Can CBD Help with Alcohol Dependency? 2024

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a condition in which a person feels compelled to use alcohol despite the fact that doing so negatively impacts their lives. According to research, cannabidiol (CBD) may help reduce alcohol use and alcohol-related liver damage.

Alcohol and CBD
Alcoholism can lead to liver damage, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also cause emotional, interpersonal, and financial problems. Despite this, only approximately 7.2% of AUD patients obtain treatment each year.
 
Using CBD for AUD intervention appears promising, despite the fact that research is still in its early phases.
 
This article defines CBD and examines how it may aid in the reduction of alcohol use and AUD-related symptoms.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of several active compounds found in cannabis. It is not the same as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which induces euphoria or a “high.” CBD users are unlikely to experience a high.

According to research, CBD may offer the following benefits:

  • Offering antioxidant properties
  • Immune system control
  • Lowering stress
  • Avoiding seizures
  • Inflammation reduction
Cannabis vs Alcohol horizontal business infographic illustration about cannabis as herbal alternative medicine and chemical therapy, healthcare and medical science vector.

The effects of CBD and alcohol on your endocannabinoid system

Every human being has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Experts think that the ECS helps to keep the body in equilibrium. But they still don’t comprehend how it works or all of its features.
 
Endocannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes are all part of the ECS. Endocannabinoids (naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body) can generate effects such as pain alleviation when they connect to receptors in the body. Enzymes degrade endocannabinoids when they have completed their function.
 
Researchers discovered that both short-term and long-term alcohol usage changes the quantity of endocannabinoids in rats’ brains in a 2007 animal study. Changes occurred in brain regions involved with emotion as well as other areas associated with alcohol use disorder.
 
Another 2005 study shows that the ECS, especially CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, may have a role in alcohol consumption disorder. The study’s authors stated that greater research into this relationship might aid professionals in developing remedies for the illness.
 
Chronic alcohol use and withdrawal may potentially influence endocannabinoid levels in the body, according to rat research from 2021.
 
THC and CBD both have effects on the ECS. THC, for example, has the ability to connect to CB1 and CB2 receptors.
 
Some researchers believe CBD interacts with the ECS by inhibiting the breakdown of endocannabinoids, therefore increasing their concentration in the body. However, this is still only a theory. We don’t know much about how CBD works within the ECS.
Can CBD Help Reduce Alcohol Consumption?

Can CBD help you cut back on your alcohol consumption?

Researchers are presently investigating the potential therapeutic effects of CBD for patients suffering from alcoholism.
 
According to a 2015 assessment of human and animal research, CBD may aid in the treatment of cocaine, opiate, stimulant, cigarette, and cannabis addiction.
 
However, the analysis concluded that ingesting CBD and alcohol combined did not make individuals feel less drunk in a research. Other features of alcohol consumption disorder were not investigated by the reviewers.
 
A 2018 study found that CBD helped reduce impulsive behaviour in mice with alcohol or cocaine addiction. The benefits of CBD remained up to 5 months after the last dose.
 
According to a 2019 assessment of human and animal research, CBD may assist persons with alcohol use disorder reduce their alcohol use. According to the review, CBD may have neuroprotective properties against alcohol-related brain damage.
 
A 2018 mouse research investigated examined modest dosages of CBD coupled with naltrexone, an FDA-approved medicine for treating alcoholism. CBD and naltrexone combination were more helpful than either one alone at lowering alcohol intake. However, clinical trials are required to further understand CBD’s involvement in alcohol consumption disorder.
 
A 2021 research of 120 cannabis and alcohol users discovered that individuals who took CBD for 5 days had fewer drinking days and consumed less alcohol when they did drink. This shows that using CBD may help reduce alcohol intake.
 
It’s crucial to remember that much of the CBD research for alcohol consumption disorder has been conducted on animals rather than people. Animal studies aren’t always a reliable predictor of how CBD will perform in people.
 
Clinical studies will eventually give researchers a better knowledge of how CBD might aid in the treatment of alcoholism.

Can CBD assist with liver damage caused by alcohol?

Animal studies suggest that CBD may aid with alcohol-related liver damage by lowering inflammation and delaying the formation of fatty liver.
 
Another study discovered that giving CBD to mice benefited by:
 
  • Repairing liver damage caused by heavy drinking
  • Reducing inflammatory reactions
  • Minimising the accumulation of fat in the liver
Can CBD Help Reduce Alcohol Consumption?

Combining CBD and Alcohol

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), combining alcohol and CBD might amplify the effects of both drugs dramatically.

Using the two together may result in:
 
  • Feeling tired or sleepy
  • Having trouble coordinating their body and senses
  • Losing track of time
People should never consume alcohol, use CBD, or both before engaging in activities that demand focus and attention and have the potential to cause injury, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

Is CBD addictive?

According to current studies, the World Health Organization (WHO) believes CBD has no potential for misuse or dependency.
 
In fact, animal studies show that CBD may be useful in treating certain forms of addiction.
 
According to one 2019 evaluation, CBD is well tolerated and has a “lack of abuse liability,” which means it is unlikely that people would get addicted to it.
 
More study is needed, however, to fully understand the function of CBD in the treatment of SUDs.
 
It’s also worth noting that THC has the potential for dependency and addiction. A 2011 research found that there is a 10% possibility of developing dependency while consuming cannabis.

When should you consult your doctor about alcohol use?

If you answer “yes” to at least two of the following questions, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests speaking with your doctor about alcohol use disorder.
 
Have you done any of the following in the last year:
 
  • Have you ever drunk for longer or more than you intended?
  • You wanted to quit or reduce your drinking but couldn’t?
  • Have you ever had an overwhelming desire to drink?
  • Have you spent a significant amount of time drinking or becoming unwell after drinking?
  • Have you noticed that drinking is interfering with your relationships, career, or education?
  • You gave up activities you used to like doing so you could drink?
  • Have you ever engaged in unsafe activity during or after drinking?
  • Continued to drink despite the fact that it made you feel horrible, either physically or mentally?
  • Have you noticed that you need to drink more to have the same results?
  • Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms like shakiness, nausea, restlessness, or sweating?

All CBD products offered on BritishCBD have been third-party tested to ensure that we are only promoting the highest-quality CBD. If you would like to view lab reports for any item, please send us an email using our contact form.

If you’ve never used CBD before or have any questions, we recommend reading two of our best blogs “What to Expect During the First Month of Taking CBD” and “23 Proven CBD Oil Benefits

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Consult with a Doctor

If you want to use CBD oil to help manage your alcoholism, you should first consult with a doctor.
 
Your doctor can advise you on the best method to take CBD and whether it may interfere with any other drugs you’re taking.
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