Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Cannabis Blog's picture

Does CBD Relax Like Alcohol?

Discover why CBD is a superior relaxation option to alcohol. Explore the therapeutic benefits of CBD products like gummies, oils and softgels for anxiety, pain relief, and sleep. Learn how CBD interacts with the body and why it's a safer, cost-effective alternative to alcohol.

Does CBD Relax Like Alcohol?

CBD products have become quite popular in recent years, mainly because of their healing and therapeutic properties. People use products like CBD gummies, Oils and Softgels to deal with their day-to-day anxiety, pain and sleep-related issues. Alcohol, on the other hand, is only consumed for recreational purposes. 

It affects our central nervous system, makes us relaxed and takes away inhibitions. But the major issue with alcohol is its severe negative impact on our health. That’s why lately there's been a surge in demand for products like CBD beer. But can CBD products really relax like alcohol? Let’s find out.


CBD vs Alcohol: Which One Is Better For Relaxation? 

If your only goal is to relax and wind down, then CBD is definitely a much better option than alcoholic drinks. Of course, it won’t make you feel as happy, heightened or inhibitionless like alcohol, but it will be a blessing for your health.

You can also use CBD for anxiety disorders, as it’s scientifically proven for its anxiolytic properties. You can shop anxiety gummies here to sleep much better and relax at night. Another benefit of CBD over alcohol is its cost-effectiveness and long-term potential health benefits. 

Unlike alcohol, CBD doesn't have any intoxicating effects on our bodies, so there’s also no risk of hangovers and blackouts. So yeah, from a health perspective, CBD is a superior source of relaxation to alcohol. 


How Exactly Does CBD Work In Our Body?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike another well-used cannabinoid, THC, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects or get you "high." Instead, it interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a vital role in regulating various physiological processes. 

The ECS is a complex network of receptors and signaling molecules that helps maintain homeostasis, or balance, in our body. It affects everything from mood and appetite to sleep, pain perception, and immune function. CBD interacts with the ECS by binding to specific receptors, mainly the CB1 and CB2 receptors. 

When CBD binds to these receptors, it can produce a variety of effects. For example, it can help reduce inflammation by interacting with the CB2 receptors found in the immune system. It may also influence the release of neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, which can impact mood and anxiety levels.

CBD also has neuroprotective properties, meaning it may help protect the brain and nervous system from damage or degeneration. This could potentially be beneficial for conditions like Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. 

Another interesting aspect of CBD is its ability to modulate the effects of other compounds in the cannabis plant, such as THC. When taken together, CBD can potentially mitigate some of the psychoactive effects of THC, while enhancing its therapeutic benefits. 

It's important to note that while CBD holds promise for various medical applications, more research is still needed to fully understand its mechanisms and potential therapeutic uses. However, the growing body of evidence suggests that CBD could be a valuable addition to the world of natural remedies and alternative therapies.


How Alcohol Works in Our Body

When we consume alcoholic beverages, it sets off a complex chain of events within our bodies. As soon as the first sip of an alcoholic drink hits our mouths, the absorption process begins. 

A small amount of alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth and esophagus. The majority of the alcohol we consume travels down to the stomach and small intestine, where it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Once in the bloodstream, alcohol is distributed throughout the body, reaching various organs and tissues. The effects of alcohol on our bodies are primarily determined by the concentration of alcohol in the blood, known as blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

As the BAC rises, alcohol starts to exert its effects on the brain. It acts as a depressant, slowing down the communication between brain cells and affecting our cognitive and motor functions. This is why we may experience slurred speech, impaired judgment, and decreased coordination when consuming alcohol.

Alcohol also has an impact on other organs and systems in our bodies. It can lead to dehydration, as it inhibits the production of a hormone called vasopressin, which helps regulate fluid balance. It can also irritate the lining of the stomach, potentially causing nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing and breaking down alcohol. However, if alcohol is consumed faster than the liver can process it, the excess alcohol can accumulate and lead to liver damage over time. Also alcohol can also have short-term effects on our body's ability to regulate temperature. 

It causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a feeling of warmth or flushing, particularly in the skin. While moderate alcohol consumption may have some potential health benefits, excessive and prolonged alcohol use can lead to serious consequences, including liver disease, brain damage, and an increased risk of certain cancers.


Key Takeaways in the World of CBD Beverages

To sum it up, CBD is a much more health-effective and cost-friendly source of relaxation as compared to alcohol. Though there will be a slight difference in experience because CBD won’t do much to your mood and happiness levels, it’s much safer, and other forms of relaxation can also relieve stress and help you recover better. Also, taking a few CBD gummies before bed can help improve your overall sleep hygiene. 

In some studies, CBD is also proven to be effective against neurological diseases and arthritis pain caused by inflammation in joints. So when we look at the pros and cons, it weighs heavily in CBD’s favor. Of course, alcohol can make you feel a bit more lively for a few hours, but at the cost of your liver’s health. 

Whereas CBD hardly has any severe negative effects and can bring a new wave of positive impact to your wellness journey. Another plus of CBD is that there’s no risk of overdosing, whereas it’s quite easy to overdose on alcohol, which can even lead to death in some cases. Hence, it’s better to gulp gummies or tinctures instead of whisky shots. Just make sure to buy CBD only from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals.