CBD oil bottle
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Healthline has sole editorial control over the article. The products listed here are not health claims. The information in this article is not intended to be very specific. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Healthline encourages you to talk to your healthcare professional about treatment decisions.

Alcohol use disorder occurs when a person isn’t able to limit or control how much they use alcohol, despite experiencing negative consequences. Overusing alcohol can result in changes to the brain, making it harder to stop the behavior.

According to the 2020 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, more than 40 million people in the United States over the age of 12 had alcohol use disorder.

“People may have trouble getting treatment for substance use disorder because of the stigma. The survey shows that more than 98% of people who needed SUD treatment in 2020 didn’t need it.”

Cannabidiol may be able to help curb those symptoms and repair some of the damage that alcohol can do to the body, but you might be curious about that.

There is research on the effects of cannabidiol on alcohol use disorder.

Cannabis contains many compounds, including some called cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD are the two most abundant cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

“The effects of cannabis are different than those of candiol. Taking it alone won’t make you feel high.”

The FDA regulates other products like prescription medications differently than it does for cannabinoids. Some companies may mislabel their products.

For example, some sellers incorrectly market hempseed oil as CBD oil. But hempseed oil doesn’t actually contain CBD. CBD is only found in the other parts of the hemp plant, like the stalks, leaves, and flowers. It doesn’t naturally occur in the seeds.

CBD glossary

  • Full-spectrum. This type of CBD contains all the compounds from the cannabis plant, including minimal amounts of THC (less than 0.3 percent for federally legal products).
  • Broad-spectrum. CBD that’s labeled broad-spectrum contains some cannabis plant compounds, but no THC.
  • Isolate. CBD isolate is pure CBD and doesn’t contain other cannabis plant compounds.
  • Terpene. A terpene is an aromatic compound found in the cannabis plant. Terpenes are responsible for how cannabis smells.
  • Flavonoids. These are compounds that contribute to the cannabis plant’s smell and flavor. Flavonoids may also contribute to the therapeutic effects that CBD and cannabis are known for.
  • Entourage effect. The entourage effect is the idea that CBD and THC work best as a pair.

All humans have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Experts believe that the ECS works to maintain balance in the body. But they still don’t know exactly how it works or understand all of its functions.

“The endocannabinoids are included in theECS. When endocannabinoids bind to the body’s cannabinoid receptors, they can produce effects like pain relief. When those endocannabinoids are done, the enzymes break them down.”

In a 2007 animal study, researchers found that both short- and long-term alcohol use affects the level of endocannabinoids in the brains of rats. The changes happened in brain regions related to emotion and other areas associated with alcohol use disorder.

Another study from 2005 also suggests that the ECS, specifically CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, plays a role in alcohol use disorder. Study authors concluded more research into this link may help experts develop therapies for the condition.

Research from 2021 in rats also suggests that chronic alcohol use and withdrawal may affect endocannabinoid levels in the body.

The ECS interacts with both cannabinoids and other substances. CB1 and CB2 are cannabinoid receptors.

“Some experts believe that the breakdown of endocannabinoids can be prevented by the interaction of candiol and theECS. This is still a theory. We don’t know howCannabidiol works within theECS.”

Researchers are looking into the effects ofCannabidiol on people with alcohol use disorder.

A 2015 review of human and animal studies suggests that CBD may help curb cocaine, opioid, stimulant, tobacco, and cannabis addiction.

“The review noted that taking the two together didn’t make participants feel less intoxicated. The reviewers did not study other aspects of alcohol use disorder.”

Additional research from 2018 concluded that CBD helped decrease impulsive behavior in rats with alcohol or cocaine addiction. The effects lasted up to 5 months after the last dose of CBD.

One 2019 review of human and animal studies suggests that CBD may help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their alcohol intake. The review also suggests that CBD may provide neuroprotective effects against alcohol-related brain damage.

A 2018 study in mice looked at low doses of CBD combined with naltrexone, an FDA-approved medication for treating alcohol use disorder. CBD and naltrexone combined were more effective at reducing alcohol consumption than either one alone. But clinical trials are needed to better understand the role of CBD in alcohol use disorder.

A 2021 study involving 120 people who use cannabis and alcohol found that those who took CBD for 5 days had fewer drinking days and consumed less alcohol when they did drink. This suggests CBD use may help curb alcohol consumption.

It is important to remember that much of the research onCannabidiol for alcohol use disorder involves animals and not humans. Animal studies are not a good indicator of howCannabidiol will work in humans.

