Going California Sober: Study Indicates Cannabis May Help Cutting Down Drinking Consumption
Emerging scientific investigation released in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that embracing a “California sober” approach might substantially help individuals lower their alcohol consumption.
The Study and Bar Lab Scenario
Researchers from Brown University conducted a novel experiment where participants were provided with cannabis cigarettes to smoke before visiting a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Subjects had the option to drink up to eight small drinks.
- The trial was conducted three separate times with varying THC levels: high potency, moderate potency, and a placebo marijuana.
Significant effort was taken to replicate a authentic bar atmosphere, complete with low light and beer taps to ensure participant realism.
“Our goal was to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the lead researcher.
Key Findings and Effects on Drinking
Results showed a notable decrease in drink intake after subjects used cannabis:
- Drink consumption dropped by nineteen percent after consuming 3.1% THC marijuana.
- The drop was more significant with high-THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent decrease versus the control.
Wider Trends and Future Research
Expanded legal access has driven a major surge in cannabis usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
At the same time, drink use is at a record low, with numerous individuals turning to alternatives like marijuana.
It is important to note that forty percent of study subjects met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
While cannabis might be a potential solution to heavy alcohol use, scientists caution that further research is needed.
“It is premature to advise people in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and substitute marijuana, and it will work out for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
