Author: John Carter

Is It Bad to Mix Weed and Alcohol?

A recent study has also shown that those who consumed alcohol had much higher levels of THC in their bloodstream compared to a placebo group. So if you’re planning to detox from marijuana, drinking alcohol is not advised. When people drink and smoke marijuana together, alcohol increases the amount of THC that is absorbed into the body. While this means that people who use an alcohol and marijuana combination may report a “higher high,” the lows can also become amplified. So long as both substances are legal to possess and consume in your jurisdiction, then yes, they are legal to combine. However, the legality of both alcohol and cannabis varies by state and country.

Those who combined the two had reduced cognitive performance than those who only consumed alcohol. For example, you might feel like you’re good to drive, but your blood alcohol level may be well over the legal limit. If using weed does indeed slow the absorption of alcohol, it might also delay feelings of drunkenness. This might seem like a good thing, but it makes it harder to know how impaired you really are. While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease.

When mixing alcohol and edibles, even more caution may be required. Edibles produce a high that can be more potent and unpredictable at times – even for seasoned cannabis users. In addition, because of the delayed onset, it can be hard to gauge the effects of the edible in real time while also consuming alcohol. Edibles can also produce a very strong body high that can be lethargic and overly relaxing – much like the effect of consuming a large amount of alcohol.

1. Even if you’ve only had one or two drinks your driving can be significantly impaired, a problem that is worsened by the fact that alcohol tends to make people more confident about their ability to drive.
2. This means starting with small amounts of both substances and gradually increasing the dosage as needed.
3. This might seem like a good thing, but it makes it harder to know how impaired you really are.
4. Not everyone reacts in the same way to weed, alcohol, or a combination of both, and many factors play a role in how a person will respond.
5. Moreover, having a substance use disorder related to either drug increases the risk that a person will be diagnosed with some other mental health disorder.

Marijuana impacts areas of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, pleasure and perceiving time and senses. Alcohol is a depressant that affects the entire central nervous system, heavily impacting motor skills, judgment, cognition and memory. Alcohol can also cause people to feel more hungry than usual, which may lead them to overindulge on edibles.

The combination can also lead people to engage in unusual or risky behaviors. It is recognized that when treating an individual for any substance use disorder, all mental health conditions must be treated at the same time as the treatment for the substance abuse issue. For many of these individuals, this results in a long, complicated, and intense treatment program.

The Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Marijuana

While there’s some research around the effects of drinking alcohol before using weed, there isn’t much about the opposite approach. Drinking alcohol before using weed can ramp up the effects of THC. But if you’re sensitive to weed or don’t have much experience using it, it’s best to avoid mixing the two. It’s also important to remember that people can have very different reactions to the same mix of alcohol and weed. If you’re out in a group, one person’s reaction might be very different than yours. Too much of a good thing can be a real bummer, even if the worst thing that happens is a bad hangover (or a bad “weedover”).

However, as marijuana becomes legalized in many different states, research studies looking at the frequency of mixing these two drugs as well as the potential long-term effects of combining them will evolve. There are several important generalizations that can be made concerning combining these two drugs based on what is known about the effects of them individually from some research studies. There is no specific limit to how much alcohol and weed can be consumed together, as it varies depending on factors such as individual tolerance and the concentration of each substance. However, regardless of your experience level, it’s recommended to start low and go slow. Combining alcohol and cannabis can increase both substances’ potency and subjective effects, so take your time, exercise caution, and always consume responsibly.

How Alcohol Affects THC

When someone uses alcohol and marijuana together, they might start to notice they feel the effects of one (or both) much more quickly and more pronounced than otherwise. Drinking alcohol is ingrained in so many social situations, but most methods of cannabis consumption don’t work well as a replacement. Cannabis beverages, though, present a real alternative to alcoholic beverages that can fit into many of the same social settings. 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.

However, the body of existing research is likely to grow and evolve as more states begin to legalize marijuana use. While a marijuana overdose won’t kill you, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as severe nausea and vomiting, extreme paranoia, panic, trouble concentrating, and decreased coordination and muscle control. On the surface, weed appears to be safer, but there’s simply not enough evidence to declare a winner. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 15 million people in the United States deal with it.

What Are the Risks of Mixing Weed and Alcohol?

That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional. 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.

Starting low and going slow is important in avoiding any adverse effects of mixing weed and alcohol. This means starting with small amounts of both substances and gradually increasing the dosage as needed. It’s also necessary to be aware of safe consumption levels for each substance and avoid exceeding them. Hard liquor, with its concentrated alcohol content, can have particularly potent effects when combined with cannabis. This combo can lead to the most severe impairment and the highest risk of accidents and injuries. Therefore, you should be especially cautious about combining liquor and weed.

While being intoxicated with weed feels different than being intoxicated with alcohol, the two have roughly the same effect on your cognitive abilities, reflexes, and judgment. There are countless cannabis products on the market and a number of consumption options, from vaping to edibles. It might seem harmless to mix alcohol and weed, but doing so can be a slippery slope toward getting overly intoxicated.

On the other hand, spirits and hard liquor are distilled from fermented mixtures of grains, fruits, or vegetables, resulting in higher alcohol concentrations. Alcohol has long been a staple of social gatherings and celebrations, with millions of people consuming it regularly. In fact, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 85% of adults aged 18 or older reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime. Adolescents who use marijuana and alcohol together are more likely to develop drug and alcohol addiction, depression and other health and social problems .

Low to moderate doses can produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria, lower inhibitions, and make social situations more enjoyable (hence the term “liquid confidence”). However, higher doses can lead to impaired judgment, motor control, and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Meanwhile, as of 2023, medical cannabis is legal in 38 states, while recreational use is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. But while beer and weed may seem like a match made in heaven, combining the two can lead to unpredictable effects, including increased impairment and heightened risks of dangerous behavior.