Author: Alex Thompson

Weed & Alcohol: Here’s What Happens When You Mix Them

Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. One of the main active ingredients in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC acts on cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which can lead to cognitive effects and impairments. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.

The researchers state that a critical factor to determine is whether or not the differences between users and non-users were provoked by exposure to alcohol or if these issues were present beforehand. If you use weed before drinking, pay extra attention to how much you’ve had to drink. To err on the side of caution, assume you’ve had a bit more to drink than you actually have, or aim to drink less than you usually would without using weed. While this might be nice for some folks, it can cause others to green out. This refers to a range of unpleasant physical symptoms that can result from a strong high.

As a result, they may end up in a risky situation or use poor judgment, such as driving with a blood alcohol level that is far above the legal limit. People commonly combine marijuana (commonly referred to as “weed”) and alcohol, and as marijuana becomes legal for recreational purposes in many states, this practice is likely to increase. Both of these drugs have many similar effects, but act through different mechanisms. When these drugs are combined, particularly at high doses, the effects of both drugs are enhanced, and this can lead to some significant issues. Smoking weed after drinking alcohol may intensify the effects of weed. The reason behind this is that alcohol increases the absorption of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main psychoactive component in cannabis.

Mental health problems

But while most people drink and smoke pot at the same time to enhance their buzz, mixing the two drugs isn’t always a pleasant experience. Other forms of cannabis, including edibles, can also interact with alcohol to cause most of the same risks as smoking cannabis. Edibles are foods that contain marijuana or its active ingredients, such as THC. Not everyone reacts in the same way to weed, alcohol, or a combination of both, and many factors play a role in how a person will respond. However, it is helpful to understand the possible outcomes of mixing these drugs. Addiction is serious, and it’s important for individuals to know how to recognize the signs of addiction and dependence in themselves or their loved ones.

1. People commonly combine marijuana (commonly referred to as “weed”) and alcohol, and as marijuana becomes legal for recreational purposes in many states, this practice is likely to increase.
2. Both of these drugs have many similar effects, but act through different mechanisms.
3. While it’s not entirely clear why drinking alcohol makes weed more potent, it may be because of the way alcohol affects blood vessels.

Those who consumed just alcohol had worse cognitive functioning than those who only consumed THC. Those who combined the two had reduced cognitive performance than those who only consumed alcohol. Still, there’s some evidence to suggest that regularly combining alcohol and weed may have some concerning effects over time. At the end of the day, the combined effects of weed and alcohol are unpredictable and often dangerous. Marijuana and alcohol are the two most commonly used drugs in the nation, and people often use the substances together.

However, as marijuana becomes legalized in many different states, research studies looking at the frequency of mixing these two drugs as well as the potential long-term effects of combining them will evolve. There are several important generalizations that can be made concerning combining these two drugs based on what is known about the effects of them individually from some research studies. Alcohol and marijuana are both psychoactive substances, meaning they can change the way a person thinks and feels. Mixing the two can intensify these mind-altering effects, increase the risks of driving drunk and make a person sick. Weed appeared to slow down the rise of blood alcohol levels after consuming a high dose of alcohol.

What to consider when mixing cannabis and alcohol

Turns out, you might not need much alcohol to change the way your body absorbs THC. The American Psychological Association suggest that adolescents’ developing brains are especially vulnerable to long-term damage from weed use. However, the body of existing research is likely to grow and evolve as more states begin to legalize marijuana use.

When mixing alcohol and edibles, even more caution may be required. 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. Edibles can also produce a very strong body high that can be lethargic and overly relaxing – much like the effect of consuming a large amount of alcohol. Surprisingly, the body of research that investigates chronic use of mixing cannabis products with alcohol is not well developed.

Mixing Weed and Alcohol: Effects and Risks

Because it’s a depressant, it immediately affects the individual’s reaction time, coordination, vision and ability to accurately assess risks and read situations. Panic attacks, fainting, and vomiting can be very distressing reactions to cannabis, however, they are likely to improve within several hours. Medical attention is necessary if symptoms are serious or there is a concern of alcohol poisoning. Other research suggests that, if weed slows your body’s rate of alcohol absorption, then it may delay the feeling of being drunk. This may cause you to make unsafe decisions, especially if you’re unaware of your impairment level.

What Happens When You Mix Weed and Alcohol?

For example, you might feel like you’re good to drive, but your blood alcohol level may be well over the legal limit. If using weed does indeed slow the absorption of alcohol, it might also delay feelings of drunkenness. 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. Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term.

When someone uses alcohol and marijuana together, they might start to notice they feel the effects of one (or both) much more quickly and more pronounced than otherwise. Individuals who choose to mix the two should keep track of how much alcohol and weed they consume. A 2019 study supports this, finding that those who use alcohol and weed simultaneously are likely to drink more alcohol more frequently. Weed and alcohol together can also impair reaction times and other cognitive functions necessary for safe driving. Research indicates that there is an association between frequent heavy alcohol use and poor mental health, including psychological distress and low life satisfaction. Researchers gave some participants low-dose alcohol and other participants were given a placebo.

“Any dose of alcohol combined with cannab[…]els of THC in blood.” May 27, 2015. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. While awaiting medical attention, it is important to keep the person safe from harm.

Smoking weed after drinking alcohol

Combining weed and alcohol can cause violent physical reactions consistent with a marijuana overdose. Using weed and alcohol together can intensify the effects of both drugs. It is safer to use either drug without the other, although the safest option is to use neither. Using alcohol and weed simultaneously also increases the chances of having unprotected sex with a partner, as well as other negative outcomes relating to legal issues, academia, and relationships. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the blood through the stomach and the small intestine.