Going California Sober: Research Indicates Cannabis Could Assist in Cutting Down Drinking Intake
New research published in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method could substantially assist people lower their alcohol use.
The Study and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University carried out a unique study where volunteers were provided with marijuana joints to consume before entering a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Subjects could choose to consume up to eight small drinks.
- The experiment was repeated on three occasions with varying tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: 7.2%, moderate potency, and a placebo cannabis.
Great care was taken to mimic a real-life bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to guarantee subject authenticity.
“We wanted to ensure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to drink,” explained the lead researcher.
Significant Results and Impact on Alcohol Use
Results revealed a marked decrease in alcohol intake after subjects smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption fell by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC cannabis.
- Reduction was even more pronounced with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent decrease versus the control.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has driven a major surge in cannabis usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
At the same time, alcohol use is at a record low, with numerous individuals turning to alternatives like weed.
It is important to note that 40% of trial participants were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
Although marijuana could serve as a potential alternative to excessive drinking, researchers caution that more research is required.
“We’re not ready to tell people seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and replace marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author noted.
