California Sober: Research Indicates Marijuana May Help Cutting Down Alcohol Intake
New scientific investigation published in the prestigious psychiatry journal suggests that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach could substantially help individuals lower their drink use.
The Study and Controlled Environment Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a unique experiment where participants received marijuana joints to consume before visiting a specially designed simulated bar environment.
- Subjects could choose to drink up to 8 mini alcoholic beverages.
- The experiment was conducted three separate times with different tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: high potency, 3.1%, and a placebo cannabis.
Significant effort was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to guarantee participant authenticity.
“We wanted to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the principal investigator.
Key Findings and Impact on Drinking
Outcomes showed a notable decrease in alcohol consumption after subjects smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption fell by nineteen percent after using moderate-THC cannabis.
- The drop was even more significant with high-THC cannabis, leading to a 27% decrease versus the placebo.
Broader Context and Future Research
Increased legalization has spurred a significant rise in marijuana usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a record low, with numerous individuals opting for alternatives like weed.
Crucial to note that forty percent of trial subjects met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
Although cannabis might be a potential solution to excessive alcohol use, scientists warn that more research is required.
“It is premature to advise people in treatment for alcohol, ‘Proceed and replace cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author commented.
