Does smoking cannabis reduce alcohol cravings according to the Brown University study?

Yes, the study found an immediate decrease in the urge to drink alcohol after participants smoked cannabis.

What percentage less alcohol did participants drink after smoking cannabis?

Participants with higher THC cannabis smoked about 27% less alcohol; those with lower THC smoked about 19% less.

Should people with alcohol-use disorder use cannabis as a substitute, per the study?

No, researchers caution against recommending cannabis as an alcohol substitute due to uncertain long-term effects and addiction risks.

Home / Health / Cannabis Cuts Alcohol Use: New Study Reveals Trend

Cannabis Cuts Alcohol Use: New Study Reveals Trend

2 Dec

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Summary

Cannabis with higher THC levels reduced alcohol consumption by 27%.
Immediate reduction in alcohol urges was noted after smoking cannabis.
Researchers caution against using cannabis as an alcohol substitute currently.

Cannabis Cuts Alcohol Use: New Study Reveals Trend

A groundbreaking study from Brown University suggests a notable link between cannabis consumption and reduced alcohol intake, particularly among young adults. The research, involving participants aged 21-44 who were heavy drinkers and regular cannabis users, found that smoking cannabis with higher THC content led to a significant decrease in alcohol consumption and an immediate reduction in the urge to drink.

Specifically, participants who consumed cannabis with 7.2% THC drank approximately 27% less alcohol over a two-hour period. Those exposed to a 3.1% THC strain also showed a reduction, consuming about 19% less alcohol. This aligns with the emerging "California sober" trend, where individuals substitute cannabis for alcohol.

However, researchers emphasize that these findings are preliminary. They caution that the study tested only one cannabinoid (THC) in smoked form and did not examine long-term effects or use in real-world settings. They do not recommend cannabis as a treatment for alcohol-use disorder, highlighting the need for more extensive research into its safety and efficacy.