California Sober: Study Suggests Marijuana Could Assist in Cutting Down Drinking Consumption
New research released in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that embracing a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach could significantly help individuals lower their drink use.
Research Methodology and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University carried out a novel experiment where participants were provided with cannabis cigarettes to consume before entering a specially designed simulated bar environment.
- Participants had the option to drink up to 8 mini alcoholic beverages.
- The trial was repeated on three occasions with different tetrahydrocannabinol levels: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to mimic a authentic bar environment, complete with low light and beer taps to ensure subject 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 revealed a marked reduction in alcohol intake after subjects smoked cannabis:
- Alcohol intake dropped by nineteen percent after consuming 3.1% THC marijuana.
- Reduction was even more significant with high-THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction compared to the placebo.
Wider Trends and Future Research
Expanded legalization has driven a significant rise in cannabis consumption, which has doubled over the past decade.
Meanwhile, drink use is at a historic low, with many turning to alternatives like marijuana.
Crucial to note that 40% of study subjects were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
While marijuana might be a possible alternative to excessive alcohol use, scientists caution that more study is needed.
“It is premature to advise people in treatment for alcohol, ‘Proceed and substitute marijuana, and it will work out for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
