Luckily, this is easy to avoid by just knowing your limits and not overdoing it. If you’re going to use alcohol and cannabis together, we recommend starting low and going slow. CBD does not have the psychotropic effects of THC, so consuming it with alcohol does not include the risk that you will experience heightened levels of intoxication from the alcohol.
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Given its newfound legal liberation in many states, use is likely to extend to older people in the future, as well as many others who might not have access to or be interested in using the black market stuff. Marijuana can stimulate appetite, is used for pain reduction, eases anxiety, and can facilitate sleep at night, among other uses. While there is some evidence for marijuana’s anti-tumor properties, the science is far from complete. In cannabis, the chemicals that produce the drug-like effects are called cannabinoids.
Alcohol and Weed: The Risks and Dangers of Mixing
There is little research on what happens if you drink alcohol first and then use cannabis, and vice versa. The studies that have been conducted have only examined drinking alcohol first and then using weed. These studies are mostly pre-2000 and include small numbers of participants, but they may provide some preliminary insight into how mixing weed and alcohol at different times affects the side effects. Additionally, be cautious when using other substances or medications in combination with alcohol and weed.
- To date, research in this area has been constrained by a relatively low dose of cannabis administered relative to cannabis with much higher THC potency commonly in use today 46.
- These psychological symptoms can be overwhelming and distressing for the person affected.
- Much clinical research on co-use of cannabis and alcohol has been concerned with investigation of pharmacokinetic interactions between the two drugs.
- The information presented is not meant to replace medical advice but to simply share the current research.
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For example, individuals using higher levels of cannabis reported higher levels of alcohol relative to those using lower amounts of cannabis. Among college-aged drinkers, lifetime and past year use of cannabis increased as level of alcohol consumption increased 24, 25. Both substances can affect individuals differently, and factors such as tolerance, body weight, and metabolism can influence how your body reacts to the combination. It’s essential to be aware of your personal tolerance levels and understand how the combined effects may impact you. When alcohol and weed are combined, there are potential risks and side effects that individuals should be aware of. While the effects can vary depending on factors such as the amount consumed and individual tolerance, it’s important to understand the potential consequences of mixing these substances.
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Researchers noted that CBD reduced blood alcohol levels, while nothing changed with placebo. When users experience an overdose of their drug of choice, it’s advised that they seek some form of treatment. For an alcoholic overdose, drinkers should be taken to a hospital where they can have their stomach pumped and remain under observation until the drug has processed out of their system. More extreme cases may need to remain under medical care while they undergo a full detoxification process.
A 2019 study supports this, finding that those who use alcohol and weed simultaneously are likely to drink more alcohol more frequently. Keep in mind that combining the two may be linked to a decline in cognitive function and an increased risk of dependence. Remember, consuming weed and alcohol together can make you feel either more or less intoxicated than you would if you were using just one or the other. When mixing weed and alcohol, there are a lot of other variables to consider in addition to which one you use first. This is because alcohol increases the absorption of weed’s main psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Evidence is preliminary, human studies are small, and animal research is sparse. Contrary to its well-known rival, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD has no euphoric or intoxication effects. This means that it is tommy lee sober is also less addictive than its psychedelic counterpart.