Going California Sober: Study Indicates Cannabis May Help Reducing Drinking Consumption
New research released in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that embracing a “California sober” method might substantially assist people lower their alcohol consumption.
The Study and Bar Lab Setting
Researchers from Brown University carried out a novel study where participants were provided with cannabis cigarettes to consume before entering a carefully constructed simulated bar environment.
- Participants had the option to consume up to eight small drinks.
- The experiment was conducted three separate times with different THC potencies: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to guarantee participant realism.
“We wanted to ensure that when presented with the chance, you would be highly motivated to consume alcohol,” stated the lead researcher.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Outcomes revealed a marked reduction in alcohol intake after subjects smoked marijuana:
- Alcohol consumption dropped by 19% after using 3.1% THC cannabis.
- Reduction was even more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent decrease compared to the control.
Wider Trends and Future Research
Increased legal access has spurred a significant rise in marijuana usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
Meanwhile, alcohol consumption is at a record low, with many turning to substitutes like marijuana.
Crucial to note that 40% of trial participants met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
Although marijuana could serve as a potential solution to heavy alcohol use, scientists caution that more research is required.
“It is premature to tell people in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and replace marijuana, and it will work out for you,’” a study author noted.
