The researchers state that a critical factor to determine is whether or not the differences between users and non-users were provoked by exposure to alcohol or if these issues were present beforehand. At the same time, CBD can have a relaxing, sedative effect, which could potentially be heightened if taking a depressant like alcohol. Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Other forms of cannabis, including edibles, can also interact with alcohol to cause most of the same risks as smoking cannabis. Edibles are foods that contain marijuana or its active ingredients, such as THC. Research indicates that there is an association between frequent heavy alcohol use and poor mental health, including psychological distress and low life satisfaction. Both weed and alcohol, together and on tom arnold stroke their own, are also potentially addictive and can lead to dependence and misuse. But if you’ve been drinking a lot, it might be hard to tell the difference between a green out and alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening if not treated.
Can You Overdose On Alcohol & Marijuana?
If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately. If you do not have access cymbalta withdrawal timeline to a phone contact Web Poison Control Services for online assistance. Cannabis and alcohol intersect at countless get-togethers – and nights kicking back at home. If you are mixing the two, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind.
What happens when you use weed before drinking?
Using similar methodology, a second study suggested that plasma THC levels were significantly increased when subjects first consumed alcohol [72]. Compared to placebo, the combination of a low cannabis dose (2.53% THC) and low alcohol dose (0.35 g/kg) increased the number and duration of positive subjective effects, and resulted in higher plasma levels of THC. The effects of alcohol and THC were evaluated alone, and in combination, across separate sessions, in a within-subjects, randomized, double-blind design. The authors reported no evidence for synergistic effects of acute combinations of very-low-dose alcohol and THC on subjective or physiologic response, or on cognitive performance.
Potential for misuse
There is a substantial body of research examining the efficacy of pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatments for alcohol [84–88] or cannabis use disorders [78, 89–92]. To date, however, there is little research evaluating the efficacy of interventions specifically for the co-use of cannabis and alcohol. These symptoms can be even more intense if the marijuana is consumed as an edible. When marijuana is baked into or added to food and then eaten, it takes time for the food to digest and for the user to start experiencing effects.
In 1991, only 2 percent of fatal car accidents involved drinking out of boredom drivers impaired by THC and alcohol. In 2008, more than 10 percent of fatal crashes were caused by drivers under the influence of both drugs. Mixing alcohol and marijuana increases a person’s chances of greening out because alcohol increases blood levels of THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana.
- “Overall, we did not find support for specific concentrated products increasing the odds of a negative consequence; indeed, our most consistent finding was for using multiple alcohol products and negative consequences,” they wrote.
- Ten minutes later, they used a vaporizer to inhale either a low or a high dose of THC.
- Plus, they’re unique substances that produce different effects, which makes side-by-side comparisons difficult.
- Weed may appear to be safer than alcohol simply because we aren’t yet aware of certain risks.
- Remember, consuming weed and alcohol together can make you feel either more or less intoxicated than you would if you were using just one or the other.
- This may allow the lungs to absorb more THC when someone smokes marijuana.
This delayed onset may cause the user to consume more than intended, creating a longer, more intense high. In extreme cases of consuming edibles, people have experienced hallucinations, delusions, and other psychotic reactions. Using marijuana before drinking alcohol may make it difficult to gauge how intoxicated the user is from alcohol, potentially leading to dangerous situations like driving under the influence.
Marijuana and alcohol are the two most commonly used drugs in the nation, and people often use the substances together. Individuals who choose to mix the two should keep track of how much alcohol and weed they consume. A 2019 study supports this, finding that those who use alcohol and weed simultaneously are likely to drink more alcohol more frequently. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes people to produce more urine. Over several hours, this can lead them to become dehydrated, as they lose more fluid than they take in. If you want to mix the two, pay careful attention to how much of each you’re consuming, especially if you’ve never mixed them before.
Taken together, alcohol and cannabis can compound these side effects of one another, so it is imperative that you stay hydrated if you are consuming alcohol or cannabis – together or on their own. The way you consume weed can have a big impact on its short- and long-term effects. For example, smoking is rough on your lungs, but this risk doesn’t apply to edibles. Among people who drink alcohol, marijuana is the most frequently used substance alongside alcohol.1 It can be potentially dangerous for individuals to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana at the same time or one after the other.
Someone drinking alcohol may experience slurred speech, distorted vision and hearing, drowsiness, and nausea and vomiting. Alcohol poisoning can also occur, which can be deadly if not treated. Long-term alcohol use can result in heart-related diseases, liver disease, and unintentional injuries. The risk of injuries can be increased when someone chooses to mix alcohol and marijuana.
An interaction between ethanol and THC was observed, however, on ratings of desire to consume more of the administered drug. THC, when combined with ethanol, decreased the elevated ratings of wanting more ethanol after ethanol administration. Consequently, THC may either dampen ethanol’s effects or replace desire for more. More laboratory work is needed to examine how cannabis affects motivation to use alcohol and vice versa. Recent research has employed advanced simulated driving methods to assess the effects of cannabis and alcohol co-use. Hartman and colleagues [70•] investigated the effect of cannabis on driving with and without alcohol on THC blood concentrations in a within-subject study with six conditions.
As with the short-term effects of alcohol and weed, the long-term effects differ from person to person. The short-term effects of weed and alcohol differ from person to person. While it’s not entirely clear why drinking alcohol makes weed more potent, it may be because of the way alcohol affects blood vessels. This may allow the lungs to absorb more THC when someone smokes marijuana. There is limited research available on the long-term effects of consuming alcohol alongside weed, which people also call marijuana or cannabis. Remember, consuming weed after drinking alcohol might make you feel less intoxicated, which can lead you to drink more than you usually would.