Alcohol is a depressant that causes the brain and central nervous system to slow down. It primarily affects the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which inhibits brain activity, leading to the familiar sensations of relaxation and lowered inhibitions. Alcohol also boosts dopamine levels, which can enhance feelings of pleasure. Smoking weed or eating edibles and drinking alcohol will delay that tipsy feeling, making it much more likely that you’ll drink too much. Pay very close attention to how many drinks you’ve had — mark it down or send yourself a text every time you start a new drink so you can easily count how many you’ve had. Marijuana’s high comes when the psychoactive delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects the cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells in the brain.
Drunk driving, self-harm: the other risks of mixing marijuana and alcohol
Chemically speaking, alcohol is a broad term that refers to a class of organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group. prozac withdrawal timeline The most common type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which is produced through the fermentation of sugars and starches found in various crops like grapes, grains, and potatoes. Weed use before alcohol may slow down the rise in blood alcohol levels, which can reduce or delay the sensation of being drunk.
- One of the major components of marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), was found to reduce anxiety in clinical trial subjects.
- While it can refer to multiple substances, being cross-faded usually means consuming alcohol and weed together or being drunk and high at the same time.
- Drinking alcohol is ingrained in so many social situations, but most methods of cannabis consumption don’t work well as a replacement.
- Healthcare professionals, such as doctors or addiction specialists, can offer personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.
During three experimental sessions, participants consumed beverages with three separate alcohol doses (placebo, 0.35, and 0.7 g/kg) and smoked cannabis corresponding to their assigned cannabis group 30 min later. Cannabis slowed the absorption of alcohol, and subsequently reduced the psychoactive effects of alcohol, ultimately suggesting that cannabis may change the bioavailability of alcohol. Using similar methodology, a second study suggested that plasma THC levels were significantly increased when subjects first consumed alcohol 72. Compared to placebo, the combination of a low cannabis dose (2.53% THC) and low alcohol dose (0.35 g/kg) increased the number and duration of positive subjective effects, and resulted in higher plasma levels of THC. In contrast, the low cannabis dose combined with a high alcohol dose (0.7 g/kg) dampened the rise in plasma alcohol levels and ultimately decreased the number and duration of positive subjective effects despite the high peak in THC plasma levels. The effects of alcohol and THC were evaluated alone, and in combination, across separate sessions, in a within-subjects, randomized, double-blind design.
Though these effects can be terrifying they are relatively benign, as long as the person can be kept from making any rash decisions while in this state, and usually dissipate after an hour or so. Heavy users report contracting a wheeze and will often experience coughing fits upon inhaling the smoke. When the psychoactive effects set in, users find that new side effects can emerge. Marijuana is used by people from all walks of life and is the second most popular psychoactive drug, after alcohol.
Amount of Time Between Use
It is never advised to operate a vehicle or machinery while under the influence of either alcohol or cannabis. THC-infused beverages present a fantastic opportunity for cannabis consumers who would like an experience similar to drinking alcohol (but without any actual alcohol being involved). 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.
However, the body of existing research is likely to grow and evolve as more states begin to legalize marijuana use. If you want to mix the two, pay careful attention to how much of each you’re consuming, especially if you’ve never mixed them before. If you use weed before drinking, pay extra attention to how much you’ve had to drink.
This is important to note, as many people don’t consider how this combination could impact their body’s metabolism and ability to remove these substances from your body. When you mix weed and alcohol, you may experience side effects that range from unpleasant to serious. Generally, combining alcohol and weed won’t lead to serious health issues unless too much of the two substances is consumed.
Potential Risks
Remember, consuming weed after drinking alcohol might make you feel less intoxicated, which can lead you to drink more than you usually would. If you’ve mixed weed and alcohol and are having a bad reaction, it’s probably because alcohol seems to make the high from using weed stronger. This can happen any time you’ve consumed to much weed — with or without alcohol. Weed appeared to slow down the rise of blood alcohol levels after consuming a high dose of alcohol. But if you’re sensitive to weed or don’t have much experience using it, it’s best to avoid mixing the two. Occasionally mixing alcohol and weed — also known as crossfading — likely won’t lead to major health problems.
This might seem like a good thing, but it makes it harder to know how impaired you really are. For example, a 1992 study had 15 participants smoke a placebo, a high dose of THC, or a low dose of THC on three occasions. On each occasion, they’d rank a different dose of alcohol, including a placebo, as a low dose or a high dose. The researchers found significantly higher peak THC levels among participants who had alcohol versus those who had a placebo. If you use Cymbalta for depression, be aware it may worsen your depression symptoms. If you deal with increased depression when you take it, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away.
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. When taking Cymbalta, avoid alcohol and other substances that can increase drowsiness, such as sedatives or muscle relaxers. Combining these can heighten side effects like dizziness, impaired coordination, and cognitive issues. Always check with your doctor before using any new medication or supplement. A 1979 clinical trial published in Psychopharmacology suggests that mixing CBD and alcohol causes severely impaired motor function and distorted time perception.