By Luke Sumpter


Alcohol is truly a double-edged sword. On one hand, a couple of drinks can put us in the mood to socialise and engage in some interesting conversations. On the other hand, going overboard and drinking too much can lead to days of sickness and suffering when the party ends. The severity of hangovers varies from person to person; some brush it off and head out for round two, whereas others become bed-bound with headaches and nausea.

But people that drink regularly are often prepared for what awaits the following day. They have a strategy at the ready to beat back the dreaded symptoms as best they can. While some reach for more booze in the morning (this is unthinkable for many), others swear by drinking a few pints of water before hitting the hay.

In this article, we'll cover the potential relationship between CBD and hangovers. After digging into the science of hangovers, we’ll look at what the research says regarding CBD and certain hangover symptoms.

What Is a Hangover?

You had a great night. You caught up with friends you hadn’t seen in a while, and conversation flowed effortlessly. After hitting the sack at 2 am, you wake up strangely early at 8 am with a throbbing headache and a dry mouth in a spinning room. Those, my friend, are the symptoms of a hangover. But what causes them in the first place, besides necking too much booze?

Well, the excessive consumption of alcohol leads to the suppression of vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone tasked with instructing the kidneys to hold on to water. Because alcohol inhibits the function of this molecule, the body loses excess fluids and becomes dehydrated. Beyond dehydration, alcohol affects the body in myriad unpleasant ways.

As the liver breaks down alcohol, it converts it into acetaldehyde[1], a toxic byproduct that sparks inflammation in the brain, liver, and other organs. But it’s not just alcohol that leads to the harsh feelings of a hangover. Other compounds found in alcoholic drinks, such as congeners and sulfites, are known to worsen hangover symptoms and underpin headaches.

  • What Are the Symptoms of a Hangover?

People experience different hangover symptoms based on the amount they drank the night before, and the steps they took to mitigate the symptoms before going to bed. Overall, the symptoms of a hangover include:

Fatigue and weakness Nausea and vomiting
Stomach pain Dizziness
Irritability Sweating
Elevated blood pressure Anxiety
Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Are Hangovers Dangerous?

Have you ever had a hangover so severe that you felt close to death? You know, those events where your heartbeat feels weak, you can’t stomach food, and the room won’t stop spinning? While these kinds of hangovers feel horrific, they aren’t a cause of death, at least not in isolation.

The sensations of a hangover begin to creep in when blood alcohol levels drop, meaning you have to deal with the fallout of your bad decision as the body starts to purge it out. However, alcohol poisoning can kill (it results in around six deaths each day[2] in the United States), but involves a constant increase of alcohol in the bloodstream to the point of seizures, confusion, and unconsciousness.

  • Simple Steps to Ease a Hangover

If you drink regularly, you’ve probably drawn up a customised battle plan to help offset the effects of a good night out. Everyone has a slightly different approach, but each strategy likely includes at least one of the methods listed below.

1. Drink Fluids

As stated, excess alcohol messes with our biochemistry and forces the body to expel water it would otherwise hold on to. Therefore, it makes sense to try and replace some of those precious fluids while enduring the throes of a hangover. Drinking plenty of water can help to counter the effects of dehydration and improve your symptoms. Additionally, grab a sports drink or slice of watermelon to get some electrolytes into your body.

Simple Steps to Ease a Hangover

2. Hair of the Dog

At first, this solution seems nothing less than barbaric. The term “hair of the dog” derives from the longer phrase “hair of the dog that bit you”. This saying hints that the poison might also work as the remedy—at the correct dose.

But can drinking another pint or slurping down a Bloody Mary really improve hangover symptoms? As we mentioned above, symptoms kick in when blood alcohol levels decrease, and climax when levels reach zero. Therefore, adding some more alcohol into the mix could help your levels descend more slowly. Drinking also leads to an increase of endorphins (happy chemicals) in the brain. If you can stomach another drink, it might help to perk you up and deal with the situation better.

Simple Steps to Ease a Hangover

3. Take Some Vitamins

Not much research backs up the use of vitamins and supplements to derail hangovers. However, a study[3] (with small sample size) published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine looked at what subjects ate before drinking. It turns out that those that consumed more B vitamins and zinc experienced less brutal hangovers the following day.

Simple Steps to Ease a Hangover

4. Eat a Hearty Breakfast

The body burns through a lot of nutrients while working hard to metabolise and eliminate alcohol. A hearty breakfast can help to replenish vitamins and minerals while supplying you with enough carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar and give you some much-needed energy. Anything from a fry-up to a bowl of oats and some fruit should do the trick.

Simple Steps to Ease a Hangover

Does CBD Affect Hangovers?

So, where does CBD fit into the picture? Put simply, we don’t know; there’s no data from clinical trials to draw from. However, researchers are finding out a lot more about how CBD affects the body, and early studies offer some clues as to whether the cannabinoid deserves further study in the realm of hangovers.

  • What Is the Endocannabinoid System and How Is It Related to Hangovers?

To understand how CBD operates in the body, it helps to develop a basic understanding of the endocannabinoid system, otherwise known as the ECS. Deemed the "universal regulator" of the human body, this system helps to keep other biological systems in balance, from the nervous system to the immune system. Overall, the ECS consists of three key components: receptors, endocannabinoids (signalling molecules), and enzymes that build up and break down endocannabinoids.

Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are able to interface with the ECS because they bear a structural resemblance to the endocannabinoids our bodies make. Whereas THC binds to the primary receptors of this system, CBD doesn’t have much affinity for them. Instead, it binds to peripheral sites and alters endocannabinoid levels by inhibiting certain enzymes.

Interestingly, alcohol also has an impact on the ECS. Animal research shows that short-term alcohol use reduces endocannabinoid levels[4] in the brain. Ongoing studies are exploring if CBD might work to boost endocannabinoid levels[5] by stopping enzymes from breaking them down. While human trials are needed to see if CBD affects hangovers, early research has pitched the cannabinoid in models of disease that overlap with some hangover symptoms.

  • The Relationship Between CBD and Headache/Migraine

An increasingly large body of evidence has linked the ECS to cases of migraine and headache. The theory of clinical endocannabinoid deficiency also implicates low levels of endocannabinoids in these conditions. As stated above, researchers are trying to figure out if CBD helps to boost endocannabinoid levels in the brain. If it manages to do so, this could theoretically form the basis of future research in the arena of alcohol-induced headaches.

  • The Relationship Between CBD and Inflammation

Alcohol drives inflammation in the body, and inflammation plays a key role in hangovers. This physiological cascade then results in feelings of fatigue and physical pain. Many ongoing studies are determining if and how CBD influences the inflammatory response. Large scientific reviews[6] have assessed if CBD and its analogues affect inflammation, and more relevant studies have looked to see if CBD manages to affect inflammation[7] in cases of alcohol-induced brain and liver damage.

  • The Relationship Between CBD and Nausea/Vomiting

Of all hangover symptoms, constant nausea ranks as one of the worst. Sometimes, every twist and turn can make you feel queasy, making simply getting out of bed an insufferable challenge. So, is CBD of any relevance in this regard? Again, there’s not enough data to give a definitive answer.

However, ongoing studies are testing Sativex, an oral spray containing equal parts THC and CBD, in models of nausea and vomiting[8]. Other studies are testing CBD, CBDA, and CBDA methyl ester in these conditions[9].

How Is CBD Consumed?

Although there’s a lack of research, some people still reach for CBD the morning after a night of heavy drinking. But what are the best ways to consume cannabinoids? Well, if you’re planning to take it for this purpose, you have plenty of choices. Check out the most popular ways to take CBD below.

  • Inhalation

Smoking or vaping CBD rapidly introduces the cannabinoid into the bloodstream. Some users love the ritual of loading up joints and vapes with CBD flowers and concentrates. While vaping bypasses combustion (burning), both methods of inhalation come with their own risks.

How Is CBD Consumed?
  • Oral

The oral route sends CBD through first-pass metabolism. The cannabinoid has to endure the throes of digestion and liver metabolism, and very little makes its way into the blood. Plus, if you have no appetite when hungover, you probably won’t enjoy scoffing down CBD-infused snacks.

How Is CBD Consumed?
  • Sublingual

Sublingual administration refers to dropping CBD oil under the tongue and leaving it in place for around a minute. This allows the cannabinoid to diffuse across a thin layer of tissue directly into the bloodstream. This route bypasses the digestive system and doesn’t involve inhaling anything. If you can’t stomach the taste, drop a mint or piece of candy into your mouth at the same time.

How Is CBD Consumed?

Does CBD Cause Its Own Hangover?

No. Cannabidiol doesn’t produce an effect anywhere close to that of excess alcohol. However, it does produce side effects in some people. If you happen to experience strong side effects from the cannabinoid, it could potentially make your hangover experience more unpleasant.

  • Side Effects of CBD

Potential side effects of CBD include:

Dry mouth Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness Drowsiness
Diarrhoea Fatigue
Drug interactions

CBD and Alcoholism: Examining the Relationship

Outside of the world of hangovers, researchers are currently testing CBD in different forms of addiction, including alcoholism. A 2019 review published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology looked at a collection of studies that tested CBD in models of alcohol use disorder[10]. Further research has set out to explore the potential of the cannabinoid when it comes to alcohol withdrawal.

The legality of CBD differs from country to country. In the United Kingdom, for example, CBD products, such as oils, are legal considering they contain no trace of THC[11]. However, CBD products in Switzerland can contain THC quantities below a 1% threshold. We highly recommend checking the legal status of CBD in your country before purchasing products.

Should You Take CBD When Hungover?

To put it simply: it’s entirely up to you. There’s no solid clinical evidence that CBD could help to reduce the symptoms of your hangover. However, early preclinical evidence does offer clues as to what future studies might determine. If you think CBD can help take the edge off, and you can stomach it, then go ahead and see if it works for you.

External Resources:
  1. Hangovers | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) https://www.niaaa.nih.gov
  2. Alcohol Poisoning Deaths | VitalSigns | CDC https://www.cdc.gov
  3. Dietary Nutrient Intake, Alcohol Metabolism, and Hangover Severity - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Short-term exposure to alcohol in rats affects brain levels of anandamide, other n-acylethanolamines and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol - pmc https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation https://www.sciencedirect.com
  7. Frontiers | Therapeutic Prospects of Cannabidiol for Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-Related Damages on the Liver and the Brain | Pharmacology https://www.frontiersin.org
  8. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol, Cannabidiolic Acid, and Cannabidiolic Acid Methyl Ester as Treatments for Nausea and Vomiting https://www.liebertpub.com
  10. Therapeutic Prospects of Cannabidiol for Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-Related Damages on the Liver and the Brain - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Drug Licensing Factsheet- Cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: