What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: CBD, Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of cannabis research on June 13, 2026.

CBD and alcohol mix safely in moderate drinkers, new study shows

Q: What did this research study find?

This Phase I clinical trial examined whether combining *cannabidiol* (CBD) with alcohol poses safety concerns for moderate drinkers. Researchers conducted controlled laboratory sessions where 29 healthy adults received either **placebo, 50 mg CBD, or 100 mg CBD** alongside a standardized alcohol dos

Safety of Co-Administered Cannabidiol (CBD) and alcohol: a Phase I study.

Journal of cannabis research • June 13, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This Phase I clinical trial examined whether combining cannabidiol (CBD) with alcohol poses safety concerns for moderate drinkers. Researchers conducted controlled laboratory sessions where 29 healthy adults received either placebo, 50 mg CBD, or 100 mg CBD alongside a standardized alcohol dose, while measuring breath alcohol content, subjective effects, and impairment markers. The study then extended to four weeks of outpatient monitoring where participants took 50 mg CBD twice daily while reporting their natural alcohol consumption patterns via smartphone app.

The results were reassuring: CBD showed no significant interactions with alcohol in either the acute laboratory setting or the chronic outpatient phase. Participants experienced no differences in how they felt, their measured impairment levels, or their blood alcohol concentration profiles when combining CBD with alcohol compared to placebo. Over the four-week period, CBD use did not increase alcohol cravings or change drinking patterns, and most blood markers remained normal, with only minor decreases in protein and globulin levels noted.

These findings suggest that moderate CBD use appears safe alongside typical alcohol consumption in healthy adults, contrary to earlier concerns about potential interactions. However, researchers emphasize this applies specifically to people with moderate alcohol use patterns. The safety profile of CBD in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder or dependence remains unknown and requires future investigation.

📄 Original Abstract

This Phase I randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of cannabidiol (CBD) and alcohol co-administration among moderate alcohol consumers in acute laboratory and chronic outpatient settings. Healthy adults ages 21-65 with moderate alcohol use completed three acute dosing sessions where they received either placebo, 50 mg CBD, or 100 mg CBD along with alcohol dosed to achieve peak blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.06 g/100 mL. Sessions were randomly ordered, and participants and outcome assessors were blinded to study drug during these laboratory sessions. Breath alcohol content (BrAC) and measures of subjective effects and impairment were collected from participants throughout each session. Participants then consumed 50 mg CBD twice daily for four weeks as outpatients while reporting alcohol use, craving, and adverse effects via a smartphone app. Metabolic labs and CBD content were measured from blood samples collected at four-week follow-up. Twenty-nine participants were enrolled and nineteen participants completed the study. CBD was well-tolerated in both acute and chronic dosing sessions. Acute CBD-alcohol use was not associated with significant differences in subjective responses or breath alcohol content (BrAC) peak or time course compared to placebo for either CBD condition. Acute CBD-alcohol use was not associated with impairment 4 h after dosing. CBD use was not associated with significant changes in alcohol cravings or drinks per day, nor significant lab changes outside of decreases in protein and globulin, across the chronic dosing period. CBD co-administration with alcohol was not associated with significant changes in subjective or physiologic effects among moderate alcohol consumers in acute laboratory and naturalistic outpatient settings. The safety of CBD use in patients with more severe alcohol use should be examined in future studies. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on April 7th, 2022 under the code NCT05317507.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Journal of cannabis research
Published: June 13, 2026
PMID: 42288934
DOI: 10.1186/s42238-026-00457-1

Authors (7)

David Wolinsky Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus, Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA. dwolins2@jhmi.edu.
Sara Blaine Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
Justin C Strickland Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus, Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
Erica N Peters Emerald Mountain Consulting, LLC, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Amy Harrison University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
+2 more authors