When it comes to recreational beverage choices in 2024, there seem to be new categories popping up every day. On top of non-alcoholic versions of beer, there are non-alcoholic mocktails, adaptogens, nootropics, and probiotic sodas to name a few. And, with the gradual legalization of recreational cannabis across states, there’s all manner of hemp, CBD, or THC infused beverages on the market. Within the ecosystem of hemp drinks, CBD beverages stand out as an accessible choice for those who are inexperienced with hemp as a whole.
Depending on your area, CBD beverages could be available as sodas, juices, tea, and seltzers. In our experience, we find seltzers to be more common as well as more familiar to customers. It’s important to note that while CBD seltzers can be a great choice for someone interested in trying out a hemp infused drink, not all of them are created equally. For example, some seltzers contain THC in addition to CBD, otherwise known as THC CBD seltzers. Before we dive into the hemp drink category, we’ll address a common question.
Can You Replace Alcohol With a Drink?
There are plenty of reasons why someone would seek to consume an alcoholic beverage. To begin with, alcohol comes in hundreds of forms that can be selected for specific occasions. For example, the purchase of several cases of beer hints at a drastically different experience than the purchase of an expensive bottle of champagne. Regardless of function, people who consume alcohol are generally doing so to relax, lower their inhibitions, and take part in social dynamics that may depend on the presence of alcohol. Thankfully, the wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages contains options that seek to accomplish the same effect without necessitating the consumption of alcohol.
Adaptogens are defined as a group of herbs, roots, and other natural plant-based supplements that people take to manage their stress levels after stressful situations. From first glance, it seems that adaptogen drinks can be used in the same manner as alcohol. Nootropics are man-made supplements that people use to improve memory, increase mental clarity, and boost energy levels. Nootropic drinks wouldn’t be a suitable substitute for alcohol, as it leans more towards productivity than recreation.
Can CBD Drinks Replace Alcohol?
Within the hemp drink category, there are CBD drinks which should stand alone as a unique option. CBD drinks, or beverages that only contain CBD as the sole active ingredient, are meant to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation, and offer a non-inebriating experience to its ingestant. THC is commonly labeled as the cannabinoid that creates a “high”, whereas CBD is not considered intoxicating. Is it safe to say that out of all of these new types of beverages, that CBD drinks are best suited to replace alcohol? The answer will completely depend on the person asking. The results of this particular study go on to say that the use of CBD on animal models reduced their motivation for ethanol, anxiety, and impulsivity. CBD even reduced alcohol-related brain damage, preventing the loss of neurons through its antioxidant properties.
The Difference Between Hemp and CBD Drinks
Hemp drinks are beverages that are made available by the Farm Bill signed in to legislation in 2018. This bill legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products as long as they contain no more than .3% THC on a dry weight basis. By defining hemp, removing its derivatives like CBD from the controlled substances act, giving oversight to the USDA and FDA, and allowing for transport across states, the government propagated a brand-new industry almost overnight. Thanks to the momentum generated by these changes, companies quickly seized the opportunity to create drinks infused with hemp or hemp derived cannabinoids.
One important distinction is that by legal definition, hemp refers to a product that has no more than .3% THC on a dry weight basis. This means that hemp, and hemp products could contain some THC. For this reason, it’s essential to distinguish CBD drinks as a unique option for the customer. A CBD drink implies that the only active ingredient is CBD. For example, a CBD seltzer would be expected to only contain CBD, whereas a hemp seltzer could contain CBD and THC together.
Comparing Hemp Drinks and Alcohol
In most states, a hemp drink should mean a beverage that contains THC and CBD along with any other disclosed cannabinoids. With the presence of THC, consumers can expect an experience that leans towards inebriation, which parallels the experience of alcohol consumption. Recall that when consumed independently, THC and CBD have completely different effects. A THC beverage could be considered to provide a more intoxicating experience, whereas a CBD beverage wouldn’t. With its various benefits for the brain, wouldn’t a THC beverage that includes CBD be even more suitable than a stand-alone THC drink?
The Effects of THC and CBD
When combined, THC and CBD are described to produce a sort of entourage effect within the brain. The entourage effect describes a phenomenon where the presence of more than one cannabinoid results in a synergy that provides a different experience than if just one were present. The synergy that occurs following the intake of THC and CBD in equal amounts can be described as uplifting, mellow, mood elevating, and relaxing. We believe that THC and CBD are must haves in any beverage that could be considered to substitute for alcohol. Each cannabinoid offers various benefits that stand out when compared with adaptogens or nootropics. This is why we created our own THC CBD seltzers that are designed to be sociable, "sessionable" (allows for the consumption of more than one), and suitable for all social occasions where alcohol might be consumed as well.