Clinical trials will ultimately provide researchers with a better understanding of how CBD can help with alcohol use disorder.

Drinking too much alcohol can put intense strain on your liver. Eventually, this can lead to a condition called alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD). ARLD can cause liver failure and potentially shorten your lifespan.

A 2019 review suggests that in addition to reducing alcohol intake in people with alcohol use disorder, CBD may also prevent liver inflammation and damage due to excessive drinking.

All studies included in this review were animal studies. Human studies will help researchers understand howCannabidiol helps prevent damage to the body from excessive drinking.

Also, a 2019 animal study found that very high doses of CBD — the equivalent of 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight — could actually cause liver damage.

“Since this study was done on mice, and you are not likely to take that muchCannabidiol by accident, these results don’t tell us much.”

More research is needed to know ifCannabidiol affects the liver.

Many people are eager to find out more about the health benefits ofCannabidiol, because it is unlikely to cause serious side effects.

In some cases, it can cause.

  • fatigue
  • The weight changes.
  • There is a lot of diarrhea.

Even though side effects are likely to be mild, talk with your doctor before taking CBD. That’s because it can interact with some medications, like those with a grapefruit warning.

Based on current research, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that CBD doesn’t seem to have any potential for abuse or dependence.

In fact, animal studies suggest that CBD may actually help treat certain types of addiction.

One 2019 review notes that CBD is highly tolerated and has an “absence of abuse liability,” meaning it’s unlikely people will develop an addiction to it.

More research is needed to understand the role ofCannabidiol in helping with SUDs.

It’s also important to note that THC carries the potential for dependence and addiction. According to a 2011 study, there’s around a 10% chance of developing dependence when using cannabis.

It is important to pick a quality product when shopping forCannabidiol. It can be difficult to sort through all the options. Here are some things to keep in mind while shopping.

CBD type

Full-spectrum products may produce more noticeable effects because of the entourage effect, which says that THC and CBD work better together than they do alone.

Isolates are a good choice if you want to steer clear of THC.

Some of the benefits of the entourage effect may be offered by broad-spectrumCannabidiol products, which do not contain the active ingredient, THC. Broad-spectrumCannabidiol can contain trace amounts, which is important to know.

Third-party testing

Because of the wayCannabidiol products are regulated, it is important to look for companies that test their products in third-party labs.

Look for products that come with a certificate of analysis (COA).

You will want to check.

  • The product label may have the potency on it.
  • For testing for things like mold and pesticides.
  • The date of the COA should be recent.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends talking with your doctor about alcohol use disorder if you respond “yes” to at least two of the following questions.

Have you in the past year?

  • Had periods where you drank longer or more than you planned?
  • Wanted to stop or cut down on your drinking, but couldn’t?
  • Did you have a strong urge to drink?
  • Did you spend a lot of time drinking or being sick after drinking?
  • Did you notice that drinking interfered with your job, or school?
  • Do you no longer like doing things that make you drink?
  • Did you participate in risky behavior after drinking?
  • Continued drinking even though it made you feel bad, physically or mentally?
  • Did you find yourself needing to drink more to feel the same effects?
  • Had withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, nausea, restlessness, or sweating?

If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to your doctor, you can also consider talking with a therapist or joining a support group, either in person or online.

Is CBD oil good for people in recovery from alcohol addiction?

Because it has no effects on the brain and carries little to no risk of addiction, it may be an option for people who are recovering from alcohol use disorder.

People recovering from alcohol use disorder may want to avoid products that have small amounts of THC.

Can CBD keep you sober?

While some research has shown that CBD may help limit alcohol intake, there’s no evidence it can effectively treat alcohol use disorder.

Some communities view the drug as an addictive drug. It is seen as a helpful alternative treatment that can help with things that may cause alcohol use disorder, such as depression or chronic pain.

Does CBD curb alcohol cravings?

Research from 2021 shows a combination of CBD and naltrexone, an FDA-approved drug for treating alcohol use disorder, can help curb alcohol cravings.

There is not much evidence to suggest that candrian alone is enough to stop the urge to drink.

Alcohol use disorder is a serious condition that can be treated.

Some people may find it helpful to include it in their treatment plan. The evidence behind using cannabis for alcohol use disorder is flimsy at best and mostly based on animal studies.

If you think you have a medical problem, you should talk to a doctor. This may include going to counseling, taking medication, or attending support groups.

Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

A writer with chronic migraines, Steph Coelho is interested in health and well being. She is probably nose-deep in a good book when she is not on her keyboard.