Key Takeaways:
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CBD drinks are often non-alcoholic soft drinks, but CBD can also be mixed with alcohol in moderation.
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They’re a simple way to consume CBD at the same dose each day, and some, such as sparkling water infused with CBD, also contain added vitamins and botanicals.
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CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the body’s internal balance system.
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CBD-infused drinks are safe for most people and generally contain a low dose of CBD that’s unlikely to cause any side effects.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, drinks are a popular and easy way of taking CBD daily, and they may have a calming, relaxing effect.
CBD is extracted from hemp, a low-THC variety of Cannabis sativa. It is the same plant species that produces cannabis containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), just grown as a different variety.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating. It won't get you high and it isn't addictive. Two separate rules govern the CBD drinks you can buy in the UK.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) treats CBD as a novel food, so a product has to sit on the FSA's public list to be sold legally in England and Wales. And because THC is a controlled substance, the finished drink has to meet the exempt product definition in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, which the Home Office reads as no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container.
Consuming CBD drinks won’t get you high, but as well as potential calming effects, what do CBD drinks do? Read on to find out.
What are CBD drinks?
CBD drinks usually contain CBD at a relatively low dosage of around 10 mg. They’re an easy way to take CBD on a daily basis and on the go, without having to worry about measuring out your dose as you might with CBD oil.
Common formats
CBD drinks are usually flavoured and sparkling waters and other soft drinks infused with CBD. Teas, coffees, and hot chocolates containing CBD are also available.
CBD-infused drinks often come in pre-dosed, ready-made cans in shops and online, as well as in cafes and coffee shops. They can also be made at home by mixing CBD oil with juices and smoothies.
There are three types of CBD that can be found in drinks and other CBD products: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds found in the hemp plant, including THC (at very low, or trace, concentrations). It also contains plant compounds called flavonoids and terpenes.
Flavonoids give plants their vibrant colours and have antioxidant properties, while terpenes are the essential oils that give plants their distinctive aromas and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds found in the hemp plant, including flavonoids and terpenes, but has had the THC removed.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and contains pure CBD with no other compounds.
Using CBD shouldn't normally cause you to fail a drug test, because drug tests look for THC rather than CBD. But if you use full-spectrum products regularly, small amounts of THC can accumulate, and there is a chance it shows up on a test.
That is true even of a legal UK product, which contains no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container. Therefore, if you’re subject to regular drug testing, choose CBD products made using CBD isolate, such as Goodrays products, to ensure you don’t have any THC in your system.
How do CBD drinks work in the body?
To feel the effects of CBD, it must enter the bloodstream. CBD oil, which is designed to be used under the tongue, enters the bloodstream straight away.
CBD drinks, gummies and other edibles need to pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, it’s thought that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system explained
The ECS is a network of receptors that runs throughout the body and is responsible for homeostasis, or balance. The ECS is being extensively studied, having only been discovered in the 1990s, but it’s thought to help regulate everything from mood, appetite and sleep patterns to immunity and pain perception.
The body naturally produces chemicals called endocannabinoids that interact with the receptors of the ECS, signalling that action is needed. This action might involve releasing a hormone to boost the mood or signal that we’re hungry or tired. The problem is that endocannabinoids deplete over time and lose their effect.
CBD is a type of cannabinoid that can also interact with the receptors of the ECS, either by mimicking endocannabinoids or preventing their breakdown. Studies suggest that CBD may help relax and calm a racing mind, balance the mood, and promote better sleep.
Absorption and bioavailability
CBD is fat-soluble, so taking it with a meal or snack rich in healthy fats (such as oily fish, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, and seeds) helps with its absorption.
Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD that enters the bloodstream. CBD oil has a higher bioavailability than CBD drinks, which bypass the digestive system.
However, CBD oil can be difficult to dose, whereas CBD drinks come pre-dosed.
What does a CBD drink feel like?
We go into more detail on the wellness benefits of CBD drinks below, but generally, people report feeling calmer and more relaxed when using CBD.
Will a CBD drink get you high?
Unlike cannabis products that contain THC, CBD products, including drinks, won’t get you high. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a version of the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa, bred to contain very low, trace levels of THC.
In the UK, CBD products are subject to the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Novel Foods Regulations, which state that CBD products must contain 1mg or less THC content per container of product. CBD isn’t a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA 1971).
But cannabis is a controlled drug (Class B), and because CBD is extracted from a strain of the cannabis plant (hemp), CBD products must adhere to this THC limit to be sold legally in the UK.
To ensure you’re buying CBD products legally and safely, only ever buy from reputable brands that are third-party tested for purity by ISO/IEC 17025 standardised laboratories (the international standard for laboratory competence) and have a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). These standards and lab reports are usually found on a brand’s website.
