Going California Sober: Research Indicates Cannabis May Help Cutting Down Drinking Consumption
Emerging research published in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach might significantly assist people lower their drink use.
Research Methodology and Controlled Environment Scenario
Researchers from Brown University carried out a novel experiment where participants were provided with marijuana joints to smoke before entering a specially designed simulated bar environment.
- Participants could choose to drink up to 8 mini alcoholic beverages.
- The experiment was repeated three separate times with different THC potencies: 7.2%, moderate potency, and a placebo marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with low light and beer taps to ensure subject authenticity.
“We wanted to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be highly motivated to drink,” stated the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Outcomes revealed a notable reduction in alcohol intake after participants used marijuana:
- Drink consumption dropped by 19% after consuming moderate-THC cannabis.
- Reduction was more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a 27% reduction versus the control.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has driven a significant rise in marijuana usage, which has doubled over the past decade.
Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a record low, with many opting for substitutes like marijuana.
It is important to note that forty percent of study participants were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
Although cannabis might be a potential alternative to excessive alcohol use, researchers caution that further research is needed.
“We’re not ready to tell individuals in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and replace marijuana, and it will work out for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
