Going California Sober: Research Indicates Cannabis Could Assist in Reducing Alcohol Intake
New research released in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach could significantly help individuals lower their alcohol consumption.
The Study and Controlled Environment Scenario
A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where volunteers were provided with marijuana joints to consume before visiting a specially designed “bar lab”.
- Subjects could choose to consume up to eight mini alcoholic beverages.
- The experiment was conducted on three occasions with varying THC potencies: high potency, 3.1%, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to replicate a real-life bar atmosphere, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to guarantee subject realism.
“We wanted to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Results showed a marked reduction in alcohol consumption after participants used cannabis:
- Drink consumption dropped by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC marijuana.
- The drop was more pronounced with high-THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction versus the placebo.
Broader Context and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has spurred a significant rise in cannabis usage, which has doubled over the past decade.
Meanwhile, drink consumption is at a historic low, with many opting for alternatives like marijuana.
Crucial to note that 40% of trial subjects met the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
Although cannabis might be a potential alternative to heavy alcohol use, scientists warn that more research is required.
“It is premature to tell individuals in treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and replace cannabis, and it will work out for you,’” a study author commented.
