Does CBD help young people with alcohol problems?

Can something from the cannabis plant help teens and young adults who struggle with drinking too much alcohol? That was the big question scientists set out to answer in a recent clinical trial, which focused on cannabidiol, or CBD. This natural chemical, found in Cannabis sativa, has gotten lots of attention as a possible treatment for many health problems. But does it really help with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in young people?

What is alcohol use disorder in youth?

Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is when someone has trouble controlling their drinking, even if it causes problems in their life. Nearly 15% of teenagers meet the criteria for AUD by age 18. Many treatments for youth with AUD focus on therapy and support groups, but these do not always work for everyone. Scientists are searching for new options that might help teens and young adults get better results.

Why are people interested in CBD?

CBD is different from THC, the part of cannabis that causes a "high." CBD does not make you feel intoxicated and is considered safe for most people. Some animal studies have suggested CBD might reduce alcohol use and lower the urge to drink (see preclinical research). People hope it could help treat AUD by affecting the brain’s reward system and reducing cravings. CBD also appeals to many young people because it's seen as a natural remedy.

How did researchers test CBD in youth with AUD?

A team of scientists designed a careful study with 36 volunteers aged 17 to 22, all with AUD. Each person visited the clinic twice. In one session, they took a single large dose of CBD (600 mg); in the other, they got a placebo (a fake treatment). Neither the participants nor the researchers knew which was which, making it a double-blind study. After taking the medicine, the researchers used brain scans, heart monitors, and smell tests to see if CBD changed how the brain and body reacted to alcohol-related cues and cravings. They also tracked how much alcohol the youth drank in the week following each session.

What did the study find?

The results might surprise you: CBD did not make a difference in any of the main areas the scientists tested. The brain scans showed no changes in brain chemicals or activity linked to craving. The heart rate and skin responses to smelling alcohol stayed the same. Even the amount of alcohol the young people drank did not change after taking CBD compared to placebo. The good news is that CBD appeared safe—nobody had bad side effects from a single dose.

What does this mean for young people and families?

This study is important because it is the first to test CBD for AUD in young people in such a detailed way (see original clinical trial). Even though CBD did not help reduce cravings or alcohol use in this group, it was also not harmful. The scientists say that more research is needed, especially to see if taking CBD for longer or in different ways might help. It's also possible that different settings, stronger cravings, or more personalized cues could show different results. For families and young people looking for help, it is important to remember that most evidence supports therapy and support groups, not CBD, as the best ways to treat AUD right now.

How does this fit with other health research?

Other studies in adults with AUD have sometimes found small benefits when CBD is used at higher doses or for more days. But results are mixed, and scientists are still figuring out who, if anyone, might benefit from CBD for alcohol problems (see related adult study). This youth study helps clarify that CBD is not a quick fix for young people with AUD. It also highlights the importance of using rigorous science and tools like health AI platforms (such as SlothMD) to evaluate which treatments really work. If you are interested in how muscle power can support healthy aging, check out this article for further reading: why building muscle power matters as you age. And if you are curious about how the immune system can be tricked by rare diseases, see this helpful summary: how VEXAS syndrome tricks the immune system.

The bottom line

CBD is safe for young people with alcohol use disorder but, at least for now, does not seem to help reduce cravings or drinking when given as a single dose. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, therapy and support are still the most proven options. Health AI resources like SlothMD can help you find the latest trustworthy information as science continues to explore new treatments.