How does CBD help you wean yourself off your desire for alcohol?
CBD and alcohol: stop (or reduce) your consumption thanks to cannabidiol, how? Research on rats has shown excellent results when using CBD oil to reduce alcohol cravings in the rodents tested. This particular study noted that CBD reduced biomarkers of inflammation, which disrupts neurotransmitter production, leading to uncontrollable cravings and relapses.
Short-term alcohol consumption causes an artificial burst of chemicals in the brain. Alcohol will thus stimulate your biochemical and nervous reward system.
Long-term alcohol consumption also leads to deficiencies in nutrients necessary for optimal neurotransmitter production. Additionally, ethanol and its byproducts, for example acetaldehyde, lead to the production of pro-inflammatory compounds that directly inhibit the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, GABA and serotonin.
What are the known effects of alcohol on the body and the benefits of CBD Cannabidiol to combat this addiction?
CBD and alcohol withdrawal:
feel-good brain chemicals . It can do this by repairing oxidative stress in a similar way to antioxidants.
CBD directly restores our natural endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids (and even the number of endocannabinoid receptors) have been found to be severely depleted and even completely extinguished by heavy alcohol consumption.
Alcohol and your liver:
When it comes to drinking, the liver – which is responsible for breaking down alcohol – will usually take much of the damage. Excessive alcohol consumption overtime can saturate the organ with toxins and fats, leading to a host of complications and diseases.
And while some negative health effects are irreversible, research shows that avoiding alcohol can have a noticeable improvement on your liver.
Alcohol and your skin:
Responsible for inflammation, dehydration and a lack of nutrients, alcohol can have a disastrous impact on your skin. But if you stop drinking and consume more water, experts say you'll start to see major improvements.
Even after a short time, your skin might have a more youthful glow, appear less red, and feel more rejuvenated and hydrated.
Alcohol and your brain:
Excessive alcohol consumption can have a significant effect on your cognitive abilities, leading to mood swings, memory loss and lack of concentration. Some evidence suggests that alcohol can cause a chemical imbalance in our brain, impacting feelings of happiness and pleasure.
However, all is not lost, as researchers say it only takes a few months of sobriety for the brain to begin to return to normal.
Alcohol and weight loss:
What we drink plays an important role in our diet and excessive alcohol consumption can be fatal to a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol is often high in sugar and calories, which can lead to noticeable weight gain over time.
So if you stop drinking – or at least reduce your alcohol intake – you can start to see real changes in your fitness and appearance.
To conclude on CBD and alcohol:
The use of CBD for alcohol withdrawal is still a very new phenomenon. There are many promising anecdotal reports on the use of CBD for alcohol withdrawal, but more studies are needed before we can say that CBD has proven benefits for people struggling with alcohol addiction.
As mentioned previously, the two main benefits of CBD for alcohol withdrawal are reducing inflammation and replenishing endocannabinoids, both of which promote optimal neurotransmitter balance.
CBD exerts positive effects on people struggling with alcohol addiction in two specific ways:
- Reduce glutamate toxicity, which is relevant because alcohol withdrawal involves excess glutamate (a stress chemical) which contributes to insufficient GABA (the brain's “natural Valium”)
- Reduce alcohol cravings through a combination of reducing inflammation, restoring endocannabinoid and CB-1 receptor function, and combatting high glutamate levels
In many cases the use of CBD and alcohol is controversial. And there are signs that CBD is becoming more accepted. The media has begun to give voice to people who have used CBD for a variety of health conditions.