# Impact of Cannabinol, THCV, and CBD on Voluntary Alcohol Intake > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/effect-cannabinol-alcohol-consumption-study/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T07:02:10-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:02:30-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the effect of cannabinol on alcohol consumption and its potential in treating alcohol use disorder safely and effectively. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #80High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) Study Type Clinical Study Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and clinical practice. Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary Previous studies have demonstrated that the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) plays a significant role in the development of [alcohol use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-infused-drinks-may-help-people-cut-their-alcohol-intake-in-half/) (AUD), and CB1 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists show promise as a novel AUD pharmacotherapy. However, these compounds failed in [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) due to the severe psychiatric side effects. Non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids may have a better safety profile and could be used as an alternative approach to treat AUD. The aim of this study was to test the potential of three phytocannabinoids in reducing alcohol consumption: CB1 receptor partial agonist cannabinol (CBN), neutral antagonist tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and negative allosteric modulator cannabidiol (CBD). Male Wistar rats were subjected to a long-term voluntary alcohol drinking procedure that lasted for several months. Thereafter, rats were given three once daily administrations of CBN, THCV, or CBD. Their side-effect profile was examined by recording changes in water consumption, body we Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Effect%20of%20cannabinol%2C%20tetrahydrocannabivarin%20and%20cannabidiol%20on%20voluntary%20alcohol%20consumption.%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Feffect-of-cannabinol-tetrahydrocannabivarin-and-cannabidiol-on-voluntary-al%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Feffect-of-cannabinol-tetrahydrocannabivarin-and-cannabidiol-on-voluntary-al%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Effect%20of%20cannabinol%2C%20tetrahydrocannabivarin%20and%20cannabidiol%20on%20voluntary%20alcohol%20consumption.%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Feffect-of-cannabinol-tetrahydrocannabivarin-and-cannabidiol-on-voluntary-al%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41947574/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41947574/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Was this cannabinoid and alcohol study done in people or animals?](#Was_this_cannabinoid_and_alcohol_study_done_in_people_or_animals) - [Which cannabinoids were tested, and how do they act on CB1 receptors?](#Which_cannabinoids_were_tested_and_how_do_they_act_on_CB1_receptors) - [What happened with earlier CB1-blocking drugs for alcohol use disorder?](#What_happened_with_earlier_CB1-blocking_drugs_for_alcohol_use_disorder) - [Why might non-psychoactive plant cannabinoids be considered for alcohol use disorder?](#Why_might_non-psychoactive_plant_cannabinoids_be_considered_for_alcohol_use_disorder) - [How were the cannabinoids given, and how were side effects checked?](#How_were_the_cannabinoids_given_and_how_were_side_effects_checked) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### Was this cannabinoid and alcohol study done in people or animals? It was done in animals, not people. Male Wistar rats were put through a long-term voluntary alcohol drinking procedure that lasted for several months, and only after that were they given the cannabinoids. The study therefore tested these compounds in an animal model of long-term drinking rather than in human patients. ### Which cannabinoids were tested, and how do they act on CB1 receptors? Three plant cannabinoids were tested, each acting on the CB1 receptor in a different way: cannabinol (CBN) is a partial agonist, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a neutral antagonist, and cannabidiol (CBD) is a negative allosteric modulator. The aim was to test their potential to reduce alcohol consumption. ### What happened with earlier CB1-blocking drugs for alcohol use disorder? Previous studies showed that the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) plays a significant role in the development of alcohol use disorder, and CB1 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists showed promise as a new treatment. However, these compounds failed in [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) because of severe psychiatric side effects. ### Why might non-psychoactive plant cannabinoids be considered for alcohol use disorder? The article suggests that non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids may have a better safety profile than the CB1-blocking drugs that failed in trials, and could be used as an alternative approach to treating alcohol use disorder. This remains a possibility rather than an established treatment, and testing that potential in rats was the purpose of this study. ### How were the cannabinoids given, and how were side effects checked? After the months-long drinking period, the rats received three once-daily administrations of CBN, THCV, or CBD. To examine the side-effect profile of each compound, the researchers recorded changes in several measures, including the rats’ water consumption, alongside their test of whether each compound could reduce alcohol consumption. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New Clinical Insights on Cannabis and Patient Outcomes](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) Discover recent clinical findings on cannabis and how they impact patient health and treatment strategies. [Read Clinical Insights](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) [[Academic] Seeking Participants for Study on Cannabis + Sexual Health (18+, female, cannabis user)](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-sexual-health-study-female-participants/) Join an important academic study exploring the effects of cannabis on [sexual health](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-sexual-behavior-study/) for adult female users. [Join the Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-sexual-health-study-female-participants/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) Learn about the immediate effects of cannabis on brain function and cognition within the first day of use. [Explore Brain Effects](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).