The Rising Trend of Alcohol and Cannabis Co-Use

As marijuana legalization sweeps across various nations, the intertwining habits of alcohol and cannabis consumption are becoming more prevalent. But what’s the real impact of cannabis on alcohol drinking habits?

The Mixed Messages from Previous Studies

Research on this topic has produced mixed results. Some studies suggest that using cannabis may lower alcohol intake, while others report either an increase or no change at all.

A Groundbreaking Study by Colorado Researchers

In a bid to untangle these conflicting findings, researchers from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado conducted the first lab-based study examining how legal-market cannabis affects alcohol consumption.

Experiment Breakdown: Cannabis and Alcohol Interaction

The study involved 61 participants who went through two lab sessions. They first received an alcohol “priming” drink alone or after using cannabis. Following this, they could choose to drink up to four more alcoholic beverages. What happened next was intriguing — those who had used cannabis significantly cut back on their subsequent drinks!

Cravings Diminished: The Surprising Results

Most notably, the 23 participants who reduced their drinking after cannabis use reported lower cravings for both cannabis and alcohol compared to those who consumed alcohol alone.

No Differences in THC Levels Found

Interestingly, there were no significant differences in blood-THC levels after cannabis use among groups, indicating that the extent of cannabis effects might not be linked to the concentration of THC.

Implications of the Findings

Research indicates that for certain heavy drinkers, cannabis could act as a substitute for alcohol, potentially reducing cravings. This breakthrough suggests a new avenue for understanding drinking behavior.

Who Participated in the Study?

Participants were between 21 and 60 years old and had to meet specific criteria: they must have engaged in heavy drinking for at least three months, defined as more than four drinks on any day or over 14 drinks weekly for men, and more than three drinks daily or seven weekly for women. Regular cannabis flower users were also selected for the study.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Cannabis and Alcohol Research

Published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, this study was backed by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It opens the door for further investigation into the individual and contextual factors that might determine whether cannabis can truly serve as a beneficial substitute for alcohol.