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Cannabis Use Linked to Reduced Alcohol Consumption, Study Finds
Cannabis users may drink significantly less alcohol, according to a new controlled study from Brown University that provides scientific evidence for what some users have long reported anecdotally.
Researchers from the university’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies conducted a randomized, controlled trial involving 157 adults aged 21 to 44 who reported both heavy drinking and regular cannabis use (at least bi-weekly). The study aimed to determine whether cannabis consumption affects alcohol craving and intake among regular users of both substances.
Participants completed three two-hour laboratory sessions where they received cannabis with different THC concentrations or a placebo. Following consumption, they could choose to drink alcohol or accept cash payments instead.
The results were striking. Those who smoked cannabis with higher THC levels (7.2%) consumed approximately 27% less alcohol than those who smoked a placebo. Participants who received a lower THC dose (3.1%) still showed a reduction in alcohol consumption of about 19%.
“In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours,” explained lead researcher Jane Metrik, Ph.D., professor of behavioral and social sciences at Brown’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, also found an immediate reduction in alcohol urges following cannabis use, though the effect on overall alcohol craving was less consistent.
“This suggests that cannabis may not exert a uniform effect on alcohol motivation, and that other mechanisms may also explain how cannabis impacts subsequent alcohol use,” Metrik noted.
The findings align with current market trends showing declining alcohol sales in regions where cannabis has become more accessible, according to Marcel Bonn-Miller, Ph.D., a cannabis researcher with Ajna BioSciences in Colorado, who was not involved in the study.
However, the researchers emphasized several limitations to their work. The study tested only THC in smoked cannabis, so results may not apply to the wide variety of cannabis products available today. Additionally, since participants were nearly daily cannabis users, the effects might differ in less frequent consumers.
The short-term nature of the study also raises questions about whether the reduced alcohol consumption would persist outside the laboratory environment or over extended periods. Importantly, the researchers did not examine the effects of simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol.
Riana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, praised the study’s rigorous design while noting its limitations. “Overall, the experimental design is a rare feature in this area of research because it can be logistically difficult to give people cannabis in the lab (given its federal Schedule I status), so this is a really unique study,” she said.
Despite the promising findings, the researchers strongly cautioned against recommending cannabis as a substitute for alcohol, particularly for those with alcohol use disorder. The long-term health effects and addiction risks associated with cannabis remain uncertain.
“Our study is a first step, and we need more long-term research before drawing conclusions for public health,” Metrik emphasized. “We do not have clear evidence of long-term safety and efficacy of using cannabis as alcohol treatment. For now, I would not recommend using cannabis to cut down on alcohol use.”
For individuals already substituting cannabis for alcohol, Metrik advises close monitoring of use patterns and awareness of potential cannabis use disorder. She also encourages consideration of evidence-based treatments for alcohol problems.
The study connects to the emerging “California sober” trend, where some individuals use cannabis to reduce consumption of other substances. However, Durrett cautions that while the short-term reduction in alcohol use is promising, “it might be easy to believe that using cannabis instead of alcohol is a win, but we really don’t know if that is true or not from the current research.”
The researchers call for additional studies to evaluate clinically relevant outcomes, particularly among people seeking treatment for alcohol use disorders, and to explore whether other cannabis consumption methods beyond smoking show similar effects.
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14 Comments
As someone who has struggled with alcohol addiction in the past, I find this research quite hopeful. If cannabis can genuinely help reduce excessive drinking, that could be a game-changer for many people. Of course, moderation and professional support are still key.
I’m glad to hear this research resonates with you and your personal experience. Responsible use of cannabis may indeed offer a valuable tool for addressing alcohol abuse, but as you note, should be part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Interesting study on how cannabis use can reduce alcohol consumption. I wonder if the effects are long-term or just temporary. Curious to see if this could help address alcohol abuse issues.
Yes, the potential public health implications are intriguing. More research is needed on the long-term impacts and effectiveness for treating alcoholism.
I’m a bit skeptical about this study. While the results are significant, I wonder how representative the sample was and whether the effects would hold true for the general population of heavy drinkers. More research is needed to validate these findings.
That’s a fair point. The sample size was relatively small, and the participants were specifically chosen for being both heavy drinkers and regular cannabis users. Broader studies would help determine the broader applicability of these results.
While the study findings are intriguing, I’m not convinced that promoting cannabis use is the answer to alcohol abuse. There are likely safer and more effective ways to help people struggling with excessive drinking. We need to be cautious about unintended consequences.
I agree. Relying on cannabis as a solution to alcohol problems could create new problems. A more holistic, evidence-based approach to addiction treatment and prevention would be preferable to simply swapping one substance for another.
This is an interesting study, but I worry about promoting cannabis use as a solution to alcohol problems. Both substances carry risks, and replacing one addiction with another isn’t necessarily the best approach. More holistic strategies for addressing the root causes of addiction would be preferable.
That’s a fair point. Simply substituting one substance for another doesn’t necessarily address the underlying issues driving addictive behaviors. A more comprehensive approach focused on overall health and well-being would likely be more effective in the long run.
This aligns with anecdotal reports I’ve heard from cannabis users. It’s good to see scientific evidence backing up those claims. Moderation is key with any substance, but if cannabis can curb excessive drinking, that could be very beneficial.
Agreed. Responsible use of cannabis may offer a safer alternative for some heavy drinkers looking to cut back on alcohol. The study provides an interesting starting point for further exploration.
This is an intriguing finding, but I have some concerns about the potential for unintended consequences. Could increased cannabis use lead to new health issues or other societal problems? We’d need to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
That’s a valid concern. Any potential benefits would need to be balanced against potential risks. A comprehensive assessment of the public health implications would be essential before advocating for wider use of cannabis as an alcohol substitute.