How to Use CBD for Hangovers
Having one drink too many is pretty common. In fact, it’s easy to ignore its detrimental effects as you’re pounding drink after drink. However, when morning comes around and the hangover hits you like a punch, you might end up regretting your night of drinking.
Symptoms like nausea, headaches, and even lack of motivation to get out of bed are extremely common for anyone suffering from a hangover. As you must know, everyone has their own secret hangover cure, but one of the newest trends is using cannabidiol (CBD) for hangovers, too.
Can you Take CBD after Drinking?
The CBD industry is into the product for its apparent effectiveness in relieving a whole range of physical and psychological symptoms. However, there is no definitive study as of this writing that CBD for hangovers is effective.
That being said, there are many studies that explore CBD for reducing anxiety, inflammation, nausea, and chronic pain. The results have been promising and have led some to hypothesize that CBD may also be effective in relieving the symptoms of a hangover.
Can CBD Help a Hangover?
It is important to first define what exactly a hangover is. You may be surprised to know that hangovers and what cause them are still quite mysterious to modern science. But one thing that is certain is that dehydration plays a central role in causing hangovers.
Alcohol is a diuretic so it causes your blood to lose fluids and nutrients at a faster rate than other liquids. In fact, your body loses up to four times as much fluids for every alcoholic drink you take.
It follows then that the more fluids you lose, the more water you’ll need to replenish yourself. If you are already of dehyradtion and drink even more alcohol, you are setting yourself up for an even worse hangover the next day.
But there is much more to hangovers than just dehydration. Genetics and alcohol metabolism also play a role in the development and severity of hangovers. If you overwhelm you body’s capacity to break down toxins, you are more likely to experience a hangover.
Your body processes alcohol and other toxins through your renal system, which includes your kidneys, ureters, and bladder. As it does this, it carries away electrolytes from your bloodstream. You may experience a nutrient deficiency when you lose too many electrolytes.
A lack of nutrients such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium may cause hangover symptoms like headaches, low immunity, and brain fog.
In terms of keeping yourself hydrated and improving alcohol metabolism, CBD has shown no therapeutic effects whatsoever. The only real way to remedy dehydration is diligence in drinking water when you are consuming alcoholic drinks. Rule of thumb: always have a glass of water when you drink!
But since hangovers are a collection of symptoms rather than just a single symptom, CBD hangovers may still be effective for nausea and headaches that are common a day or two after you drink alcohol.
How CBD Reduces Hangovers
There are other possible ways to improve CBD hangover symptoms. More than one factor can cause hangovers. This may mean that a multifaceted approach would be best in relieving yourself of your hangover.
Having a multifaceted approach may also be more effective as hangover symptoms overlap with other symptoms. An example would be headaches that dehydration can cause may also point towards magnesium deficiency or both.
Curbing Nausea Symptoms
When alcohol levels in the bloodstream peak, they set off alarms in the so-called vomiting center of the brain stem. When this happens, muscles start contracting to upset stomach contents and prevent absorption of toxic substances, in this case, alcohol.
Initial studies into CBD and its wellness claims have found it effective in relieving nausea and vomiting. This antiemetic effect is of interest to people living with serious side effects of chemotherapy, but it is also of interest to people who just want to use CBD for hangovers.
It’s possible that the anti-nausea effects of CBD work by indirectly activating serotonin receptors in the brain stem. Once of activation, the receptors specifically known as 5HT-1A are thought to lower serotonin release. When this happens, the urge to vomit is blocked along with the sensation of nausea.
It’s also believed that THC, the other more notorious cannabinoid found in cannabis, is even better at curbing nausea as it has a direct effect on the brain stem. THC activates the CB1 endocannabinoid receptors in the brain stem which blocks signals to stop headaches, nausea right then and there.
Quick facts, the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) responds to both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids. These cannabinoids are very similar in structure. Endocannabinoids are naturally produced by the body while cannabis plants produce phytocannabinoids like CBD and even THC.
However, THC is a psychoactive substance. As it stands, THC remains illegal on the federal level. Access to THC is made even worse in other parts of the world where cannabis is completely illegal.
