If you’re old enough, combining alcohol and marijuana produces you may remember hearing in the anti-drug class at school that when taken together, alcohol and cannabis double the effects of one another. While there is no evidence of a doubling effect, the research does indicate that the two substances do augment the effects of one another. 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. 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 study.
The Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Marijuana
There are a few different cannabinoids; you might be familiar with the main ones, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis is the term for all products that come from the plant Cannabis sativa. Alcohol, classified as a depressant, slows down brain activity, resulting in relaxation and sedation. On the other hand, marijuana, categorized as a hallucinogen and depressant, can produce a range of effects, including relaxation, euphoria, altered perception, and impaired memory. Alcohol and marijuana are both psychoactive substances that affect the central nervous system. However, they have different mechanisms of action and can produce distinct effects on the body.
- Hangovers are nasty and can last a while, with common symptoms being fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, and headache.
- Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it reduces (or depresses) activity in the central nervous system.
- Combining alcohol and marijuana can significantly increase the risk of developing substance use disorders.
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Because alcohol and weed are both depressants that act on the brain’s cannabinoid system, taking them at the same time may have a dramatic effect on your brain chemistry. The legality of marijuana use varies by jurisdiction, so it’s important to be aware of local laws and regulations. In many places, driving under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana is illegal and can result in severe penalties.
THC-Infused Alcoholic Drinks
They may weaken the effectiveness of your medication or increase your risk for certain side effects. Remember, consuming weed and alcohol together can make you feel either more or less intoxicated than you would if you were using just one or the other. Adding alcohol to a low dose of THC impaired driving simulator scores by 21 percent. Adding alcohol to a high dose of THC impaired driving simulator scores by 17 percent. 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.
Additive and/or synergistic effects have also been supported by self-report data from SAM users (Lee et al., 2017). See Yurasek et al. (2017), for a review of effects of combining alcohol and cannabis. Other laboratory research has been used to examine driving-related skills and performance following co-administration of both alcohol and cannabis. Perez-Reyes and colleagues 67 conducted an investigation examining the interaction between alcohol and cannabis on plasma concentrations, subjective intoxication, and psychomotor performance. Alcohol (0.42 g/kg, 0.85 g/kg, or placebo) was administered to participants over 30 min, and cannabis (2.4% THC or placebo) was administered 15 min later.
A 2019 review in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology examined preclinical data and human studies. In other words, they relax and open blood vessels, which is why medical marijuana became a popular remedy for glaucoma. Effectively, researchers think that marijuana can cause changes to the way alcohol impacts you. Both natural and synthetic cannabinoids are mind-altering substances and, despite common misconception, are addictive. In cannabis, the chemicals that produce the drug-like effects are called cannabinoids.
Drugs.com classifies the interaction between Cymbalta and marijuana as moderate. According to the site’s guide, doctors should recommend the combination only in special circumstances. If you and your doctor decide that the benefits outweigh the risks and you want to try taking both together, closely monitor your symptoms and stay in touch with your physician.
There’s also limited research on how cannabis affects Cymbalta’s metabolism, meaning that some users may experience unpredictable drug interactions. Some of the negative side effects of mixing alcohol and weed include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, impaired judgment, coordination problems, rapid intoxication, dehydration, headaches, and confusion. When it comes to mixing alcohol and marijuana, recognizing problematic substance use is an important step towards seeking help and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with the combination of alcohol and marijuana, it’s crucial to understand the available treatment options and resources for support and recovery. Mixing alcohol and marijuana can have significant effects on both physical and mental health. Understanding these effects is crucial in order to make informed decisions about substance use.