California Sober: Study Indicates Marijuana May Help Reducing Drinking Intake

New research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that embracing a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method could substantially help individuals lower their drink use.

The Study and Bar Lab Setting

Researchers from Brown University carried out a novel study where volunteers were provided with marijuana joints to smoke before visiting a specially designed simulated bar environment.

• Participants had the option to drink up to eight mini alcoholic beverages.
• The experiment was repeated three separate times with varying tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: 7.2%, moderate potency, and a placebo marijuana.

Great care was taken to replicate a real-life bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to ensure subject realism.

“We wanted to ensure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to drink,” explained the lead researcher.

Significant Results and Effects on Drinking

Results showed a notable decrease in alcohol consumption after subjects smoked marijuana:

• Drink intake fell by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC cannabis.
• The drop was even more significant with high-THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent decrease versus the control.

Wider Trends and Future Research

Increased legalization has spurred a major surge in marijuana usage, which has doubled over the last ten years.

Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a historic low, with numerous individuals turning to substitutes like weed.

It is important to note that forty percent of trial participants were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.

While cannabis might be a possible solution to heavy drinking, researchers warn that more research is needed.

“We’re not ready to tell individuals seeking treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and substitute cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author noted.