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CBD, alcohol, and medications: Mechanisms of action and dangers
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7 min
If you follow our items, you know that we often reiterate that, according to leading health organizations in France and worldwide, CBD consumption poses no particular danger. Nevertheless, it is an active substance. As such, CBD is capable of acting on a wide range of biological mechanisms, producing the well-known effects.
But although these effects are not dangerous to health, they can become so if CBD is consumed at the same time as other active compounds such as alcohol and certain medications.
In this article, we will look at this question: what actually happens in the body when CBD is consumed with alcohol or certain medications?
A reminder about CBD: mechanisms of action and effects
CBD is one of the major cannabinoids synthesized by hemp and cannabis plants. When consumed, it has numerous effects on several biological systems. And while we don't yet know all of these effects in detail, we do know that CBD has the following effects, among others:
Modulating liver enzyme activity: Liver enzymes are proteins found in liver molecules. They are what give the liver the ability to help the body remove certain substances, such as CBD, from the blood.
Their role is to facilitate certain chemical reactions that aim to deactivate foreign active molecules present in the blood. Once deactivated, these molecules can be eliminated via bile or urine, for example.
Acting on serotonergic (5-HT) receptors : These receptors are present in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They are primarily activated by serotonin, often called the "happiness hormone." Like the endocannabinoid system, serotonergic receptors are involved in regulating numerous cognitive and physiological processes: anxiety management, appetite, learning and memory abilities, etc.
Interacting with GABA receptors: These are proteins found on the surfaces of neurons; they are the main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. They can slow down the flow of electrical transmission in the brain, thereby reducing excessive neuronal activity in cases where this overactivity could lead to anxiety, insomnia, or even seizures.
From what we know today, it is partly these interactions that make CBD, whether in flower or resin form, capable of effects such as increased appetite, a feeling of relaxation and calmness, better management of pain and anxiety… But CBD is not the only one to influence, target or use some of these mechanisms and it is when it is associated with other active substances with similar mechanisms of action that undesirable or unexpected effects can occur.
CBD and alcohol: a risky combination
CBD and alcohol are diametrically opposed in many ways. CBD does not cause habituation or dependence, nor does it impair consciousness or lower inhibitions. Nevertheless, they do share one common characteristic: both act on GABA receptors, liver enzymes, and serotonergic receptors.
If you're interested, we have recipes for CBD cocktails that are alcohol-free!
The influence on liver enzymes
Alcohol and CBD, when present in the bloodstream, are processed by liver enzymes, which aim to deactivate them, making them eliminateable by the body. However, the problem is that consuming both simultaneously puts extra strain on these enzymes, reducing their effectiveness at removing alcohol from the blood, thus intensifying and prolonging the effects of intoxication.
The influence on serotonergic receptors
Alcohol also acts on serotonergic receptors; it is partly this interaction that produces the feelings of well-being and disinhibition associated with alcohol consumption.
But when the two molecules are consumed together, the cumulative effect of their effects amplifies the feeling of well-being and disinhibition. This may not seem dangerous in itself, but it can lead to riskier behavior and increase the risk of excessive alcohol consumption, and therefore the risk of acute intoxication.
The influence on GABA receptors
Since both molecules activate these receptors, consuming both substances simultaneously can cause overstimulation, which can be problematic, leading to excessive drowsiness or even dangerous conditions in some cases. Furthermore, CBD consumption slows the activity of neurotransmitters that interact with GABA receptors, potentially amplifying the effects of alcohol and making it more potent at equal doses.
CBD increases the harmful effects of alcohol
Ultimately, combining CBD and alcohol is not a risk-free mix. This isn't so much because they produce a harmful effect on the body or mind, but because CBD amplifies the effects of alcohol and the dangers associated with alcohol consumption.
If you have consumed CBD and are about to go out for a drink or share a meal with friends, we strongly advise you to monitor your alcohol consumption!
CBD and medications: a risk of interaction with several treatments
When combined with certain medications, CBD can produce adverse effects due to similar, synergistic, or even opposing mechanisms of action. Among the most sensitive treatments are:
- Anticoagulant treatments, sedatives and tranquilizers due to an increase in effects.
- Cancer treatments and beta blockers, whose interaction remains poorly understood.
- Antidepressant and antipsychotic treatments, because they can cause an increase in side effects.
According to an authoritative study on the subject, conducted in 2021 at Penn State College of Medicine, more than 57 medications may interact adversely with CBD.
The influence on GABA receptors
Like alcohol, many medications such as sedatives, tranquilizers, and benzodiazepines also act on GABA receptors. When combined with CBD, these treatments can cause overstimulation, resulting in excessive drowsiness, confusion, and even respiratory problems in some extreme cases.
The influence on liver enzymes
Since these enzymes are meant to cleanse the blood and remove drug molecules, medications are formulated with this factor in mind.
When CBD is consumed simultaneously, enzymes become overwhelmed and are no longer able to eliminate drug molecules as quickly as they should. This can amplify their effectiveness, but also their side effects. This can be problematic in the case of an anticoagulant, for example, as it could increase the risk of bleeding by amplifying its effects.
The influence on serotonergic receptors
Serotonergic receptors are involved in regulating mood and anxiety, and are therefore targeted by antidepressant and anxiolytic medications. When consumed with CBD, these receptors are overstimulated over a longer period than with alcohol, which can lead to an imbalance in neural processes and reduce the short- and medium-term effectiveness of medications.
In the most serious, but fortunately rare, cases, the interaction can lead to numerous adverse effects such as hypertension, tremors, confusion, disorientation, drowsiness and a whole host of other effects.
Ultimately, CBD may interfere with these drug treatments
Intensive drug treatments like those we have discussed do not allow for error. They are precisely dosed and calibrated so that their effect is exactly what is expected; in other words, they have a narrow therapeutic range.
Even the slightest chemical imbalance in the body can lead to a completely different effect. Therefore, if you are undergoing intensive treatment of this type, it is very important to consult your doctor before using CBD.
Our conclusion on the dangers of consuming CBD with alcohol and medications.
While CBD consumption is not dangerous, it is not without effects. This is why so many people consume CBD flowers, resins, and other CBD products. It can help you relax and achieve a sense of well-being.
However, caution is advised when consuming CBD with other active substances such as alcohol and medications. Due to similar mechanisms of action, they can produce effects that are stronger or different than expected and could, in some cases, prove dangerous.
Fortunately, these cases are quite rare overall, and we trust you to adopt a responsible consumption of CBD, so you can enjoy its effects for a long time to come!
We hope you learned something new from this article, and thank you for reading to the end! Don't forget to check out our blog for batchs moreinteresting information about CBD !
