Going California Sober: Study Suggests Marijuana Could Help Cutting Down Drinking Intake
Emerging research released in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach might significantly help individuals lower their drink consumption.
The Study and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University carried out a novel study where volunteers were provided with cannabis cigarettes to smoke before visiting a specially designed simulated bar environment.
- Participants could choose to drink up to 8 mini alcoholic beverages.
- The trial was repeated three separate times with varying THC levels: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a real-life bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to ensure subject authenticity.
“Our goal was to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be highly motivated to drink,” stated the lead researcher.
Significant Results and Effects on Drinking
Results showed a notable decrease in alcohol intake after participants smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption dropped by nineteen percent after using 3.1% THC marijuana.
- The drop was even more significant with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction compared to the placebo.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has driven a major surge in cannabis usage, which has increased twofold over the past decade.
At the same time, alcohol use is at a record low, with many turning to alternatives like weed.
Crucial to note that forty percent of trial participants met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
While marijuana could serve as a potential solution to heavy drinking, researchers caution that more study is required.
“We’re not ready to advise people seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and substitute cannabis, and it will work out for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
