A recent study from Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research has discovered that some cannabis users tend to drink less alcohol. The researchers aimed to understand the relationship between cannabis use and alcohol craving, especially in individuals who consume alcohol heavily.
This study involved 157 adults between 21 and 44 years old, all of whom were regular cannabis users (at least bi-weekly) and reported heavy drinking habits. Notably, alcohol-related deaths have surged recently, particularly among women.
During the controlled study, participants went through three two-hour sessions where they used different types of cannabis. They were given either one of two THC levels or a placebo, followed by the option to drink alcohol or receive cash instead. Those who inhaled cannabis with higher THC (7.2%) consumed around 27% less alcohol compared to those who received the placebo and reported a drop in their desire to drink right after.
Participants using cannabis with 3.1% THC drank approximately 19% less alcohol. Dr. Jane Metric, lead author of the study, commented on the findings: “After smoking marijuana, people in our bar study consumed about a quarter less alcohol in the subsequent two hours.”
However, the effect of cannabis on alcohol cravings was mixed. While participants experienced an immediate decrease in cravings after using cannabis, the researchers did not find consistent effects regarding other measures of alcohol motivation. This implies that cannabis’s influence on alcohol consumption may not be straightforward, and there could be additional factors at play.
The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry last month.
Risks and Limitations
The researchers acknowledged some constraints in the study. It focused solely on THC from smoked cannabis, which may not apply to all cannabis products or formulations. Additionally, participants reported frequent cannabis use, suggesting that those who consume less regularly might behave differently when it comes to alcohol.
The study did not assess the combined effects of marijuana and alcohol usage, and because the research was short-term and conducted in a controlled environment, it’s uncertain whether reduced alcohol consumption would persist outside of the lab setting.
Moreover, the researchers cautioned that the findings do not mean cannabis can be recommended as an alternative to alcohol for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders, mainly due to the ongoing uncertainties about cannabis’s long-term health effects and potential for addiction.
Dr. Marcel Bonmiller from Ajna BioSciences pointed to the study’s relevance to current market trends, noting that as THC becomes more accessible, alcohol sales appear to be declining. Other researchers highlighted the importance of studying various cannabis products as potential substitutes for alcohol in the future.
Leanna Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute, praised the study’s design and emphasized its uniqueness given the challenges of conducting cannabis research under its legal status. The findings are in line with trends where cannabis may help reduce reliance on other substances. Yet, the exact long-term impacts of using cannabis instead of alcohol remain unclear. Experts agree that using one substance in place of another could have unpredictable consequences.
Ultimately, further research is required to explore long-term outcomes concerning alcohol and cannabis use, especially among those seeking treatment for alcohol-related issues.
