies that contain potent extract and additional ingredients that are organic or all-natural.
Despite their impressive benefits, new users often find it challenging to select their first CBD products. For assistance picking out the ideal CBD gummies for your night out, check out Observer’s 2022 review of the best-rated CBD gummies available online.
Yes, the CBD in CBD gummies does have the potential to interact with alcohol, but not necessarily in a negative or dangerous way. While it’s true that both CBD and alcohol are dependent on the same liver enzymes for digestion, it doesn’t appear that these two substances can amplify each other’s effects to a dangerous degree.
The interaction between CBD and alcohol occurs as the two compounds are processed through your digestive tract. They both attempt to bond with CYP enzymes produced by your liver, but with both CBD and alcohol competing for bonds, some molecules will be left behind to enhance your feeling of intoxication.
The short answer is that there does not appear to be any considerable reason to avoid using CBD in any form — CBD gummies included — prior to or while using alcohol. These two substances do interact inside the human body, but this interaction usually shouldn’t be dangerous.
Each individual substance’s unique properties should be considered, though. CBD, on its own, only rarely has considerable side effects at any dose. Alcohol, on the other hand, has dose-specific side effects that worsen considerably the more that you take.
By competing for the same metabolic enzymes, CBD and alcohol might amplify each other’s effects. In the case of alcohol, this amplification might not be what you’re looking for. It’s surprisingly easy to cross the threshold between pleasantly intoxicated and disastrously drunk, and using CBD at the same time as alcohol could potentially accidentally push you over that line.
If you’ve developed a healthy degree of caution regarding alcohol, that’s simply because you’re wise. Alcohol poisoning is the cause of endless avoidable emergency room visits, and it should never be forgotten that this simple compound is inherently a toxin that you should always use in moderation.
From there, if you’ve also developed a degree of caution regarding using alcohol and CBD at the same time, you’ve attained an even greater level of wisdom. Say what you want about the benefits of CBD (they’re all real), but CBD can’t magically make alcohol non-toxic. What it does, in fact, is magnify alcohol’s ability to harm — even if only very slightly.
If you want to experiment with the potential synergy between alcohol and CBD, simply do so with caution. Out of all the CBD products you can combine with alcohol, CBD gummies might be the best option. Aside from being convenient, it’s also simple to control your dose with CBD gummies, making it easier to avoid amplifying the effects of alcohol too much.
In summary, don’t be afraid to bring your CBD gummies with you the next time you go to a party or the bar. Just make sure everyone you share with is aware of the risks ahead of time, and you’ll be good to go.