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If you've been following our articles, you'll know that we repeat quite often that, according to the leading health organizations in France and around the world, CBD consumption presents no particular danger. Nevertheless, it is an active substance. As such, CBD is capable of acting on a very large number of biological mechanisms, causing the effects we know so well.
But while these effects are not hazardous to health, they can become so if CBD is consumed alongside other active compounds such as alcohol and certain medications.
In this article, we'll look at this question: what actually happens in the body when CBD is consumed with alcohol or certain medications?
CBD is one of the major cannabinoids synthesized by hemp and cannabis plants. When consumed, it has numerous repercussions on several biological systems. Although we still don't know all these effects in detail, we do know that CBD has the following effects in particular:
Modulating liver enzyme activity: Liver enzymes are proteins found in liver molecules. They enable the liver to help the body rid the bloodstream of certain substances such as CBD.
Their role is to facilitate certain chemical reactions designed to deactivate foreign active molecules present in the blood. Once deactivated, these molecules can be evacuated via bile or urine, for example.
Act on serotonin (5-HT) receptors: These receptors are present in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They are activated primarily by serotonin, often referred to as the "happy hormone". Like the endocannabinoid system, serotonin receptors are involved in the regulation of numerous cognitive and physiological processes, including anxiety management, appetite, learning and memory.
Interacting with GABA receptors: these are proteins found on the surfaces of neurons, and are the main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. They can slow the flow of electrical transmission in the brain, thereby reducing excess neuronal activity in cases where this overactivity could lead to anxiety, insomnia or even convulsions.
As far as we know today, it's partly these interactions that make CBD, whether in flower or resin form, capable of effects such as increased appetite, a feeling of relaxation and release, better pain and anxiety management... But CBD is not alone in influencing, targeting or utilizing some of these mechanisms, and it is when combined with other active substances with similar mechanisms of action that undesirable or unexpected effects can occur.
CBD and alcohol are diametrically opposed in many ways: CBD is not addictive, nor does it cause dependence, nor does it impair consciousness or inhibitions, unlike alcohol. Nevertheless, they do have one thing in common: both act on GABA receptors, liver enzymes and serotonin receptors.
Both alcohol and CBD, when present in the blood, are processed by liver enzymes, whose purpose is to deactivate them, making them eliminable by the body. But the problem is that consuming both at the same time "occupies" these enzymes more, making them less effective at clearing the blood of alcohol, exacerbating the drunken effect and its duration.
Alcohol also acts on serotonin receptors, and it is partly this interaction that produces the sensations of well-being and disinhibition associated with alcohol consumption.
But when the two molecules are consumed together, the cumulative effect of their effects further enhances 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 overconsumption of alcohol, and thus the risk of acute intoxication.
Both molecules activate these receptors. Consuming both substances at the same time can lead to over-solicitation, which can prove problematic, causing excessive drowsiness and, in some cases, even dangerous drowsiness. What's more, CBD consumption slows the activity of neurotransmitters that interact with GABA receptors, which can amplify the effects of alcohol, making it more potent in equal doses.
Ultimately, the combination of CBD and alcohol is not a risk-free cocktail. This is not so much because together they produce an adverse effect on the body or mind, but because CBD amplifies the effects of alcohol and the dangers associated with alcohol consumption.
If you've consumed CBD and are about to go out for a drink or share a meal with friends, we can't advise you enough to watch your alcohol intake!
Combined with certain drugs, CBD can produce adverse effects due to similar or even synergistic or opposing mechanisms of action. Among the most sensitive treatments are :
According to an authoritative 2021 study at Penn State College of Medicine, more than 57 drugs are thought to interact undesirably with CBD.
Like alcohol, many drugs such as sedatives, tranquilizers and benzodiazepines also act on GABA receptors. Combined with CBD, these treatments can lead to over-stimulation, resulting in excessive drowsiness, confusion and even respiratory problems in extreme cases.
Since these enzymes are supposed to cleanse the blood and rid it of drug molecules. Medicines are formulated with this in mind. By consuming CBD at the same time, the enzymes are overwhelmed and are no longer able to remove the drug molecules as quickly as they should. This can amplify their efficacy, 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.
As serotonin receptors are involved in mood and anxiety regulation, they are targeted by antidepressants and anxiolytics. Consumed with CBD, the receptors are overloaded over a longer period than with alcohol, which can lead to an imbalance in neuronal processes and reduce the short- and medium-term impact of the drugs. 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 host of other effects.
Heavy-duty drug treatments such as those we've just described have no room 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 margin. The slightest chemical imbalance in the body can result in a totally different effect. That's why, if you're undergoing heavy treatment of this kind, it' s very important to consult your specialist doctor before taking CBD.
Although CBD consumption is not dangerous, it is not without effect. And that's why so many people consume CBD flowers, resins and all other CBD products. It can help you relax and achieve a sense of well-being.
But care must be taken when consuming CBD with other active substances such as alcohol and medication. Due to similar mechanisms of action, they can produce effects that are greater or different from those expected and could, in some cases, prove dangerous.
Fortunately, these cases are quite rare, and we trust that you will adopt a responsible approach to cbd consumption, so that you can enjoy its effects for a long time to come!
We hope you've learned something new from reading this article, and thank you for reading all the way through! Don't forget to browse our blog for lots ofother interesting information about CBD!
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