California Sober: Study Indicates Marijuana Could Assist in Cutting Down Alcohol Consumption
New scientific investigation released in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that embracing a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method might substantially assist people reduce their drink use.
The Study and Bar Lab Scenario
A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where participants received cannabis cigarettes to consume before visiting a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Participants could choose to consume up to eight small drinks.
- The trial was repeated three separate times with different tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a placebo cannabis.
Significant effort was taken to mimic a authentic bar atmosphere, complete with dim lighting and beer taps to ensure participant realism.
“Our goal was to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” explained the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Results revealed a notable decrease in alcohol intake after participants used cannabis:
- Alcohol intake fell by nineteen percent after using moderate-THC cannabis.
- The drop was even more pronounced with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a 27% decrease compared to the control.
Broader Context and Additional Studies
Increased legal access has driven a significant rise in marijuana consumption, which has doubled over the past decade.
At the same time, alcohol use is at a historic low, with numerous individuals opting for substitutes like weed.
It is important to note that forty percent of study subjects were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
While marijuana might be a potential solution to heavy alcohol use, researchers warn that further research is needed.
“It is premature to advise individuals seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and replace cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
