Science Confirms Side Effects of Mixing Weed and Alcohol
In search of the difference between alcohol and weed, some individuals try to use these two drugs together. However, getting high on weed and alcohol at the same time may cause side effects that are not investigated enough by scientists. Fortunately, there are a few scientific studies that can help us understand the biology behind the effects of using these two substances.
Getting Too Intoxicated
Some people like to mix cannabis and alcohol for the unique high these drugs give them. The idea of having a new experience inspires many cannabis users, though some of them regret it later. Intoxicated with alcohol, new users cannot make rational decisions anymore and tend to consume marijuana beyond their tolerance.
Moreover, using cannabis before alcohol may stimulate stoners to drink more beer, which may lead to alcohol poisoning. Scientists from the University of Chicago discovered that cannabis had an antiemetic effect that prevented intoxicated people from vomiting. While this effect may be beneficial for cancer patients who cannot eat food after chemotherapy, drunk people may have problems with expelling the excess of alcohol.
Increased THC Absorption
We have already mentioned that mixing marijuana and alcohol can intensify your high. Though cannabis slows the body down and alcohol relaxes the central nervous system, it is very difficult to predict the final effect you will get. Researchers have already revealed that alcohol in your system may lead to faster absorption of THC in your blood.
In 2015, Clinical Chemistry published a study that investigated the results of simultaneous consumption of weed and alcohol. The researchers asked 32 weed users to drink placebo or low-dose alcohol ten minutes before inhaling placebo, low-dose THC, or high-dose THC marijuana. The study findings showed that cannabis-alcohol participants had significantly higher values of THC in blood than those who did not take alcohol.
Moreover, according to Australia National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC), low-tolerance people may feel anxiety, panic, or paranoia caused by the combination of weed and alcohol.
Side Effects for Driving
Scientists at the Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut, investigated the effect of marijuana on driving compared with alcohol. The study results revealed that simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol could increase the negative effects of these two drugs and make driving more dangerous than driving under the influence of either alone.
A national alcohol survey published by the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research compared the concurrent and simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana. During the study, the researchers investigated more than 8,600 people divided into three groups. The first group of participants consumed only alcohol in the previous year. The second group used both cannabis and alcohol separately, while the last group included people who consumed both alcohol and weed simultaneously. The third group appeared to use the largest amount of these drugs in the most frequent pattern. The scientist concluded that cannabis doctors and producers should start warning people that mixing marijuana and alcohol elevates the risk of drunk driving, harming themselves and other people.
Unpredictable Effects
While the separate effects of cannabis and alcohol have been investigated, scientists still know little about the combined effects of these two drugs. Moreover, the effect of simultaneous use of weed and alcohol can vary from person to person. Some users may become poisoned or knocked out, while others will have a great experience without any downsides. However, most scientists do not recommend you to mix weed with any substances, as they can intensify the downsides and lead to negative consequences.
