On the other hand, the same people admitted they were more concerned about the dangers of alcohol and far more troubled by its addictive properties. To offer a public-opinion snapshot regarding alcohol and marijuana, American Addiction Centers surveyed more than 1,000 people about whether alcohol or marijuana is more dangerous and if either’s legal status should change. Read on as we explore their answers and attitudes toward these substances.
How do cannabis drinks differ from edibles?
The survey is a highly regarded source of estimates of tobacco, alcohol and drug use in the United States. The researchers reported that combining THC and alcohol consistently impaired driving performance, with worse performance during nighttime simulations. For example, you might feel like you’re good to drive, but your blood alcohol level may be well over the legal limit.
This might seem like a good thing, but it makes it harder to know how impaired you really are. The researchers found significantly higher peak THC levels among participants who had alcohol versus those who had a placebo. In a 2015 study, 19 participants drank either a placebo or small amount of alcohol.
Statistics on cannabis users skew perceptions of cannabis use
“People are interested in an experience that allows them to relax and enjoy themselves. Some are leaning into cannabis drinks as part of the ‘Cali sober’ trend,” says Dr. Gruber. One thing that’s clear about the alcohol vs. weed debate is that both should be used responsibly and driving while intoxicated on anything should be avoided at all costs. Alcohol can contribute to social and behavioral issues, including aggression, mood swings, outbursts, relationship issues, and legal troubles. Alcohol can cause cognitive impairment which can lead to poor judgment, decreased coordination, and memory loss and in some cases blackouts.
- After being absorbed through the lining of the stomach into the bloodstream, it spreads into tissues throughout the body and reaches the brain in about five minutes, according to Northwestern Medicine.
- This means they are more easily and rapidly absorbed into the body’s soft tissues.
- The amount of research regarding marijuana’s long-term effect on brain health, however, is not so ample.
- To err on the side of caution, assume you’ve had a bit more to drink than you actually have, or aim to drink less than you usually would without using weed.
‘My heart was racing’
Chronic use of alcohol can cause a physical dependency that will require outside intervention to treat this and help you become sober. Cannabis is more likely to lead to a use disorder where you are habitually or are psychologically addicted to cannabis and want to use it. It’s important to note that when cannabis gets legalized many people may use cannabis semi-legally by consuming illegally purchased cannabis which can lead to them consuming more than standard dosages. This almost points to the importance of regulation so people can use standardized dosages to track their usage of cannabis. That roughly translates to cannabis is not directly related to any increase in the chances of death or has a significant impact on your lifespan. While one person might feel relaxed while drunk, another might feel restless.
Marijuana affects the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, but a person can’t fatally overdose on famous fetal alcohol syndrome pot like they can with alcohol, Baler said. Alcohol is also highly addictive and over time addiction can increase your chances of developing health issues and even a physical dependency. Cannabis has been found to potentially increase your chances of developing anxiety, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms.There is ongoing research on the relationship between marijuana use and mental health disorders. Overall, cannabis use can be healthier and less addictive than alcohol use. Many of the issues have to do with legality and preconceived judgment of cannabis.
It’s important to understand the distinct difference between alcohol and cannabis addiction. Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. She’s passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information.
Akin to this, cannabis use can also affect coordination and motor skills because THC can interfere with the functioning of specific sections of the brain like the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. This means that for people taking drugs or medications while drinking, the alcohol can increase or decrease levels of the active drug in the body. Older adults may be more vulnerable to these unpleasant effects, in part because drug metabolism slows with age. After recreational cannabis became legal to sell in California, cannabis-related emergency department visits increased in older adults. The same trend occurred in Canada, as documented in a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine.