In other words, it makes it a lot easier to start “greening out” (feeling light-headed or nauseous after getting too intoxicated too quickly. Meanwhile, as of 2023, medical cannabis is legal in 38 states, while recreational use is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. But while beer and weed may seem like a match made in heaven, combining the two 14 celebrities in recovery can lead to unpredictable effects, including increased impairment and heightened risks of dangerous behavior. Edibles produce a high that can be more potent and unpredictable at times – even for seasoned cannabis users. In addition, because of the delayed onset, it can be hard to gauge the effects of the edible in real time while also consuming alcohol.
Mixing edibles with alcohol
As their drinking progresses, they might experience seizures, lose consciousness, vomit, and even slip into a coma and eventually die when their breathing slows past the point of safety. 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). Alcohol has long been a staple of social gatherings and celebrations, with millions of people consuming it regularly. In fact, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 85% of adults aged 18 or older reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime. But experts worry that products like weed drinks are becoming more popular than health research can keep up with, leaving big questions about how best to consume them and what impacts they may have on the brain and body. Cannabis-infused beverages are often branded as a healthier alternative to alcohol — “No painful days after drinking or regrets,” a tagline on Cann’s site reads.
Mental health problems
Alcohol and marijuana also affect the generation of an important brain wave called gamma. You might have heard of alpha and delta waves; gamma waves are also a type of brain wave that has a much higher frequency, i.e., from 30 to 200 Hz. We do not receive any substance dependence commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Tolerance is a well-documented contributing factor to developing an addiction because it encourages continued use of the substance in increasingly higher amounts over time.
- Anyone who’s had a little too much weed or alcohol can likely attest to slurred speech, passing out early, maybe stumbling over, and the like.
- Here’s what we know about how the alcohol and weed impact the body and mind.
- Both weed and alcohol, together and on their own, are also potentially addictive and can lead to dependence and misuse.
- In a small clinical study that was conducted in 2015, researchers studied the effects of combining alcohol with THC.
- At the end of the day, the combined effects of weed and alcohol are unpredictable and often dangerous.
- Another area of the brain, the hippocampus — which is responsible for memory formation — is altered from cannabis ingestion, possibly leading to memory impairment among users, based on studies that have mostly been limited to mice and animals.
The Effects of Marijuana
Getting drunk or high can feel similar to some people, while others describe the sensations as very different. Of course, the way you feel when you’re intoxicated also depends on how much of the substance you consume. Sure, research on the topic is ramping up a bit, but there’s still a lack of large, long-term studies. Before getting into comparing alcohol and weed, it’s important to understand some of the factors that make the comparison tricky. Cannabis and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down breathing, heart rate and brain function. While a marijuana overdose won’t kill you, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as severe nausea and vomiting, extreme paranoia, panic, trouble concentrating, and decreased coordination and muscle control.
As much as possible, know what you’re drinking and which cannabis you’re using, and let this factor into how much you consume of both. CBD does not have the psychotropic effects of THC, so consuming it with alcohol does not include the risk that you will experience heightened levels of intoxication from the alcohol. Drinking alcohol and getting high at the same time – sometimes known as “crossfading” – can enhance the effects of both and potentially lead to some real side effects. The way you consume weed can have a big impact on its short- and long-term effects. For example, smoking is rough on your lungs, but this risk doesn’t apply to edibles.
The feeling of being cross-faded can vary widely from person to person, with some describing a sense of euphoria and heightened effects. Rebel Coast, a California-based winemaker, makes cans of alcohol-free sparkling wine infused with 10 milligrams of THC. “Any dose of alcohol combined with cannab[…]els of THC in blood.” May 27, 2015. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals.
The withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, and detoxification can proceed at home. However, it may be useful to seek support from a 12-step community or to find some other source of strength. For instance, some might renew an interest in exercise or a hobby they’ve been neglecting.
Mixing alcohol and marijuana increases a person’s chances of greening out because alcohol increases blood levels of THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana. Weed use before alcohol may slow down the rise in blood alcohol levels, which can reduce or delay the sensation of being drunk. However, this finding comes from older research, and some people have questioned this does alcohol thin your blood effects and impact study. There is limited research available on the long-term effects of consuming alcohol alongside weed, which people also call marijuana or cannabis. 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.
Tishler emphasizes that understanding addiction is nuanced, and it can be helpful to distinguish addiction from dependence. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider. People’s responses to each substance can vary greatly, so what seems safer for one person might not work for someone else.