Potential benefits of CBD drinks
There are a number of potential benefits to CBD drinks:
- Calm and stress support - This is one of the more studied benefits of CBD. A literature review in 2020 found that regular CBD use may help reduce symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Sleep quality - Sleep is one of the most commonly reported reasons people use CBD. A 2019 case series found sleep scores improved for the majority of patients in the first month, though the effect was less consistent over time than the anxiety result. Users often describe falling asleep more easily and waking less. Larger, controlled trials are still needed before anyone can say how CBD compares with established sleep aids.
- Exercise recovery and inflammation - The muscle pain we experience after exercise is partly due to inflammation. CBD is believed to have some anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce this pain and soreness. In addition, it’s thought that CBD interacts with the ECS to influence how the body responds to muscle tension after exercise.
- Focus and mental clarity - In the same way that CBD may help support better mental health by binding to ECS receptors and influencing serotonin, it may also support better mental clarity.
Do CBD drinks actually work? What the research says
It’s well documented that using CBD may have a calming, relaxing effect on the body, with anecdotal evidence available in forums and online discussions. But what about the science? How does CBD work to relax the mind?
Studies suggest that CBD works by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is often called the 'happy hormone' for its role in mood regulation. CBD is thought to either boost serotonin levels or prevent its breakdown, and studies continue to investigate its exact mechanism.
How long do CBD drinks take to kick in?
Because CBD drinks need to pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream, they typically take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to have an effect.
You might feel the effects of CBD at the lower end of the range, so within 30 minutes when using CBD in a drink, rather than, for example, CBD gummies, as the gut needs to do less work to metabolise (break down) a drink than a solid food.
How long do the effects last?
Everyone is different, and how long you’ll feel the effects of CBD drinks depends on your body composition and metabolism. However, you can expect the effects of CBD drinks to last between 2 and 6 hours.
Are CBD drinks safe?
Yes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a report in 2017, “in its pure state, cannabidiol does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm”.
Side effects from CBD are uncommon, and if you do experience them, they’re likely to be mild and include dizziness, dry mouth, decreased appetite and diarrhoea. You can minimise your chance of experiencing side effects by consuming a low dose of CBD. In terms of CBD-infused drinks, this means drinking no more than one a day.
CBD Drinks with Alcohol
Using CBD with alcohol is considered safe in moderation. You can make your own CBD-infused cocktails, and some bars now offer professionally mixed CBD cocktails.
More Information
For more on the potential effects of CBD drinks and other CBD products, this article goes into more detail on 15 different benefits of using CBD on a regular basis. This Forbes article discusses additional benefits, while this Healthline article examines things from a scientific perspective.
FAQs
Can you drink CBD drinks every day?
Yes, it’s safe to drink a CBD drink each day. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends consuming no more than 10 mg of CBD per day (this is a guide; you may consume more without experiencing any side effects). Each can of Goodrays CBD drink contains 10 mg of CBD.
Can you mix CBD drinks with caffeine or alcohol?
CBD-infused teas and coffees are becoming widely available, and their effects vary. CBD has a relaxing effect, and caffeine is a stimulant. Some people describe feeling more alert when they combine CBD and caffeine, with increased focus, while others say they feel relaxed and calm without the jitters caffeine can commonly cause. If you’re trying CBD and caffeine for the first time, start on a low dose and see how you feel.
Alcoholic drinks infused with CBD are also becoming popular and are considered safe to drink in moderation. Combining high doses of CBD with large quantities of alcohol can have a sedative effect and cause you to feel very sleepy.
Are CBD drinks addictive?
No, CBD doesn’t cause a high or have any psychoactive effects, and therefore, it isn’t addictive, no matter what form you consume it in.
Do CBD drinks help with hangovers?
There’s no evidence to prove that CBD helps cure or reduce the symptoms of a hangover. However, some people find that using CBD the day after drinking alcohol helps to reduce nausea, headaches and anxiety. Keep in mind that if you still have alcohol in your system from the night before, taking CBD may cause you to feel excessively sleepy.
Who should avoid CBD drinks?
CBD drinks and other CBD products are generally considered safe for most people. However, the FSA recommends that you should avoid using CBD if you’re:
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pregnant or breastfeeding
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under 18
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taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, blood thinners or drugs to manage thyroid or liver problems
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taking medications that make you feel drowsy, such as some antihistamines
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immunosuppressed or immunocompromised
If you’re in any doubt, speak to your GP before taking CBD.
References
Raypole, C. (2025, April 28). A simple guide to the endocannabinoid system. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system
Santos-Longhurst, A. (2023, March 14). How long does CBD stay in your system? Healthline. https://healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cbd-stay-in-your-system#duration
Bonel, V. K. (2025, April 25). What is a CBD drink and does it work? Little Rick UK. https://littlerick.co.uk/blogs/cannabinoids/what-is-a-cbd-drink-and-does-it-work
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or 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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