The pandemic has been difficult for many reasons. Most of us didn’t fully understand the hit our social lives would take when this all started. Sure, introverts weren’t bothered quite as much, but the extroverts took it hard — patiently waiting to be “social” again.
Finally, we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Most restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and shared spaces are back open with restrictions. After a long year indoors, many people are back out, being social once again (and hopefully, safe and responsible!), and enjoying themselves. But with the return of active social lives comes one of life’s nasty little repercussions: hangovers.
There are plenty of hangover remedies, and it seems like everyone, no matter what walk of life they come from, has their go-to method when it comes to bouncing back after a night out. Many people turned to CBD during the pandemic, and they’re holding steady with the trend, keeping CBD close by after a night of much-needed socializing.
What’s CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant. There are over 100 different cannabinoids, but CBD happens to be one of the more popular ones.
To be legally compliant in the U.S., CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC, so one can enjoy their wellness benefits without worry of getting “high.”
CBD has enormous potential, because it works naturally within the body, thanks to the endocannabinoid system. This is a complex system all mammals have that provides a signaling network to maintain homeostasis in the body. The human body produces its own cannabinoids (or endocannabinoids), and this is how these systems are interconnected.
CBD gained its legal status when The Farm Bill of 2018 passed, making CBD accessible with a few clicks of the keyboard. As mentioned above, people from all walks of life and backgrounds find success with CBD. So, we took some time to interview five different people to see how they incorporate it into their recovery after a long night out.
Let’s see what they had to say.
The New Mommy
Karissa, 32, is a stay-at-home mom with a new baby in the house. She enjoys gathering with her friends and having a glass of wine, but she doesn’t have much because she worries about how a hangover will interfere with the following day.
“I love that restaurants and bars are back open. I didn’t have much time for a new baby and a social life. I was looking forward to getting back together with friends, having some “me time,” but then things shut down. Fast-forward, and here we are! I’m so happy I’m able to connect with my friends again. One of them told me about CBD gummies, so now I have one the day after to level things out after a night out with friends.”
The Stressed-Out Socialite
Robert, 25, is on everyone’s guest list. He’s the life of the party, always up for another round, but he hates feeling sick the next day. Still, he insists that FOMO will haunt him if he doesn’t RSVP to the next event.
“Now, with everything opening back up, FOMO is back even more now than ever before. After not seeing most of my friends for over a year, I feel the need to connect with as many of them as possible, and with that comes long nights, along with some rough mornings afterward. My go-to strategy for getting back on my A-game the next day is eating a filling meal first thing when I get up as well as taking CBD Capsules with terpenes and caffeine to help me focus.”
The Energetic Entrepreneur
Lauren, 30, is always on the go, constantly researching new opportunities and putting plans in motion. She felt the sting of isolation during the pandemic and was more than eager to fill her social calendar again, but she quickly found out her “recovery” time lengthened since her last social encounter.
“After a night out, I take CBD oil with CBN. If I’m still feeling off the next morning, CBD helps me kick back into gear. If I have a busy morning, I’ll grab a CBD beverage shot or focus capsule to help me feel more awake and alert for the day ahead.”
The Busy Professional
Michael, 53, is a busy professional who works in the wellness industry. He still enjoys going out, but understands that the morning after can be a bit of a struggle.
“I still like to kick back at the bar and have a good time, but it hits me a lot harder, the next day, now than it did a few years back. I get the typical headaches and creakiness one usually associates with hangovers. My two magic weapons against the hangover are water — lots of water. I start hydrating the moment I get up. And I like to rub CBD balm on my temples, neck, and shoulders. It definitely lowers the throbbing and helps me get on with my day.”
The All-Star Athlete
Mark, 27, works out twice a day, five days a week. He’s been patiently waiting for social gatherings to kick off again, but now that it’s time, he worries how and if it will interfere with his training sessions.
“At first, I was apprehensive about getting back out there. I used all the downtime to get my fitness goals in order and didn’t want to slow my progress. I still went out with my friends, but I make sure I drink plenty of water throughout the night and eat a healthy meal when I pop up. When I head to the gym, I make sure I have some kind of energy-enhancing CBD drink in my bag.”
People like Mark use CBD for a broad range of benefits, and find that it integrates seamlessly into different lifestyles. Let’s look at some of the traditional hangover remedies to pair with CBD.
Some Quick Tips on Rest & Recovery
We’re all beyond ready to get out there and socialize again, but are we prepared for the next day? Sure we are! For most of us, it simply means going back to those college remedies we turned to after a long night out — but this a healthier, grown-up twist. Here are a few ways to rest and recover responsibly.
Hydration Matters
We know the human body is 60% water, so it’s not surprising that water plays such an instrumental role in how we feel, especially after drinking. When consuming alcoholic beverages, the body becomes dehydrated because alcohol is a diuretic — removing fluids from the body. Try to drink water while you’re drinking alcohol to avoid such an intense hangover, and make sure to drink plenty of water the next day.
Grab Some Electrolytes
Electrolytes are essential, because they help the body retain fluids, which is helpful during and after a few drinks with friends. They play a huge role in cell function, fluid balance, tissue repair, and energy enhancement. There are plenty of electrolyte-infused waters on the market — or swipe the kiddo’s Pedialyte if it’s a dire situation.
Avoid the “Hair of the Dog” Method
Most of us have heard this age-old saying, but it’s actually counterproductive to wake up and have another alcoholic bevvie. This only prolongs the inevitable. Try to avoid this recovery tactic because this makes a bad situation worse when it’s all said and done.
Drink Some Bubbly (No, Not That Kind)
No, we’re not talking about champagne. Instead, when a hangover is on the horizon and the tummy is a little queasy, ginger ale is quite helpful. It’s something about the bubbles that settles the stomach — plus, the addition of ginger, although we’re guessing there’s not too much in the average soft drink. Nonetheless, ginger ale is a simple recovery aid that soothes an upset stomach.
Be Safe and Responsible
First and foremost, we hope that everyone out there, who chooses to partake, will do so safely and responsibly. No drinking and driving — ever. And we hope everyone is smart when it comes to socializing during the pandemic. No night out is worth catching COVID.
But for those who are able to get back out for a night on the town (or a bottle or two of wine at home), we hope these tips and tricks can minimize the damage for the next morning.