Cannabidiol as a Novel Candidate Alcohol Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy: A Systematic Review

It may also reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but more research is needed in this area. This review provides an insight into the possible and potential interactions of CBD with other classes of commonly used drugs based on the evidence and knowledge currently available. Further clinical studies in the patient populations for whom prescribing may be considered are needed to derive a better understanding of these drugs and enhance safe and optimal prescribing. Given few existing case reports or clinical trials available on CBD’s interactions with other drugs, future research should address and characterize the mechanisms of these interactions. The growing popularity of CBD use and the lack of sufficient information on CBD drug–drug interactions make it imperative that we investigate the impact of CBD upon concomitant drug use in future randomized, controlled trials. The research into using CBD as a treatment for AUD is in its early stages.

• Each group received either ethanol only, vehicle i.p, CBD i.p., or CBD transdermal delivery.
• Additional research from 2018 concluded that CBD helped decrease impulsive behavior in rats with alcohol or cocaine addiction.
• The possible drug–drug interactions of CBD based on these known targets against potential medications are collectively listed as flow chart figures that could have high clinical significance and relevance.

While some research has shown that CBD may help limit alcohol intake, there’s no evidence it can effectively treat alcohol use disorder. Because CBD products aren’t regulated the same way as prescription drugs, it’s essential to look for CBD from companies that test their products in third-party labs. 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. In fact, animal studies suggest that CBD may actually help treat certain types of addiction.

CBD Oil & Alcohol Withdrawals

If you decide to mix CBD and alcohol, stick to low amounts of both to minimize the risk of adverse side effects. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. What’s more, the effects of CBD vary by individual, so it’s difficult to determine whether mixing CBD and alcohol would affect all people in a similar way. Nevertheless, one study in 24 smokers found that using a CBD inhaler for one week reduced cigarette use by 40%. This is because some animal studies have shown that CBD can help reduce several symptoms of addiction and withdrawal (17, 18). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol in your blood.

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. Comparison of cannabidiol, antioxidants, and diuretics in reversing binge ethanol-induced neurotoxicity.

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

For example, CBD cosmetics applied to your skin are unlikely to be absorbed into the body. However, eating or inhaling CBD will affect your brain as well as your body. Inhaled CBD will also usually work faster than CBD products you swallow.

• However, right now, the evidence behind using CBD for alcohol use disorder is flimsy at best and primarily based on animal studies.
• This review provides an insight into the possible and potential interactions of CBD with other classes of commonly used drugs based on the evidence and knowledge currently available.
• Other reports also demonstrate the possible interactions of CBD with rufinamide, zonisamide, and eslicarbazepine—increased accumulation of these drugs in the blood with concomitant use of CBD and their levels should be closely monitored37.
• More specifically, subjects with AUD may be affected by the consequences of recurrent alcohol abuse on the body, including alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD), and alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI).

A lot of conversation around CBD and alcohol use centers around the idea of harm reduction. This is the idea that even though CBD may still have risks, it may be less harmful to the body than alcohol. CBD’s interaction with AEDs and antidepressants is a topic of interest for physicians because of the possibility of simultaneous consumption of both. CBD has been reported https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-cannabidiol-addictive-the-effects-of-cbd/ to interact with several anticonvulsants, including diazepam, lamotrigine, and phenytoin28,29; sedative drugs including barbiturates such as phenobarbital and hexobarbital30; and narcotics such as codeine and morphine. 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.