CBD Hangovers: What do we know? Are they real? How often do they occur? What can you do to avoid them?
As well, can CBD prevent hangovers? Or cure them? What even is a hangover, anyway?
These are all relevant questions that we will answer in this blog post. But first, what is CBD? And what do people use it for?
What We Know About CBD
CBD stands for Cannabidiol, one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in the cannabis or hemp plant. Cannabinoids mimic the endocannabinoids that the body produces naturally.
Everybody has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which helps regulate mood, appetite, sleep, and pain response, among other things. CBD is an external cannabinoid that binds to our cannabinoid receptors.
CBD is not like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which causes the “high” associated with cannabis.
It isn’t psychoactive like THC, but CBD does act on our cannabinoid receptors. CBD won’t leave you feeling intoxicated. But, as we have these receptors throughout our brain and body, CBD will interact with them.
People use CBD to reduce their anxiety or depression. Others use CBD to treat their inflammation and body pains. Or to combat insomnia and sleep problems. Some might use it to assist in their athletic performance.
Others might consume CBD with THC to dampen the psychoactive effects of THC, including the drowsiness associated with a THC hangover.
What We Know About Hangovers
A hangover isn’t just one thing, and other substances will produce different hangovers. The most common hangovers are from alcohol. Excessive alcohol will eventually produce unpleasant feelings, usually the next day.
These symptoms include sensitivity to light and sound, dehydration, headaches, nausea, stomach aches or “gut rot,” and body aches and cramps. In extreme cases, one can feel disoriented, anxious, and dizzy. More often than not, these symptoms lead a hungover person to vomit.
THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, has also been known to cause hangovers. Although not as unpleasant as alcohol’s hangover, THC can cause drowsiness, fatigue, excessive thirst, and even disorientation and headaches.
Many things cause hangovers. Alcohol, for example, causes dehydration, leading to headaches, thirst, and dizziness, which can lead to vomiting. Alcohol can also upset your body’s electrolyte balance, leading to headaches and irritability.
Many different factors cause an alcohol-induced hangover. The same goes for THC-induced hangovers. But what about CBD hangovers? If CBD is mostly non-psychoactive, then what would a CBD hangover even look like?
CBD Hangovers: Is It Even Possible?
The short answer is no. CBD is not a compound that can get you high; there is no buzz or intoxicating effects from CBD. Therefore, no hangover.
If there are trace amounts of THC in your CBD oil, or if you buy a balanced THC-CBD infusion, you could feel the drowsiness that comes from too much THC. But it would be the THC causing the hangover, not the CBD. And this can be avoided by buying CBD derived from the hemp plant, which has little-to-no THC.
CBD provides relief for inflammation, body aches, and headaches. All the common symptoms of hangovers. Which brings up an excellent question – can CBD cure a hangover?
Can CBD Cure an Alcohol-induced Hangover?
There is no curing a hangover. The best you can do is manage the sickness by staying hydrated and well-rested. But, as hangover symptoms are likely the result of dehydration, some researchers believe the endocannabinoid system is involved.
Fortunately, CBD doesn’t interact with alcohol. Nor will too much of it result in liver toxicity, a side effect of other anti-inflammatory drugs used for hangovers, such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen.
Researchers have well-documented studies on CBD reducing inflammation. The connection between inflammatory pains and hangover symptoms is pretty clear-cut. Some researchers believe a hangover is the result of an imbalanced endocannabinoid system.
CBD is well-known as an antiemetic, meaning it helps reduce nausea and vomiting. This quality is why CBD for cancer is so popular; it helps mitigate the effects of chemotherapy. But it works the same no matter how you came to be nauseous.
Additionally, CBD helps fight anxiety by influencing our serotonin system. Serotonin is a major neurotransmitter that regulates our mood. CBD brings equilibrium to the serotonin system. A significant benefit for those that are suffering from hangover-induced anxiety and irritability.
Can CBD Cure a THC-induced Hangover?
Hangovers from THC-dominant cannabis are rare but not unheard of. While regular users may experience no ill effects, casual users may feel drowsy the following day, possibly dehydrated, and with a headache. A glass of cold water or a hot cup of coffee can cure many of these symptoms. But others may prefer CBD.
CBD provides all the benefits mentioned above. But when it comes to treating a THC-induced hangover, CBD has a neat trick up its sleeve. Studies suggest CBD interferes with THC’s ability to bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
So when you take CBD and THC together (or take CBD a little later to counteract THC’s effect), your brain and body will make CBD a priority. In other words, CBD dilutes the effects of THC.
This aspect makes CBD an excellent option for those feeling tired from too much THC. Additionally, one doesn’t have to wait for a hangover. For example, if you ingested too much THC and you start to experience anxiety from getting too high, then taking CBD can help. CBD is always first in line for your cannabinoid receptors, even when you take THC first.
CBD Hangovers: What Do We Know?
When it comes to CBD-induced hangovers, we know they don’t exist. CBD is more-or-less non-psychoactive. There is no “high” or “stoned” feeling associated with the substance, so there is no recovery period where you feel less than optimal.
If anything, CBD provides health benefits when you feel less than great, which makes CBD an excellent option for dealing with hangovers, especially alcohol or THC-induced. Don’t take this to mean CBD is a cure-all.
Waking up after a night of binge drinking may feel like an axe has split open your skull. Rubbing CBD balm on your forehead isn’t going to make the pain go away magically. But it will make some of the discomfort manageable.
The same goes for other hangover symptoms. CBD won’t make them disappear altogether, but CBD drops will help alleviate the symptoms. Likewise, if you can’t stomach CBD oil, you can smoke the herb directly, vape it, or even try CBD hash.
Of course, when you’re hungover, you’re dehydrated, which makes CBD drinks another beneficial option. Alternatively, you could buy CBD powder to mix with some water to make CBD-infused water. If that doesn’t sound like a hangover remedy, then what does?
Because CBD for hangovers is still a new area of research, there is no universal agreement on how much CBD is required. A common rule of thumb is 5mg of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight. However, one’s age and metabolism can also play a factor. Fortunately, there is no lethal overdose of CBD, and no adverse side effects, so you can experiment with a dosage that works best for you.
