Weed and Alcohol Dangers of Mixing Marijuana and Alcohol

However, order of substance use did not predict alcohol-related consequences. This work—in addition to that conducted by others31,37,38,40—suggests there are clinically meaningful distinctions in the prediction of alcohol use versus alcohol-related problems. Even when cannabis effects are accounted for in the statistical models, alcohol quantity appears to largely drive the association between co-use (or simultaneous use) and alcohol-related consequences. In other words, the number of drinks consumed in a day or during a drinking event seems to be a more robust predictor of consequences experienced than order of substance use or co-use versus alcohol use only. However, given that prior work has suggested that co-use may lead to increased alcohol consumption, the association between co-use and consequences may be indirectly driven by number of drinks consumed.

Between-person differences (i.e., user characteristics) are essential to consider as moderators of the impact of co-use or cannabis use on alcohol-related outcomes. One particularly prominent user characteristic is the use of cannabis for medical or recreational reasons. Despite this insufficient evidence, the majority of states have legalized cannabis for medical use, and a number of individuals report using cannabis for medical purposes or assume cannabis has potential health benefits for a variety of physical and mental health conditions. If you’re researching the safety of mixing marijuana and alcohol, you may come across the term “greening out.” It refers to a person feeling sick after smoking marijuana. This can happen with marijuana use on its own, but with an alcohol and marijuana combination, it’s more likely to happen due to the higher THC levels when you drink. Getting drunk from alcohol and high from Marijuana at the same time is often referred to as being cross-faded.

1. Further complicating the relationships among cannabis, alcohol, and driving, while an alcohol breathalyzer can be used to measure approximate blood alcohol concentrations in potentially impaired drivers, no acceptable roadside test exists for assessing recent cannabis use.
2. Depending on the method in which Marijuana is consumed, the user can start feeling effects within minutes.
3. Be mindful of your tolerance for both substances and how much alcohol you consume.

An alcohol overdose can lead to serious health consequences or even death. Others may drink alcohol before smoking marijuana to purposefully intensify the effects of weed. THC-infused beverages present a fantastic opportunity for cannabis consumers who would like an experience similar to drinking alcohol (but without any actual alcohol being involved). Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed substances worldwide, with millions of people drinking it daily. Chemically speaking, alcohol is a broad term that refers to a class of organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group. The most common type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which is produced through the fermentation of sugars and starches found in various crops like grapes, grains, and potatoes.

Marijuana and alcohol are the two most commonly used drugs in the nation, and people often use the substances together. Both weed and alcohol, together and on their own, are also potentially addictive and can lead to dependence and misuse. If you take medication, talk to your doctor before using weed, alcohol, or both. They may weaken the effectiveness of your medication or increase your risk for certain side effects. 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. When mixing weed and alcohol, there are a lot of other variables to consider in addition to which one you use first.

Overdose Risk of Drinking While Taking Marijuana

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or marijuana addiction, help is available. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. The cannabis market is constantly evolving, but as of 2023, THC-infused alcoholic beverages are still hard to find in most markets. That may change in the future, but for now, there are a growing number of THC-infused beverages without alcohol. Well, first off, keep in mind that using both substances together can produce unique effects on the human body, and it’s vital to use them in moderation and with caution.

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Using social media addiction symptoms simultaneously also increases the chances of having unprotected sex with a partner, as well as other negative outcomes relating to legal issues, academia, and relationships. At the end of the day, the combined effects of weed and alcohol are unpredictable and often dangerous. A 2001 study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence showed that when people drank the equivalent of two shots of alcohol and smoked marijuana, their THC levels were almost double that of individuals who hadn’t had any alcohol. Keep in mind that combining the two may be linked to a decline in cognitive function and an increased risk of dependence.

Weed Drinks Are a Buzzy Alcohol Substitute. But Are They Safe?

To date, research in this area has been constrained by a relatively low dose of cannabis administered relative to cannabis with much higher THC potency commonly in use today [46]. This increased potency has been implicated in worse behavioral outcomes including increased alcohol intoxication, yet has been largely left unstudied. This type of research is difficult to conduct, however, due to the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance that restricts researcher access to cannabis products [102]. Other laboratory research has been used to examine driving-related skills and performance following co-administration of both alcohol and cannabis.

Weed Hangovers: Causes, Prevention & Relief

Although this review is organized by studies of treatment-seeking or treatment-engaged samples versus those that are not, treatment status itself does not seem to be a clear moderator or indicator of whether cannabis acts as a substitute or complement to alcohol. Estimating https://sober-house.org/ intoxication can be challenging when combining alcohol and cannabis, but several tips and tricks can help. These include monitoring the number of drinks consumed, pacing consumption over time, and using tools like breathalyzers or blood tests to measure alcohol levels.