Stimulating Appetite
Alcohol affects your brain stem’s vomiting center and can produce nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain. While these are meant to prevent toxins from entering your system, it also means that they may affect your appetite while hungover.
CBD hangover may be effective for this purpose. By calming nausea you are experiencing, you may get your appetite back. This may work even better when you eat foods that are known to improve hangovers. By having the appetite to eat healthy foods and drinks, you may also be able to improve your blood sugar levels which have likely crashed after a night of drinking.
Blood Sugar Control
Alcohol beverages directly reduce your blood sugar levels and can lead to states of hypoglycemia. This simply means that there is not enough blood sugar in the bloodstream to satisfy the needs of your internal organs. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include lightheadedness, stress, shakiness, irritability, fatigue, and poor concentration.
While it may seem like consuming sugary foods while drinking is the solution, it actually makes things worse due to how insulin works. Your pancreas releases insulin when levels of blood sugar rise. Insulin transfers sugar into cells so that it can be used for energy production.
Sugary foods peak your blood sugar rapidly. This then triggers a release of insulin to remove it from the bloodstream. This also means that you can experience a blood sugar crash when you stop eating sugary foods.
Cannabinoids have a positive effect in controlling blood sugar. A study explored the effects of marijuana, which contains both THC and CBD, and found a 17% reduction in insulin resistance among marijuana users versus non-users.
It is worth noting that the benefits of CBD oil towards controlling blood sugar are long-term benefits rather than short-term. For the purposes of this article, this simply means that using CBD hangover may have little to no effect.
How Much CBD to Take for Hangovers
There is no definite science that can back up the use of CBD for hangovers. This being the case, it is difficult to prescribe an amount of CBD for hangover relief. But you can purchase CBD in many different forms such as CBD oil, capsules, gummies, and as raw flowers.
You should be aware that CBD affects people differently. Tolerances can vary wildly from person to person though people have been known to comfortably handle between 20 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) of CBD per day. It is advisable to try out small doses of CBD to find out your own tolerances before moving up in doses.
More Tips to Prevent Hangovers
CBD for hangovers may not offer the one-stop solution people are looking for. However, there are many other ways you can prevent hangovers. Always drink lots of water before, during, and after drinking alcohol. Keep a glass of water by your bedside as this is the first thing you will need upon waking up the next day, hungover and all.
You can also take magnesium supplements. Did you know that magnesium has a critical role in about 300 enzymatic processes, including metabolizing alcohol? Your body depletes its magnesium supply when drinking, so it may be in your best interest to take supplements to prevent magnesium deficiency-related headaches and brain fog.
Another supplement to explore is B vitamins. This vitamin is also usually of depletion whenever your body converts alcohol into less harmful compounds. You may benefit from this extra boost by taking a supplement before going to bed.
If you are concerned about the possible side effects of CBD with other supplements, or about CBD for hangovers, consult your primary care physician.
Summary
Here are some quick answers for you on the effectiveness of CBD for hangovers.
Learn More About CBD for Hangovers
CBD is of use as a wellness ingredient. It may relieve a variety of symptoms although research on CBD’s scope of effectiveness is still being of establishment. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, improvement of sleep, reduction of pain and nausea, and possible removal of free radicals.
Can CBD help with hangover symptoms?
CBD may have an effect on your blood sugar levels. But for a meaningful, short-term effect, CBD for hangovers may best be used in the reduction of nausea. A multifaceted approach including eating high-protein foods, drinking lots of water, and taking supplements may be more effective for hangovers.
What is the best type of CBD for hangovers?
CBD for hangovers may not be as effective as others tout it to be. For one, there are no studies to back up this claim. You can take CBD products in a variety of forms including edibles like gummies, beverages, topicals, and even raw flowers to be for immediate effects.
How do you stop feeling sick when hungover?
The amount and rate of alcohol consumption has a direct effect on how sick you will feel. As a general rule, the less you drink the less your hangover. You can also prevent some of the worst symptoms by making you eat protein-rich foods, stay hydrated, and take supplements like magnesium and B vitamins.
CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical conditions. It is not of approval by the Food and Drug Administration and must only be of use as a supplement.
Updated on March 11, 2021
