California Sober: Study Indicates Cannabis Could Help Cutting Down Alcohol Intake
New scientific investigation published in the prestigious psychiatry journal suggests that adopting a “California sober” approach could significantly help individuals lower their drink use.
Research Methodology and Controlled Environment Setting
Researchers from Brown University carried out a novel study where volunteers received cannabis cigarettes to consume before visiting a specially designed “bar lab”.
- Participants had the option to consume up to 8 mini alcoholic beverages.
- The trial was conducted on three occasions with different THC potencies: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to ensure participant realism.
“We wanted to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” explained the principal investigator.
Key Findings and Effects on Drinking
Outcomes revealed a notable reduction in alcohol consumption after subjects used marijuana:
- Drink intake fell by nineteen percent after using 3.1% THC cannabis.
- Reduction was even more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a 27% reduction compared to the placebo.
Wider Trends and Future Research
Expanded legalization has driven a major surge in marijuana usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a record low, with numerous individuals turning to substitutes like weed.
Crucial to note that 40% of study participants were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
While cannabis might be a possible solution to excessive drinking, scientists caution that further study is required.
“It is premature to tell people in treatment for alcohol, ‘Proceed and replace cannabis, and it will work out for you,’” a study author commented.
