Going California Sober: Study Suggests Cannabis Could Help Reducing Drinking Intake
Emerging research published in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that embracing a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method could significantly assist people reduce their alcohol use.
The Study and Controlled Environment Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where volunteers were provided with cannabis cigarettes to smoke before visiting a specially designed “bar lab”.
- Participants could choose to drink up to eight mini alcoholic beverages.
- The experiment was conducted three separate times with different tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: 7.2%, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to guarantee subject realism.
“We wanted to ensure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the lead researcher.
Key Findings and Effects on Alcohol Use
Results showed a marked decrease in drink consumption after participants used marijuana:
- Drink intake fell by 19% after consuming moderate-THC marijuana.
- The drop was even more significant with high-THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction compared to the placebo.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has spurred a major surge in marijuana usage, which has increased twofold over the past decade.
Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a historic low, with many opting for alternatives like weed.
Crucial to note that 40% of trial subjects met the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
While cannabis could serve as a possible alternative to excessive drinking, scientists caution that more research is needed.
“It is premature to tell people in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and substitute marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author noted.
