The Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Weed
With the positive results from studies of using CBD to help alcoholism, it’s important to be aware of the effects and symptoms caused by consuming too much alcohol and why you should consider using CBD. Medical researchers don’t have enough evidence to pinpoint the exact consequences of mixing CBD and alcohol. Evidence is preliminary, human studies are small, and animal research is sparse. It’s important to remember that moderation is key when it comes to substance use. By pacing yourself and setting limits, you can avoid potential risks like overdose or making poor decisions while under the influence. If you find it challenging to moderate your use, remember that rehabilitation programs are available to offer support and resources tailored to your needs.
The researchers state that a critical factor to determine is whether or not the differences between users and non-users were provoked by exposure to alcohol or if these issues were present beforehand. To help you out, here are eight food items that can enhance the effect of marijuana. Talk to your doctor or reach out to a mental health professional to discuss your options. However, you can “green out” and experience a bad reaction from smoking too much marijuana or ingesting too much THC. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Drinking alcohol before smoking weed can make you feel high more intensely and quickly.
For the purposes of the present study, beer and beer alternative were collapsed into a single category. 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. There is a need for more rigorous and longitudinal research studies on the co-use of cannabis and alcohol to glean a more complete understanding of the relationship between the two substances. Findings can be used to develop and refine intervention strategies to successfully reduce cannabis and alcohol co-use.
Turns out, you might not need much alcohol to change the way your body absorbs THC.
Risks and Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Weed
The impairment caused by these substances can significantly impact judgment, coordination, and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of accidents while driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in other potentially dangerous activities. The long-term use of both alcohol and weed may cause structural changes in the brain, with a combination of these drugs leading to more prominent effects. Researchers have found that heavy weed users who drink alcohol have worse cognitive functioning than people who only consume alcohol. There is little research on what happens if you drink alcohol first and then use cannabis, and vice versa.
Clinical Research on Behavioral Performance Impairment from Co-use
The above study from 1979 gave 10 human participants 200 mg of combining alcohol and marijuana produces CBD, along with alcohol. Researchers noted that CBD reduced blood alcohol levels, while nothing changed with placebo. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) determines how intoxicated you feel, although the intensity varies based on tolerance. If you are concerned about your level of alcohol or cannabis use, seek treatment from a mental health provider who works with substance use issues.
Can you get drunk and high at the same time?
All leaf combinations had lower rates of cannabis use after adjusting for covariates, relative to using dual cannabis products and multiple alcohol products on that day (see Figure 2C). Only concentrate + beer and leaf + beer had significantly lower odds of experiencing a negative consequence after adjusting for covariates, relative to using concentrate combined with multiple alcohol products on that day (see Figure 3A). All leaf combinations had lower rates of cannabis use, relative to using concentrate and multiple alcohol products on that day, after adjusting for covariates (see Figure 3C). No combination was significantly different from using liquor + 2 cannabis products on a given day for negative consequences after adjusting for covariates (see Figure 4A).
It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before consuming alcohol and cannabis together. Estimating intoxication can be challenging when combining alcohol and cannabis, but several tips and tricks can help. These include monitoring the number of drinks consumed, pacing consumption over time, and using tools like breathalyzers or blood tests to measure alcohol levels. Cross-fading is a term used to describe the simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis.
No, the symptoms of a cannabis hangover may resemble that of an alcohol hangover, but they are not quite the same. Symptoms of a cannabis hangover may include headache, fatigue, dry mouth, and brain fog. However, the severity and duration of these symptoms are generally less intense and shorter-lived than those of an alcohol hangover. Not only that, alcohol hangovers may involve other, more severe symptoms, such as vomiting or stomach aches. Drinking alcohol is ingrained in so many social situations, but most methods of cannabis consumption don’t work well as a replacement. Cannabis beverages, though, present a real alternative to alcoholic beverages that can fit into many of the same social settings.
It is important to note that these effects can vary depending on the amount and frequency of use, as well as individual tolerance levels. Your tolerance can be affected by the potency of the alcohol and the cannabis used, so be mindful that not every mix may have the same effect. As much as possible, know what you’re drinking and which cannabis you’re using, and let this factor into how much you consume of both.
- This term is often used in social situations where people consume alcohol and marijuana together.
- In other words, it makes it a lot easier to start «greening out» (feeling light-headed or nauseous after getting too intoxicated too quickly.
- Some people, especially those who are not used to weed consumption, may experience a “green out.” A green out can cause intense and unpleasant symptoms, such as dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
Alcohol has long been a staple of social gatherings and celebrations, with millions of people consuming it regularly. In fact, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 85% of adults aged 18 or older reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime. Other research suggests that, if weed slows your body’s rate of alcohol absorption, then it may delay the feeling of being drunk. This may cause you to make unsafe decisions, especially if you’re unaware of your impairment level. In serious cases, some people misuse both weed and alcohol because they struggle with a substance use disorder or an addiction.
