California Sober: Study Indicates Marijuana May Assist in Cutting Down Drinking Consumption
Emerging scientific investigation released in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis approach might substantially assist people lower their alcohol use.
The Study and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a unique experiment where participants were provided with marijuana joints to smoke before entering a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Subjects could choose to consume up to 8 small drinks.
- The experiment was repeated three separate times with varying THC levels: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a placebo cannabis.
Significant effort was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to ensure subject realism.
“Our goal was to ensure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the lead researcher.
Key Findings and Impact on Alcohol Use
Results showed a marked reduction in drink consumption after participants smoked cannabis:
- Drink consumption fell by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC marijuana.
- The drop was more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a 27% decrease compared to the control.
Wider Trends and Future Research
Expanded legal access has driven a major surge in marijuana consumption, which has increased twofold over the past decade.
Meanwhile, drink consumption is at a historic low, with many turning to alternatives like weed.
Crucial to note that 40% of trial subjects were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
Although cannabis could serve as a potential alternative to heavy drinking, researchers caution that further study is required.
“It is premature to advise individuals in treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and replace cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
