Can CBD help you conquer Dry January?

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Dry January is a popular trend where individuals abstain from alcohol for the month of January as a way to reset their relationship with alcohol and improve their overall health. The Sober curious movement has been growing over the past few years, meaning more and more people are keen to give dry January a shot.  It is a great way to start the year and a resolution that can be attained in just 31 days. While this can be a challenging task, many people find that incorporating CBD into their routine can help them to successfully complete Dry January.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It has been shown to have a wide range of potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep, and managing pain. In addition, CBD has been shown to be a helpful tool for individuals who are trying to quit or reduce their alcohol consumption.

Anxiety and Stress

One of the primary ways that CBD can be helpful during Dry January is by reducing anxiety and stress. For many people, alcohol is used as a way to cope with these feelings, but when they stop drinking, they may feel overwhelmed by them. CBD has been shown to help with this by decreasing feelings of anxiety and stress, which can help to make the transition to being sober easier.

Man looking stressed out and anxious sitting on sofa

In a 2019 study, researchers found 300–600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult males. In the study, the participants had to go and give a public speech and we all know how public speaking can induce feelings of anxiety and stress. The ideal dosage for an individual to relieve anxiety depends on the CBD product, how they administer it, and personal health factors. 

Improve Sleep

Another way that CBD can help with Dry January is by improving sleep. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, causing individuals to wake up feeling groggy and unrested. CBD has been shown to improve sleep by helping the body to relax and fall asleep more easily. This can be especially helpful during the first few weeks of Dry January, when individuals may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia.

CBD is the second most abundant compound in the Cannabis Sativa plant, and many studies suggest it may indirectly benefit sleep. In fact, CBD—which doesn’t cause the intoxicatingly psychoactive “high” associated with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—might help people with different sleep disorders, including insomnia and restless leg syndrome, as well as other conditions known to negatively impact sleep, according to research.

For instance, CBD may help people relax by easing anxiety and pain, two factors that may make it difficult for someone to fall or stay asleep.

Pain Management

CBD may also be helpful for managing pain, which can be a common side effect of quitting alcohol. Alcohol is a natural pain reliever, so when individuals stop drinking, they may experience increased pain. CBD has been shown to be an effective natural pain reliever, which can help to make the transition to being sober easier.

Woman massaging her neck from pain

It can also help with chronic pain. Unlike some other prescribed pain medication, CBD, in oil form, can help users manage their pain while still enabling them to proceed with day-to-day tasks.  CBD oils have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce pain symptoms and can help to make these day-to-day tasks more manageable.

Focus and Memory

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology showed that one 600 mg serving size of CBD increases the blood flow to the hippocampus. This is the part of the brain responsible for memory processing. There was also a reduction in reaction time for certain memory tasks performed by test subjects.

What’s more, a report published by the National Institutes of Health in 2018 indicated that CBD can support mental health and sharpness in several ways. The report showed that CBD supplements may promote new neuron growth in the brain, which likely explains why CBD can support occasional anxiety, sadness, and focus.

Along with its positive effect on focus, CBD has also been shown to improve memory. A review of clinical studies for the Journal of Cannabis Research shows a positive relationship between CBD use and improvements in “attention, executive function, working memory, and episodic memory.”

Overall Health

Finally, CBD has been shown to be helpful for those looking to quit or reduce their alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that CBD can reduce the desire to drink alcohol, which can make it easier for individuals to stick to their goals during Dry January. Additionally, CBD may help to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, which can make it easier for individuals to quit drinking.

Yellow Stethoscope with a little heart made out of ribbons next to it

Overall, incorporating CBD into your routine during Dry January can be a helpful tool for those looking to quit or reduce their alcohol consumption. By reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep, and managing pain, CBD can make the transition to being sober easier and more manageable. Additionally, by reducing the desire to drink alcohol and the severity of withdrawal symptoms, CBD can help individuals successfully complete Dry January and improve their overall health.

Which CBD product would be the best help with Dry January?

There are a multitude of CBD products on the market that could potentially help you on your dry January journey.  The two most common products would be CBD Oils and CBD Drinks. CBD Oil would be our top choice here since it can be incorporated into almost everything. Some people mix CBD into their morning coffee to give themselves a slight boost of energy and a feeling of relaxation in the morning while others, incorporate it into smoothies to help them with their midday stress. If you are not the type to incorporate CBD oil into your drinking liquid, you can always use the tried and true method of ingesting CBD oil sublingually.

Another product that is making the rounds are CBD infused drinks. Since many individuals do not know how much CBD they should add to their drink, other companies have started offering already mixed drinks with CBD to help you out.  These drinks do come with different amounts of CBD in them, the best tip we offer you if you are wanting to try these drinks is to start low and slow.  Meaning, start with a low percentage of CBD, take your time and slowly incorporating CBD drinks into your routine.

To conclude, Dry January can be a challenging task but incorporating CBD into your routine can help you to complete it successfully. CBD has been shown to have a wide range of potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep, and managing pain. Additionally, CBD has been shown to be a helpful tool for individuals who are trying to quit or reduce their alcohol consumption. 

DISCLAIMER: Information and products presented by resolveCBD are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or ailment, nor is it intended to be a substitute or alternative for professional medical advice. Always consult with a licensed professional regarding medical treatment or possible interactions with prescribed drugs. Products are intended to be used as directed, by individuals who are 19 years of age or older.