California Sober: Study Indicates Cannabis May Assist in Reducing Drinking Consumption
New scientific investigation released in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach could significantly assist people reduce their alcohol consumption.
Research Methodology and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a unique experiment where volunteers were provided with cannabis cigarettes to smoke before visiting a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Participants could choose to consume up to eight small drinks.
- The experiment was repeated three separate times with varying THC potencies: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to mimic a real-life bar atmosphere, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to guarantee subject authenticity.
“Our goal was to ensure that when given the opportunity, you would be highly motivated to drink,” explained the principal investigator.
Key Findings and Effects on Drinking
Results showed a marked decrease in alcohol consumption after subjects smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption fell by 19% after using 3.1% THC marijuana.
- Reduction was even more significant with high-THC cannabis, leading to a 27% reduction versus the placebo.
Broader Context and Additional Studies
Increased legalization has driven a major surge in cannabis usage, which has doubled over the past decade.
Meanwhile, drink use is at a record low, with numerous individuals turning to substitutes like weed.
It is important to note that forty percent of trial participants were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
Although cannabis might be a possible solution to excessive drinking, researchers caution that further research is needed.
“It is premature to advise individuals in treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and substitute cannabis, and it will work out for you,’” a study author noted.
