Drinks with cannabis - Fashion trend or real health benefits

What is known about CBD drinks

CBD beverages can include flavored teas, coffees, lemonades, sports drinks, and sodas. Usually, manufacturers add cannabidiol to the drink using a water-oil emulsion. In the body, it is absorbed through the intestines. The label always indicates the CBD content of the product.

Marketers claim that CBD products help reduce anxiety or improve muscle and joint function during physical activity. However, there is currently a lack of convincing scientific evidence to support these claimed properties of CBD.

Benefits of CBD drinks: what do studies show

Currently in the United States, the only CBD-based drug with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is Epidiolex, which is used to treat epilepsy. For other drugs, studies either provide weak evidence or demonstrate effects that are not pronounced and reliable enough to benefit people taking them for certain conditions.

Research on the long-term effects of cannabidiol is ongoing and shows some promise for treating symptoms such as alcohol or drug dependence, anxiety, insomnia, and persistent pain.

So, at the moment, according to research, CBD drinks do not have much of the promised health effects that people expect when they consume them. However, some may contain other potentially beneficial ingredients (which are also present in drinks without cannabidiol), such as added electrolytes or beneficial compounds found in tea and coffee.

Whether cannabidiol provides additional benefits and how they differ depending on other ingredients and sugar content is not yet clear. However, a 2017 study claims that the acidity of drinks can reduce the amount of CBD compared to what is listed on the package.

Potential risks of CBD drinks: what you need to know

Consuming cannabidiol can cause some side effects, especially in high doses. These include: dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and, at particularly high doses, liver damage.

CBD drinks and other edibles containing such cannabis alkaloids often have unreliable dosage information. A study conducted in 2023 showed that the cannabidiol content of drinks often differs from the amount indicated on the product labeling. The researchers concluded that CBD drinks deviate from the advertised content more than oils.

Cannabidiol drinks often also contain added sugar and flavorings. Oils usually have less sugar and provide a more reliable dose of CBD.

You should consult your doctor before consuming CBD drinks. After all, cannabidiol can interact with medications or dietary supplements you take.

How to choose a CBD drink: useful tips

If you still want to try a drink with cannabidiol, despite the limited evidence in favor of its use, pay attention to the following details:

• Make sure the drink is legal, contains less than 0.3% THC, or complies with state regulations.
• Look for test results from an external, independent laboratory confirming that the beverage is free of heavy metals, microbes, mold, and pesticides.
• Check the ingredient list for sugars, additives, and flavors, and pay attention to those that may cause allergies or intolerances. It is better to choose options with low sugar content.
• Consider the CBD content, manufacturer's reputation, cost, online reviews, and your taste preferences.

So, while cannabidiol advocates claim that CBD drinks can help relieve anxiety or reduce pain and inflammation, there is currently insufficient evidence to support such benefits. In addition, CBD drinks are often high in sugar and may not contain the claimed cannabidiol content.

For those looking to explore the potential benefits of cannabidiol, oils may be safer and more effective forms. Consult your doctor before taking any cannabidiol products.

Read also that a popular sugar substitute may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.