Going California Sober: Research Suggests Marijuana Could Help Cutting Down Drinking Consumption
New research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method might substantially assist people lower their alcohol consumption.
The Study and Bar Lab Scenario
Researchers from Brown University conducted a unique experiment where participants were provided with cannabis cigarettes to smoke before entering a specially designed “bar lab”.
- Subjects had the option to consume up to 8 small drinks.
- The experiment was repeated on three occasions with different THC levels: high potency, 3.1%, and a 0.03% cannabis.
Great care was taken to replicate a real-life bar environment, complete with low light and beer taps to ensure participant authenticity.
“We wanted to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the lead researcher.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Results showed a marked reduction in alcohol intake after subjects smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption dropped by nineteen percent after using 3.1% THC cannabis.
- The drop was even more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction compared to the placebo.
Broader Context and Future Research
Expanded legalization has driven a major surge in marijuana usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
At the same time, drink consumption is at a historic low, with many turning to substitutes like weed.
Crucial to note that 40% of trial subjects were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
While marijuana might be a possible solution to excessive alcohol use, researchers warn that more study is required.
“It is premature to tell individuals in treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and replace marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author commented.
