162. Drinks 101: CBD in Alcohol-Free Drinks Artwork

Mindful Drinking and Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms

**A Spotify 'Rising Star' show** Practical moderation for the way you want to live.

Why can't I drink like I used to? How do I drink less without quitting completely? Should I go for low, no or light alcohol drinks? Why do alcohol-free drinks cost so much?

If you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond and asking these questions, this is your podcast.

Welcome to the essential show for midlife adults who want to drink less, on their own terms—without the pressure to quit completely, follow rigid rules, or label themselves as sober.

I'm Denise Hamilton-Mace, your mindful drinking mentor, writer and public speaker on all things low, no and light. Each week, I help stressed parents and busy midlife adults navigate their relationship with alcohol through practical approaches grounded in real-world experience and behaviour change strategy, not willpower or wellness culture

What you'll get:

Mindful Moderation Solo Episodes – Deep-dives answering the questions that matter to sophisticated drinkers who want to moderate smartly:

How do I cut back when my partner still drinks at home?
What really works: willpower vs. strategy?
Why do premium alcohol-free drinks cost the same as full-strength versions?
How do I navigate social situations when I'm the only one moderating?

This podcast is for you if:

You're looking for practical advice that fits your demanding life, not another wellness overhaul
You recognise that coasting with mid-strength drinks, zebra-striping, or bookending your evening with something non-alcoholic are all valid strategies
You want better mornings without giving up celebrating life's special moments

This isn't about going completely dry or reinventing yourself. It's about keeping energy for what matters most: family, health, career, and living life on your own terms.

Join the moderation revolution happening in midlife – because while Gen Z gets the headlines, you're the one actually doing it.

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Mindful Drinking and Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms

162. Drinks 101: CBD in Alcohol-Free Drinks

March 02, 2026 • Denise Hamilton-Mace • Episode 162

0:00 | 4:29

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Worried CBD drinks will get you high or trigger a case of the munchies? I'm clearing up the confusion around cannabidiol—the non-psychoactive ingredient from cannabis that's showing up in supermarket-friendly brands like Trip and GoodRays. From how it actually works in your brain to why it won't cause intoxication, I'll explain what CBD drinks really do and whether they're worth adding to your alcohol-free rotation.

Dive deeper with: ep#47. Psychotropic-Curious with High & Dry Founder Daniel Rowntree

On Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/47-psychotropic-curious-with-high-dry-founder-daniel/id1701338793?i=1000678626373

On Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Hse5wHNPIFcbeABPRdUz7?si=4c1cfa1a6f02485d

On Overcast – https://overcast.fm/+BDZGsWqbTU

& Feel free to email me any topics or questions you’d like me to answer for you on another episode of Drinks 101.

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SPEAKER_00 1:15

Welcome to Mindful Drinking and Moderation in Midlife Drinks 101, where in just a couple of minutes each week I help you to understand some of the mysteries behind low, no, and light alcohol drinks. Today we're looking at CBD drinks.

CBD Basics And Market Growth

SPEAKER_00 1:30

This is the final category in our functional drinks mini-series, and it is a growing category of interest for alcohol-free drinks. CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is the non-psychoactive ingredient from the cannabis plant. CBD drinks are booming both in the States and here in the UK, and across the pond, you'll also find a growth in THC drinks or tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the psychoactive part of the plant, and it's currently illegal in the UK. So whilst there are a lot of people that think that these drinks have some great potential, it's not something I can talk about on this show.

Will CBD Get Me High

SPEAKER_00 2:11

So the most common question to answer regarding CBD drinks is will they get me high? Lots of people worry that they may cause intoxication or trigger cravings for brownies, but as CBD is non-psychoactive, there is no risk of the munchies or any type of high. So what do they do instead?

How CBD Works In The Body

SPEAKER_00 2:32

CBD drinks are often used for inducing relaxation and other calming, stress-relieving effects. While they won't get you woozy, they do bind to or interact with the science, is still figuring out exactly how they work, but they react with the receptors in the brain called endocannabinoids, where they help to reduce cortisol level, that's the stress hormone, and to balance your mood. They can also promote muscle relaxation and reduce inflammation.

Dosage Limits And Personal Factors

SPEAKER_00 3:04

As with the adaptogens and nootropics we discussed in the last two weeks, the effect of CBD drinks varies person by person. There are limits in the UK on the dosage that is permitted in consumer goods, which was further reduced earlier on last year, and other factors such as your current physiology and how much weed you smoked in the past will all impact their effectiveness.

Brands, Expert Reference, And Next Topic

SPEAKER_00 3:32

Popular CBD brands here include brands like Trip and GoodRay's, which, if you were concerned about whether or not they would impact you, you feel reassured in knowing that you can pick up these drinks in your local supermarkets. I spoke to expert Daniel Roundtree from High and Dry about the course of CBD, THC, microdosing, nootropics, and adaptogens, both here in the UK and in the US in episode 47. So I think it'll be a great one for you to check out and find out more. I'll link to it in the show notes where you'll also find my email address. So if you do have a question you'd like me to answer on our drinks 101, please do let me know. Next time, now that we've finished our functional drinks mini series, we'll be moving on to look at why alcohol free drinks cost so much when there's no booze in them. So until next time, cheers to a life less intoxicated.

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Denise Hamilton-Mace

Host