People use many substances these days for recreational purposes. Products like CBD oil, that take advantage of the health benefits of cannabidiol compounds, have become quite popular, yet many people still have the common misconception that you can get high because they contain cannabidiol (present in the cannabis plant).
Today, we are going to compare the effects of CBD oil and alcohol. We will cover the pros and cons of each, and see how they differ. One of these products is definitely a recreational drug while the other is a product that possesses multiple health benefits.
CBD Oil Products: The Good and the Bad
Let’s start with CBD oil products. The acronym “CBD” is an abbreviation used to refer to “cannabidiol,” the chemical compound found in the oil. Cannabidiol is one of the many cannabinoid chemicals that occur naturally in cannabis plants. This particular compound is present in both marijuana and hemp plants.
Marijuana and hemp differ in terms of the THC content present in each one—and this is significant. THC is the abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol and is the chemical that causes a person to experience psychoactive effects, often described as a “high,” when they smoke marijuana or ingest edibles made from it.
While the marijuana plant tends to contain large amounts of THC, the same is not true for hemp plants—and most CBD products on the market are extracted from hemp. Hemp is legal in the United States as well as many other countries.
The THC content found in a hemp plant is almost insignificant. You will find that while the majority of CBD oil products contain large amounts of cannabidiol content, the THC content in these oils is typically lower than 0.3%.
The Benefits of Cannabidiol
Many studies have been performed to show how cannabidiol works to improve a person’s overall well-being. There is quite a significant amount of scientific research available on the subject, and a critical thing to note here: The substance has also been deemed extremely safe even in large doses.
Some of the most noteworthy health benefits and medicinal properties that cannabidiol compounds possess include:
- Alleviating pain. The product is shown to be very useful for people who suffer from chronic pain. Some studies have found that CBD oil could assist in reducing pain associated with arthritis as well as multiple sclerosis.
- Managing mental health issues. Studies have shown that cannabidiol can help treat and manage certain mental health conditions. In particular, researchers have shown that the use of CBD oil is incredibly useful in relieving some symptoms associated with depression. The compound may also be helpful in treating and alleviating the severity of anxiety symptoms.
- Lowering the risk of disease. CBD may also have neuroprotective properties. This means consistently using these products could help to lower the risk of certain conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
- Supporting heart health. There is some evidence that shows CBD may also help reduce blood pressure at a resting state. High blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels, so by lowering overall blood pressure, there may be less damage to the heart and arteries.
Side Effects and Drawbacks of CBD
The great thing about CBD oil and other products that contain cannabidiol is that the compound is considered very safe. In fact, some people have used doses as high as 1,500 mg on a daily basis without experiencing any significant side effects.
The only reported side effects among frequent users:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure (there are some cases where blood pressure has dropped lower than what is considered normal)
Alcohol: The Good and the Bad
Alcohol is one of the most commonly used recreational substances in the world. There is an impressive selection of different alcohols on the market ranging from your fermented drinks, like beer and cider, to more potent options such as vodka and tequila.
Alcohol, while legal, is considered a recreational drug because of its side effects—and these side-effects are actually why people use it.
The Benefits Of Alcohol
While CBD has a reported number of potential health benefits, no benefits have been associated with drinking alcohol. Some studies have shown that drinking a daily glass of red wine could yield some health advantages, but this is not due to the alcohol content found in the drink. Rather the benefits are derived from resveratrol—a compound found in grapes.
Side Effects and Drawbacks of Alcohol
Alcohol can be very dangerous because it causes intoxication, which is why many people seem to enjoy it, especially during a night out. This isn’t the only impact alcohol has on the body.
Alcoholic drinks are hard on the liver, and people who drink too much alcohol are at risk of fatty liver disease. Drinks that contain alcohol are also not very good for heart health. Studies have shown that too much alcohol can elevate blood pressure levels.
While you are intoxicated, your ability to think clearly is impaired, putting you at greater risk of being hurt or killed while driving—or hurting someone else. And we haven’t even gotten to the hangover you get the morning after a night spent drinking. Common effects of drinking alcohol include headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Conclusion
Recreational substances are used by billions of people every year. While CBD products are sometimes confused for a recreational drug, these oils do not contain the psychoactive properties that one tends to find in marijuana. Since we are comparing CBD to alcohol in this article, it’s important to note here that cannabidiol also has been shown to be useful in the treatment of substance abuse. Understanding the differences between alcohol and CBD is important in determining the benefits for your health and avoid potentially harmful effects could ultimately end up putting you in harm’s way.
