Key takeaways:
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CBD is a type of cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant.
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It won’t get you high and isn’t addictive.
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Some people use CBD for hangover symptoms, including anxiety, headaches, stomach upsets, nausea and vomiting.
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Using CBD for hangover relief is generally considered safe, but if you still have alcohol in your system, it may cause you to feel excessively sleepy.
What is a hangover, exactly?
A hangover is a group of symptoms experienced the day after heavy alcohol consumption, including nausea, vomiting, dehydration, headache, upset stomach, fatigue and dizziness.
Drinking alcohol can also cause short-term memory loss that, along with risky behaviour and regret, can lead to hangover anxiety, known colloquially as hangxiety.
Hangover symptoms are caused by a combination of dehydration (alcohol is a diuretic and makes us pass more urine), electrolyte imbalance (caused by dehydration and excessive urination), disturbed sleep and inflammation caused by alcohol. Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms.
Plus, when we drink alcohol, the body breaks it down and creates a chemical called acetaldehyde, which can cause side effects including inflammation, nausea, increased pulse rate and sweating.
How alcohol affects your endocannabinoid system
The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors that runs from the brain throughout the body, maintaining balance, or homeostasis. The ECS regulates everything from mood, sleep patterns and appetite, to how we manage stress and chronic pain.
The ECS was only recently discovered, in the 1990s, and is the subject of many research projects. To date, not many studies have been carried out on the effects of drinking alcohol on the ECS. But it’s thought that initially, alcohol increases the endocannabinoids in the brain that signal pleasure and reduce anxiety. We might recognise this feeling after one or two drinks.
However, over time, long-term alcohol consumption depletes these endocannabinoids and causes the ECS to become deregulated. It’s thought that hangover anxiety and depression could be linked to this reduction in feel-good endocannabinoids.
How CBD works in the body
The body naturally produces chemicals called endocannabinoids that interact with receptors of the body’s endocannabinoid system. These endocannabinoids instruct the ECS to take action, for example, to release the hormones that trigger hunger or sleepiness.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis plant grown from seeds bred to contain little or no THC. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound that’s responsible for the psychoactive and addictive properties of cannabis. CBD won’t get you high, and CBD products sold in the UK have to contain less than 0.2% THC. Legal CBD products aren’t psychoactive or addictive.
Research suggests that CBD, a type of cannabinoid, can work similarly to naturally occurring endocannabinoids and interact with the receptors of the ECS. Exactly how CBD can help support the work of the ECS is still unclear. But research continues.
Can CBD help with a hangover?
There is no direct evidence that if we take CBD, it will completely cure or prevent a hangover after a night of drinking but there are studies that suggest CBD can help reduce some of the individual symptoms of a hangover.
Anxiety
Studies suggest that CBD can be effective for managing anxiety. It’s thought that it does this by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, helping us relax and feel calm.
Fatigue
After a night of drinking, it might feel like we fall into a deep sleep, but this sleep isn’t necessarily good quality, restorative sleep. In the same way that CBD may help with anxiety, it may also promote better sleep by inducing feelings of relaxation and calm.
Nausea
Studies into the benefits of using CBD to manage nausea and vomiting mostly focus on the benefits for cancer patients struggling due to the side effects of their chemotherapy medications.
So far, the results seem positive, as demonstrated by a 2011 review that found that “CBD may be effective clinically for treating both nausea and vomiting produced by chemotherapy”.
It may, therefore, be concluded that CBD could have the same effect on nausea and vomiting caused by alcohol and a hangover.
Headaches
There are currently no studies that have looked specifically at the benefits of CBD for headaches as a hangover symptom.
Alcohol is dehydrating, and a headache after a night of drinking is usually caused by dehydration. Drink plenty of water the next day and take over-the-counter pain relief medication if you have a lingering headache.
Dehydration
CBD drinks made with sparkling water and beneficial botanicals will provide much-needed hydration that can help alleviate hangover symptoms, such as a headache and a sensitive stomach.
Inflammation
When we drink alcohol, levels of inflammatory chemicals rise in the blood and liver. Preclinical studies, mostly on animals, suggest that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties by modulating pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that can contribute to hangover symptoms.
Could CBD be bad for a hangover?
It’s possible that using CBD the day after drinking alcohol could make your symptoms worse. Different people react differently to CBD, and for some people, it makes them feel nauseous, especially at a higher dose or if they’re new to it.
If you know that CBD makes you feel nauseous or if hangovers make you feel particularly sick, then it’s best to avoid using CBD for hangover symptoms.
Can you safely take CBD after drinking?
To date, there’s no conclusive evidence either way that mixing CBD and alcohol is dangerous. Few human and animal studies into the effects of CBD and alcohol exist, and of the animal studies that do, none have been conducted using large amounts of alcohol or high doses of CBD.
What is known is that alcohol makes us feel relaxed and uninhibited, and CBD may reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Studies suggest that combining the two may increase the effects of both.
The morning after a night of drinking heavily could mean that alcohol is still present in your system.
Using CBD may help alleviate hangover symptoms, but could also cause a very sleepy, almost sedative effect. For this reason, it’s worth trying CBD for hangover symptoms on a day when you have nothing else planned to see how it works for you.
Good CBD products to try
CBD is available in a variety of products, including:
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CBD oils
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CBD gummies
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CBD drinks
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CBD vapes
Which type of CBD product works best for you will depend on your personal preferences.
