CBD and Other Natural Ways to Help Alleviate Hangovers

Waking up after a night of one too many drinks with a pounding headache, nauseous belly, or feeling like you can’t face your day is the pits. A primary reason for nasty morning-after symptoms is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which depletes your body of electrolytes and can cause brain fog, fatigue, and headaches. It also impacts your blood sugar levels and creates inflammation in your stomach due to its acidic nature, thus causing nausea. 

While there’s no such thing as a “hangover cure,” CBD and other natural ingredients can help lessen those oh-so-pesky day-after-drinking symptoms. 

How CBD Can Help Take the Edge Off of Hangovers

CBD may help improve some hangover effects, though it won’t eliminate them entirely. Taking CBD for a hangover can curtail nausea and headaches, two of the most common symptoms. With potent anti-inflammatory properties, CBD offers a natural remedy for aching muscles and anxiety relief. 

So how does it work, specifically? CBD works by interacting with your body's endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate immune function, metabolism, and much more. After drinking too much, the body releases cytokines, a protein intended to help you recover from toxins in your system. This release of cytokines can heighten the effects of your hangover until CBD comes to the hangover rescue and calms down your immune response. 

What to Look for When Considering CBD

Full-spectrum and higher dosage

Full-spectrum CBD includes all the naturally available compounds in the cannabis plant. With less than 0.3% THC, there are no psychedelic effects from taking full-spectrum CBD, but the interaction with the THC component makes it more effective than other types of CBD oil. 

Additionally, CBD oils are almost always sold with a carrier (like hemp seed oil) to boost bioavailability, meaning that some elixirs will have higher concentrations than others. Our tip? Seek out CBD with at least 1,000mg; our Elite Elixir offers an impressive 1,500mg of full-spectrum CBD oil, helping deliver powerful results for your hangover. 

All-natural and pesticide-free

When dealing with a hangover, the last thing you should do is put more junk into your system. Organically grown CBD is extracted from hemp plants grown using a specific farming method without the toxins and chemicals that non-organic CBD contains. In turn, you'll sidestepping ingesting chemical fertilizers, weed killers, and growth hormones that other farms may use. 

USDA Certified Organic CBD farming methods undergo a series of testing and a certification process, meaning the CBD you use is natural and safe. What's more, reputable brands like Botanika Life should publish third-party lab results of their products that further confirm the pesticide-free nature of their CBD.  

It should only contain two ingredients

Organic CBD oil and carrier oil are the only two ingredients necessary for an effective CBD hangover. Any other additives can take away the potency of the product. Purchasing CBD from a reputable company with a history of high-quality products is critical for achieving the best results. 

Methods to Use CBD to Help Alleviate Hangovers

Sublingual application

Administering CBD under your tongue is the best method for a hangover cure. Putting CBD oil under your tongue and holding it for approximately one minute before swallowing bypasses your digestive system with results felt as quickly as 15 minutes (though it may take longer). This method creates higher bioavailability, where your body absorbs the maximum amount of CBD into the bloodstream compared to other methods. 

CBD Smoothies

Smoothies with CBD are not likely to 100% cure a hangover, but they may help reduce morning-after symptoms. Adding CBD to a nourishing smoothie with other hangover-combatting ingredients can help with headaches and nausea. Need inspiration? Try coconut water, fruits, and vegetables can provide much-needed electrolytes that rehydrate your body after drinking too much. 

Adding CBD to your morning coffee

Like alcohol, caffeine is a diuretic that dehydrates your body, leading to hangover symptoms. That being said, a cup of coffee or tea can help open blood vessels, relieve headaches, and boost your energy. Just don't have excessive caffeine, which can add to your dehydration. Adding CBD to your morning coffee can help your hangover cure by balancing out your physical and emotional stress after having one too many drinks. 

FAQs About Using CBD for Hangovers

Can you drink with CBD?

It is generally safe to mix CBD and alcohol, as long as it’s done in moderation. It is important not to do this in excess, as you could harm your liver. The effects of both CBD and alcohol may become amplified when mixed, such as drowsiness or impaired coordination. Alcohol is a toxin, so it’s essential to be careful when combining it with any other substance. 

Will using CBD prior to drinking help minimize hangovers?

There is no proof that taking CBD before drinking will help with hangovers, but each person is different in terms of what works for them. Just like taking CBD with alcohol, it is possible that taking CBD before drinking could increase the effects of alcohol, causing a person to feel drunk or impaired faster. 

Can you combine CBD with OTC anti-inflammatory pills?

While taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (like Advil or Motrin) alongside CBD is common, it’s not advisable, as further detailed in CBD & Ibuprofen - Anti-Inflammatory Comparison & FAQ. It is always a good idea to consult with your doctor if you plan to combine CBD with other medications. 

Will CBD make you drowsy? 

Taking CBD for your hangover should not cause drowsiness. CBD oil is known for elevating your mood, boosting energy, and increasing concentration. Each person responds differently, so if, for some reason, it makes you feel a little groggy, alter your dosage to find the best fit for your personal needs.

How long does it take for CBD to alleviate hangover symptoms?

Taking CBD under your tongue for a hangover can provide positive effects in as little as 15 minutes, though it could take longer. If you choose to ingest CBD, you can expect to see results in approximately 45 minutes to two hours.  

Other Natural Remedies for Hangovers

Don’t neglect hydration 

CBD can’t counteract dehydration, which is the main contributor to hangovers. When a hangover hits you, one of the best things you can do is to start drinking water and electrolyte drinks. One strategy to ward off hangover symptoms is ensuring you stay well-hydrated while consuming alcohol.

Suppress nausea by using herbal tea 

A centuries-old natural remedy for a hangover involves soothing an unhappy belly with ginger, green tea, or chamomile tea. These herbs contain anti-nausea properties that can suppress nausea and help mediate hangover symptoms.

Embrace carbs to help energize and stabilize sugar

The first meal during a morning hangover can make or break your day. To calm your stomach and help reduce other hangover symptoms, eat a breakfast containing a balance of carbs, protein, and fat to help stabilize your blood sugar. 

Replenish lost vitamins

The loss of key nutrients like Vitamin C, B12, and potassium is a significant factor in causing hangover symptoms. Replenishing these vitamins can help with a natural hangover cure.

Foods you may want to have ready if you anticipate a night of partying:

Keeping these items on hand can help combat hangover symptoms. Foods and drinks high in electrolytes, omega vitamins to decrease inflammation, and starchy foods to help with an upset stomach or headache will prepare you for the morning after too many drinks. 

• Blueberries
• Bananas
• Eggs
• Oats or crackers
• Coconut water

Myths About Hangover Home Remedies

Eating greasy food post-alcohol has no known benefits. Although this is a popular choice for a hangover, greasy foods can cause further irritation to the stomach and affect how your body metabolizes alcohol. 

“Hair of the dog” does not help hangovers. If you aren’t familiar with this term, it refers to having more alcohol to combat your hangover symptoms. This will only further dehydrate you and worsen your hangover symptoms. 

Drinking with OTC painkillers will not help keep hangovers at bay. This is not only a myth but can also be dangerous. Depending on what type of painkillers you take, if you exceed safe limits, it will just add to the toxicity level of your liver when combined with alcohol. 

Another common myth is that alcohol can help you sleep. Although you may fall asleep more quickly after drinking, alcohol disrupts your deep sleep cycle, causing you to feel groggy and tired. Instead, try our CBD sleep spray which combines CBD, magnesium, GABA, and melatonin, none of which contribute to that pesky hangover. 

By Emily Wegener

With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.