California Sober: Research Suggests Marijuana May Assist in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Emerging research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that embracing a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method might substantially assist people reduce their drink consumption.

The Study and Bar Lab Setting

A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where volunteers received cannabis cigarettes to consume before visiting a carefully constructed “bar lab”.

• Subjects could choose to drink up to 8 small drinks.
• The experiment was repeated three separate times with different tetrahydrocannabinol levels: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a 0.03% cannabis.

Great care was taken to replicate a authentic bar atmosphere, complete with low light and drinks on tap to guarantee subject realism.

“Our goal was to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to drink,” explained the lead researcher.

Key Findings and Impact on Drinking

Outcomes showed a marked decrease in alcohol intake after subjects used cannabis:

• Drink intake fell by 19% after using moderate-THC marijuana.
• Reduction was more significant with high-THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction compared to the placebo.

Broader Context and Additional Studies

Expanded legalization has spurred a major surge in marijuana usage, which has doubled 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 solution to excessive drinking, researchers caution that more research is required.

“It is premature to tell people seeking treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and substitute cannabis, and it will work out for you,’” the lead researcher noted.