Are CBD drinks just a fad, or do they actually have therapeutic and recreational benefits?
Given that the cannabis and hemp drink market continues to grow, this question is still more relevant than ever.
Anecdotal evidence suggests CBD drinks are just as effective as any other type of CBD product, and research has shown CBD to have many therapeutic benefits.
In this article, we’ll explore the effects, side effects, and benefits of CBD drinks.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Anecdotal evidence suggests CBD drinks may promote mental and physical relaxation. Research has found CBD to have therapeutic potential for anxiety, sleep, pain, and other uses, and CBD drinks deliver these benefits as well as any other type of CBD product.
- The specific effects of CBD drinks vary depending on the amount and type of CBD used.
- CBD drinks are somewhere between CBD oil and CBD edibles in terms of bioavailability. This is because CBD drinks are made with nanoemulsion, a process that breaks CBD down into tiny particles, allowing it to circulate easily throughout your body.
No hangover, just relaxation. Discover our collection of lab-tested, high-strength, American-made CBD and THC drinks. Teas, sodas, seltzers, and more.
What Are CBD Drinks?
CBD drinks are simply drinks that have had cannabidiol (CBD) added to them. CBD is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp is a federally-legal variant of cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
CBD drinks come in many forms, including teas, sodas, seltzers, sparkling waters, and more.
By combining the familiar flavors of your favorite drinks with the benefits of hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD drinks have become a popular choice for both therapeutic and recreational use.
CBD drinks also serve as a healthier, hangover-free alternative to alcoholic drinks that are just as socially acceptable.
What Are the Effects of CBD Drinks?
CBD drinks aren’t psychoactive and won’t get you high. Instead, these beverages help you stay mentally and physically balanced. The effects of CBD drinks include feelings of calm and relaxation in both the mind and body, as well as feelings of mental clarity.
CBD itself doesn’t create many overt effects. Rather, most people describe the effects of this cannabinoid in terms of the negative sensations they don’t feel. CBD drinks may help take the edge off, which is what many people want when they’re socializing or trying to relax.
CBD drink effect onset & duration
Compared to other CBD products, CBD drinks tend to kick in more quickly and have a shorter effect duration.
CBD drinks kick in within 15-20 minutes, making them twice as fast-acting as edibles.
The effects of CBD drinks last for 4-6 hours (as opposed to 6-8 hours for edibles) because they’re metabolized more quickly by your body than many other types of products.
Other factors that influence CBD drink effects
Besides the standard effects of CBD, the effects of a particular beverage will vary depending on two factors:
- Whether the drink contains other cannabinoids in addition to CBD
- How many milligrams (mg) of CBD are in a given drink
CBD drinks with a lot of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will get you high since THC is psychoactive. CBD drinks with cannabigerol (CBG) may tend to be more uplifting.
CBD Drink Effects Based On Strength
The effects of a CBD drink are largely dependent on its potency. Here’s what you need to know about some of the most common potencies of CBD drinks:
15mg CBD Drink Effects
Drinks containing 10-15mg of CBD will render mild mental and physical effects. They’re great for supporting general wellness and relaxing while hanging out with friends.
25mg CBD Drink Effects
Drinks containing 25mg of CBD will render moderate mental and physical relaxation.
This potency is a good option if you’re using CBD drinks for therapeutic purposes and find that low-dose drinks aren’t strong enough.
30mg CBD Drink Effects
30mg CBD drinks are the next step up. These beverages provide a strong therapeutic dose, making them ideal for supporting physical and mental comfort without being so overpowering that they make you feel drowsy.
50mg CBD Drink Effects
Drinks with 50mg of CBD offer powerful relaxation for the mind and body. This strength of beverage is the best fit if you’re using CBD for therapeutic purposes that require much higher doses of CBD.
However, at a dose this strong, you may feel some drowsiness, so these drinks are best consumed in the evening.
Need to figure out how much CBD you should take? Check out our CBD dosage chart and guide.
CBD Drinks Side Effects
CBD drinks are safe and are generally well-tolerated in most people, however, CBD has the potential to cause the following side effects:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
To avoid feeling side effects, stick to lower-dose CBD drinks when you’re starting out (or split a higher-dose drink with a friend). This will ensure you get enough CBD to feel relaxed, but not so much that you feel the negative side effects.
What are the Benefits of CBD Drinks?
Compared to most CBD products, drinks are more commonly used recreationally, as an alcohol alternative or a social tonic.
However, research suggests CBD has therapeutic benefits in a variety of situations, and these benefits are as present in CBD drinks as in other types of products:
- Anxiety: Several studies, as well as anecdotal evidence, suggest that CBD has anxiolytic properties. In one 1993 study, participants were subjected to a public speaking test that was designed to increase their anxiety levels. Those who took CBD saw decreased levels of anxiety compared to those who didn’t [1].
- Pain: Research suggests CBD may have analgesic (pain-reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties [2]. In 2021, scientists conducted a survey of 253 CBD users to better understand how effective it is for pain. Overall, results were positive: participants reported that CBD helped their pain (59.0%) and allowed them to reduce their pain medications (67.6%) [3].
