Some people have preconceived notions of what CBD is, what it can do, and how it affects our bodies. There are many myths surrounding this compound including a common one that states that the use of CBD oil will give you a hangover. In this article, we will debunk some of the most common misconceptions about CBD, talk about its proven side effects, and answer the question: does CBD give you a hangover?
What is a hangover?
A hangover is a group of symptoms that are caused by the consumption of large quantities of alcohol. These symptoms usually appear the following day with no absolute cure but some practices to manage the sickness.
Drinking alcohol in large doses can cause dehydration, inflammation, electrolyte imbalances, and more. These are the key reasons behind hangovers that can vary in intensity depending on the level of consumption and its pacing, sleep, and hydration.
Ingesting large quantities of weed has been proven to cause some signs of a hangover as well, although not a lot of research is available on the matter.
Symptoms of a hangover
We can sum up the certain symptoms that are often referred to as a hangover before diving into their details. Whenever these conditions are present with severity for a prolonged period of time, it may indicate alcohol poisoning. In that case, the individual is advised to visit a health center or a hospital. They include:
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Disorientation
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Inability to focus
- Excessive thirst
- Bad breath
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
What causes a hangover?
Dehydration:
Dehydration is one of the main causes of a hangover. Since alcohol is a substance that promotes diuresis which is an increased need to urinate. Once an individual is urinated multiple times without hydrating they can suffer from extreme thirst and dizziness.
Blood Pressure:
Usually, alcohol is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes the body’s blood vessels and decreases its blood pressure. Since blood flow to the body’s organs is low, the heart races to pump up more and more blood. This results in a high heart rate, shortness of breath, and headaches.
Irritated stomach:
Some digestive problems can arise too due to the increased production of stomach acids in combination with a slow rate of gastric emptying. The result can be hangover symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Blood sugar concentration:
The blood sugar level is the concentration of glucose in the blood. Drinking large quantities of alcohol increases insulin secretion, which causes low blood sugar. The outcome can be lightheadedness, weakness, trembling, and fatigue.
Inflammation:
Excessive drinking of alcohol can also trigger a negative immune system response in the form of inflammation. This leads to -in extreme cases- trouble concentrating, lack of focus and appetite, and memory loss.
Can weed cause a hangover?
The jury’s still out but more and more evidence is showing that there is indeed such thing as a weed hangover. Its symptoms may be similar to an alcohol hangover since it includes symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, dry mouth, and nausea. It follows the same basic principles of an alcohol hangover which is overconsumption in a short period of time without proper hydration or rest can lead to some unpleasant symptoms over the following day.
Can CBD give you a hangover?
Well, to answer this question, we must first learn about the compound itself, how it works, and what side effects does it have?
Cannabidiol (CBD oil) is a non-intoxicating product derived from cannabis. It has possible health benefits due to its ability to treat chronic pain, depression, anxiety, inflammation, and even seizures.
This drug does not have the same effects as cannabis, as in getting you high. CBD oil contains a fraction of the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that you need to feel a buzz. However, some preparations of CBD oil may have more than a smudge of THC. So while raw CBD oil can not get you high, some treatments that are not pure surely can.
That’s why the answer to that question is no. This drug simply does not have the compounds needed to get you high or give you a hangover. In fact, taking CBD oil does not really have any kind of distinct sensation except some relief from any body aches, headaches, inflammation, and so on.
CBD will not give you a hangover as long as you make sure that it is more than 50% CBD with minimal traces of THC or none at all.
What does CBD do?
CBD can do so much with very few to no side effects. It is used to treat various types of inflammation, to ease anxiety, and to kill pain. Individuals who have taken CBD oil have experienced decreased levels of anxiety, improved mood, diminished discomfort, and minimized pain. Not only that but also relaxation of the mind and muscles.
It can come in many forms including CBD gummies, CBD vape juice, CBD edibles, CBD pills and capsules, and even CBD bath bombs.
This drug is even safe to consume for your pet. If your cat or dog suffers from anxiety or pain, they can feel relieved in a safe and risk-free way using CBD oil for cats and CBD oil for dogs.
What are the side effects of CBD?
As a matter of fact, CBD is considered an extremely safe drug. Its side effects are quite minor and can be easily managed. Let’s explore the possible side effects resulting from this substance:
Liver inflammation:
There is a possibility of an increase in liver enzymes following the ingestion of CBD oil. That’s why people with liver disease are recommended to use CBD under the supervision of a physician.
Blood Pressure:
It is generally recommended that individuals with pre-existing issues with blood pressure should not take CBD without consulting a doctor. It has been documented that high doses of this substance can result in lowering blood pressure slightly.
This temporary drop in blood pressure occurs occasionally within the initial moments of taking CBD and can cause some dizziness or lightheadedness. However, this is easily managed since it lasts for only a short period of time. Laying down or having something sweet can be great ways to elevate your blood pressure and get back to normal.
Nausea:
Some individuals have reported some stomach discomfort and mild nausea after taking CBD oil. Although this drug is typically used to treat these symptoms, some people may react differently to certain substances. If these digestive issues do arise after ingesting CBD, it is recommended to lower the dosage and wait for it to pass.
Sleepiness:
CBD’s relationship with sleep is directly proportional to its dosage. When low doses of CBD are taken, individuals may feel a sense of calm, relaxation, and decreased anxiety and pain. That can actually make it harder to sleep. However, with large doses, it can cause drowsiness and sleepiness. These larger doses are used as a sleep aid to treat people who suffer from insomnia.
Headaches:
CBD oil is generally used to treat migraines and relieve the pain of headaches. However, there have been some reported cases of people suffering from headaches after taking it.
Dry mouth:
This is kind of a weird one but CBD and other cannabinoids have been proven to cause a dry mouth. The drug inhibits saliva production so be sure to stay hydrated.
How to deal with CBD side effects?
If you happen to experience any of these side effects after ingesting CBD oil, try switching the kind you are using with a better quality one. Pure CBD oil will have significantly fewer side effects than lower quality ones that are usually mixed with other substances such as tetrahydrocannabinol, ethanol, or isopropanol.
How to treat a hangover?
Well, despite the fact that CBD does not give you a hangover, we are still here to help. Unfortunately, hangovers do not have a specific and absolute cure but they can be prevented through reducing alcohol or weed consumption, pacing ingestion, thoroughly hydrating, and getting a good night’s sleep.
In case you do feel the symptoms of a hangover the next day, you will need to drink water, eat nutritiously, and restore electrolytes.
The key to managing a hangover is drinking plenty of water in between and after drinking. Since your body loses a lot of water due to increased urination, it is necessary to compensate for this loss and more.
For any digestive issues, try eating nutritious food that is high in antioxidants, sugar levels, and fructose such as bread and fruits. This will help break down the alcohol, raise back blood sugar, and soothe stomach discomfort.
For headaches, nausea, and inflammation, over the counter medication like NSAIDs, antacids, and pain killers can be life-saving.
Finally, getting a full night’s sleep will help eliminate some of the fatigue, brain fog, and body aches that come with a hangover. Feeling well-rested can speed up the recovery process and help you get back on your feet in no time.