CBD oil has more of a direct effect than using CBD gummies and drinks because it’s used under the tongue, where it enters the bloodstream directly.
CBD gummies and drinks need to enter the digestive system first.
CBD product quality checklist
Whichever CBD product you decide on, always choose a high-quality product and look out for brands that demonstrate the following:
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Third-party lab tested - Third-party testing is rigorous, and importantly, independent. Testing is important to ensure the CBD that a brand is using is pure and of the strength it claims to be.
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Clear CBD strength & legal THC level - To dose your CBD products properly, you need to know how much CBD is in the product you’re using. Also, in the UK, legal CBD products must contain less than 0.2% THC or no THC at all.
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Organic, pesticide-free hemp - If the hemp used to create CBD products has been grown organically, it won't contain pesticides or other chemicals.
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CO₂ or clean extraction method - Clean extraction methods, including CO₂ extraction, result in a purer, higher-quality product.
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Transparent ingredients & batch info - One batch of CBD can differ in purity from another, so brands must be clear about their ingredients and the testing of each batch.
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GMP-certified production - GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice and is a certification given to brands with safe, pure and effective products.
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Trusted brand reputation - Check out a brand’s reputation by using third-party review sites and looking at their social media. How many followers do they have, and are they regularly attracting interactions (likes, shares, comments) on their posts?
Dosage guidelines for CBD
There is no recommended ideal dose of CBD oil or other CBD products for hangover relief. If you’re new to using CBD, it’s recommended that you start on a low dose of 20 to 25 mg.
If you’re used to using CBD, stick to your usual dose. Keep in mind that combining alcohol (that might still be in your system) and CBD might cause you to feel drowsy. Taking a lower dose of CBD may help prevent this.
Scientific research on CBD for hangovers
To date, there isn’t much research into the benefits of CBD as a hangover remedy, and what studies there are tend to be on animals and with low levels of alcohol and CBD. This is because of the ethics of giving human or animal subjects high levels of alcohol.
That said, some studies do exist on the separate symptoms of a hangover and how CBD can help, such as headaches, hangover anxiety, inflammation, nausea and vomiting, as mentioned in the sections above.
As CBD becomes increasingly popular and commonplace, more studies will be conducted to help confirm or rule out CBD as a hangover cure.
Legal considerations in the UK
In the UK, CBD products are legal if they contain less than 0.2% THC, and you can drive after taking CBD, as it won’t get you high.
It’s illegal to drive if you have THC from cannabis in your system. CBD with trace levels of THC (less than 0.2%) is unlikely to show up on a drug test, but it’s worth remembering that using CBD with trace levels of THC regularly may cause THC to build up in your system that might then become detectable.
To avoid this, choose CBD products made from CBD isolate, which contains zero THC. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products contain trace levels of THC.
Alternative ways to help with a hangover
There are many, many hangover cures to help reduce the after effects of a heavy night of drinking. Most people will have their own tried and tested next-day hangover remedy, from a carb-fuelled breakfast and comfort food to Alka Seltzer and hair of the dog.
But essentially, a hangover responds best to hydration (try to drink a large glass of water before you go to bed and then throughout the next day) and rest. The NHS recommends eating easily digestible foods such as toast and taking paracetamol if you have a headache.
Staying safe when drinking alcohol
Enjoying alcohol is about having fun, but also about staying safe both from the dangers of alcohol poisoning (see below) and from putting yourself into a dangerous or vulnerable position.
Drink water or another soft drink throughout the evening, avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, try not to mix drinks too much and know your limits.
When to seek medical advice
Seriously excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol poisoning and can be very dangerous. If you, or someone you’re with, is showing the following signs (that are worse than when someone is drunk or tipsy), either on the day of drinking alcohol or the next day, seek emergency medical help by calling 999:
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Confusion or delriouslness
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Unconsiouness
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Slurred speech
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Inability to stand or walk
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Very weak or shallow breathing
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Seizures (fitting)
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Unresponsivemenss
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Uncontrollable vomiting
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Cold, pale, sweaty or clammy skin
More information
The NHS has good advice on the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Healthine has more on how using CBD can help alleviate hangover symptoms.
FAQs
Can CBD cure a hangover
CBD, or anything else, can’t treat, cure or prevent a hangover or prevent any disease relating to drinking alcohol. But CBD may help alleviate hangover symptoms the next day, such as a headache, hangover anxiety, nausea and vomiting.
How much CBD should I take for hangover symptoms?
There is no recommended dose of CBD for hangover relief. It’s recommended that you start on a low dose of 20 mg to 25 mg, especially if you’re new to using CBD or you think you may still have alcohol in your system.
What form of CBD is best for hangovers?
There is no best form of CBD for hangovers; it’s down to personal preference. CBD oils may work more quickly to help alleviate hangover symptoms as they’re designed to be used under the tongue, where they enter the bloodstream directly. CBD gummies and CBD drinks need to enter the digestive system first.
References
Raypole, C. (2025b, April 28). A simple guide to the endocannabinoid system. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system#how-it-works
Capodice, J. L., & Kaplan, S. A. (2021b). The endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and cannabidiol: Implications in urology and men’s health. Current Urology, 15(2), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1097/cu9.0000000000000023
Huestis, M. A., Solimini, R., Pichini, S., Pacifici, R., Carlier, J., & Busardò, F. P. (2019b). Cannabidiol adverse effects and toxicity. Current Neuropharmacology, 17(10), 974–989. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x17666190603171901
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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