- Sleep: A 2017 research review found that CBD has therapeutic potential for insomnia [4]. CBD may directly promote mental relaxation, but its benefits for sleep are also due to its physically supportive effects.
- Epilepsy: CBD is FDA-approved to treat certain forms of epilepsy in the form of the prescription drug Epidiolex. Epidiolex clinical trials show that CBD may improve Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy most commonly found in children. Patients of this condition who took CBD only experienced half as many seizures as those who received a placebo [5].
- Addiction: There is a small body of research suggesting CBD may have therapeutic potential for people addicted to opioids, cocaine, and psychostimulant drugs, as well as for cannabis and tobacco addiction [6].
As you can tell, drinking a CBD beverage isn’t just fun — it’s a great way to support mental and physical health, and it has practical applications in your wellness routine.
How Do CBD Drinks Work?
CBD works by supporting your endocannabinoid system, a receptor system in your body that regulates your vital functions.
The function of the ECS is to keep your body and mind balanced. Introducing CBD to this system can help it do its job better; this is how CBD can address discomfort and restore balance.
Why CBD drinks are so effective
CBD drinks, in particular, are a highly effective delivery method for CBD. This is because CBD drinks are made such that the cannabinoids they contain are water-soluble, or able to dissolve in water.
As a result, the CBD contained in these beverages can be circulated throughout your body more easily than the CBD you’d get from an edible or oil.
This means that a greater percentage of the CBD you consume can actually be used by your body, and it also means CBD drinks need just 15-20 minutes to begin working, whereas gummies need 45 minutes to 1 hour.
CBD Drink Buying Tips
The CBD industry is largely unregulated, which means that you’ll need to employ careful shopping practices to find high-quality products.
Here are a few things you’ll want to do when buying CBD drinks:
Check the ingredients list
Cannabidiol (CBD) naturally occurs in hemp, but just because a product says it contains hemp doesn’t mean it contains CBD.
Check that cannabidiol or CBD is called out specifically in the ingredients list to ensure that what you’re buying actually contains this cannabinoid.
Know the cannabinoid blend and content
As you’ve learned, CBD drinks come in all manner of potencies, and many beverages contain other cannabinoids besides CBD.
Different potencies and blends are beneficial under different circumstances; what’s important is that you understand the potency and blend of the beverage you’re going to buy.
Full-spectrum CBD drinks contain THC in addition to CBD. These drinks won’t get you high, but they will cause you to fail a drug test.
Drinks that are 1:1 CBD:THC or that otherwise contain large amounts of THC will likely be psychoactive and will get you high.
Know what you’re buying and ensure it’s what you’re looking for.
Check lab reports
Reputable companies will have their products tested by 3rd-party labs to verify their safety and potency.
Check the lab report for any product you’re going to buy to ensure it contains the cannabinoids it says it does (and none of the cannabinoids it claims not to), and that it passes tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and molds.
If a product hasn’t been lab tested, do not buy it.
Conclusion: CBD Drinks Are Both Fun and Beneficial
Many people use CBD drinks as a healthier alternative to alcohol and a fun way to relax, but they also have the same therapeutic benefits that other CBD products have.
As a result, drinks have become one of the most popular types of CBD products.
Ready to dive into CBD drinks? Click here to check out our collection of drinks from brands like 8th Wonder and Blitzd.
Or, if you want to mix your own CBD drinks, read our article about doing that here.
CBD Drink Effects: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the effects of CBD drinks.
Do CBD drinks get you buzzed?
No, CBD drinks won’t cause you to get buzzed as alcohol does (this is more akin to the effects of THC drinks). Instead, CBD drinks promote calm and relaxation in both the body and mind.
How does a CBD drink make you feel?
Drinking CBD-infused drinks can promote mental and physical balance, helping you relax while also addressing discomfort.
How long do the effects of CBD drinks last?
The effects of CBD drinks take 15-20 minutes to kick in and last 4-6 hours.
Do CBD drinks relax you?
CBD drinks may promote mental and physical balance and relaxation. At higher potencies, they may be slightly sedative.
Do CBD drinks do anything?
Yes, CBD drinks have the same effects and benefits as other CBD products do. They promote mental and physical balance, and may have therapeutic potential for sleep, anxiety, pain, and other uses.
How long does a CBD drink take to kick in?
CBD drinks kick in 15-20 minutes after consumption.
Sources
[1] Zuardi, A W et al. “Effects of ipsapirone and cannabidiol on human experimental anxiety.” Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) vol. 7,1 Suppl (1993): 82-8. doi:10.1177/026988119300700112
[2] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana: An Evidence Review and Research Agenda. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 Jan 12. 4, Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
[3] Schilling, Jan M et al. “Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Survey of Patients’ Perspectives and Attitudes.” Journal of pain research vol. 14 1241-1250. 5 May. 2021, doi:10.2147/JPR.S278718
[4] Babson, Kimberly A et al. “Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature.” Current psychiatry reports vol. 19,4 (2017): 23. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0775-9
[5] Seizure Reduction and Treatment | Clinical Study Results | EPIDIOLEX® (cannabidiol). (n.d.).
[6] Prud’homme, Mélissa et al. “Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence.” Substance abuse : research and treatment vol. 9 33-8. 21 May. 2015, doi:10.4137/SART.S25081
