California Sober: Study Suggests Marijuana May Help Cutting Down Alcohol Intake
New research released in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that adopting a “California sober” approach might substantially help individuals lower their drink use.
The Study and Controlled Environment Scenario
Researchers from Brown University conducted a unique experiment where volunteers received cannabis cigarettes to smoke before entering a carefully constructed simulated bar environment.
- Participants had the option to drink up to eight small drinks.
- The trial was conducted on three occasions with varying tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a real-life bar atmosphere, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to guarantee subject authenticity.
“We wanted to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to drink,” stated the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Effects on Alcohol Use
Results showed a notable reduction in alcohol consumption after participants smoked cannabis:
- Drink consumption fell by 19% after consuming moderate-THC cannabis.
- Reduction was more pronounced with high-THC marijuana, leading to a 27% decrease versus the control.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Increased legalization has driven a major surge in cannabis consumption, which has doubled over the last ten years.
Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a record low, with numerous individuals opting for substitutes like weed.
Crucial to note that forty percent of study participants met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
Although cannabis might be a potential alternative to heavy drinking, researchers caution that more research is needed.
“It is premature to advise people in treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and replace cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher commented.