Going California Sober: Research Indicates Marijuana May Assist in Cutting Down Alcohol Consumption
New scientific investigation published in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach might significantly help individuals lower their drink consumption.
The Study and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where volunteers received cannabis cigarettes to consume before entering a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Subjects had the option to consume up to 8 small drinks.
- The experiment was conducted three separate times with different tetrahydrocannabinol levels: 7.2%, moderate potency, and a placebo marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to mimic a real-life bar environment, complete with dim lighting and beer taps to guarantee participant realism.
“Our goal was to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to drink,” explained the lead researcher.
Key Findings and Impact on Alcohol Use
Outcomes showed a marked reduction in drink consumption after subjects smoked cannabis:
- Drink intake dropped by nineteen percent after using moderate-THC marijuana.
- The drop was more pronounced with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a 27% reduction versus the control.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has driven a significant rise in marijuana consumption, which has increased twofold over the past decade.
Meanwhile, drink use is at a record low, with numerous individuals turning to substitutes like weed.
It is important to note that forty percent of study participants met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
While cannabis could serve as a possible solution to heavy alcohol use, researchers caution that more research is needed.
“We’re not ready to advise individuals seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and replace cannabis, and it will work out for you,’” the lead researcher commented.
