Arabella Franco
Alcohol and marijuana are two of the most commonly used substances worldwide, and many people use them together. While some may consider this practice harmless, mixing the two can have severe health consequences. Both substances have similar effects on the body and mind, including drowsiness, slowed reflexes, and changes in judgment and time perception. When combined, alcohol and marijuana can increase the effects of both drugs, leading to adverse reactions and unpredictable behaviours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effects | Drowsiness, slowed reflexes, changes in judgment and time perception, increased heart rate, distorted senses, impaired cognitive ability and movement, trouble forming thoughts, increased risky behaviour, higher THC levels, greater impairment, alcohol poisoning, higher high, intensified adverse effects, distorted perception of time, short-term memory loss, increased likelihood of accidents, injury, assault, attack, STDs, infections, unwanted pregnancies, hallucinations, paranoia, overdose, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, panic, anxiety, blackouts, memory loss, dehydration, mental health problems, cognitive decline, poor attention and memory, lowered IQ, structural changes in the brain, tolerance, dependence, addiction, damage to brain, organs, lungs and liver, several types of cancer, increased appetite, loss of coordination, fatigue |
| Short-term dangers | Distorted perception of time, impaired cognitive ability, impaired movement including fine motor skills, increased heart rate, inability to make important decisions, short-term memory loss whilst under the influence, increased likelihood of accidents and injury, increased risk of being sexually assaulted or violently attacked, increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, infections and unwanted pregnancies, reduced inhibitions, poor judgement and decision making, increased likelihood of hallucinations (audio or visual), increased likelihood of paranoia, increased likelihood of overdose and respiratory depression, increased likelihood of having a bad experience (anxiety, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting and paranoia) |
| Long-term dangers | Tolerance to both cannabis and alcohol, dependence to both cannabis and alcohol, addiction to both cannabis and alcohol, damage to brain and organs caused by excessive alcohol consumption, serious mental health illnesses including anxiety, depression and psychosis, damage to brain through excessive exposure to THC and alcohol, damage to organs including the liver caused by excessive exposure to alcohol, damage to lungs (if smoking weed with tobacco), risk of developing several types of cancer associated with alcohol, increased risk of overdose, short-term and long-term memory loss |
What You'll Learn
Increased risk of alcohol poisoning
Mixing alcohol and marijuana can lead to a range of adverse effects, including an increased risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when there is too much alcohol in the bloodstream, and it can be life-threatening.
When alcohol and marijuana are consumed together, the effects of both substances are intensified. Marijuana impacts areas of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, pleasure, and sensory perception, while alcohol, a depressant, affects the entire central nervous system, heavily impacting motor skills, judgment, cognition, and memory. The combination of these effects can lead to a greater degree of impairment and an increased risk of accidents and injuries.
Additionally, alcohol increases the absorption of THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana. This can result in higher THC levels in the bloodstream, leading to a stronger high but also amplifying the lows. The delayed feeling of drunkenness caused by marijuana can make it harder to know how impaired you are, leading to risky behaviours such as drinking more than usual or driving under the influence.
The risk of alcohol poisoning is further heightened as marijuana can make it harder to vomit, which is the body's natural way of getting rid of excess alcohol. This combination can make it challenging to know if someone is experiencing a marijuana "green out" or alcohol poisoning, and it is always best to seek medical attention to ensure dangerous blood alcohol levels are addressed.
The concurrent use of alcohol and marijuana can also increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder and experiencing mental health issues. It is important to consume these substances responsibly and be aware of the potential risks and adverse effects.
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Greater impairment
Mixing alcohol and marijuana can lead to greater impairment than using either substance alone. Both substances impact the central nervous system, but in different ways. Alcohol is a depressant that affects the entire central nervous system, impacting motor skills, judgment, cognition, and memory. On the other hand, marijuana affects areas of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, pleasure, and perceiving time and senses. The active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), acts on cannabinoid receptors in the brain, leading to cognitive impairments.
When alcohol and marijuana are used together, the effects of both substances are intensified. Alcohol increases the absorption of THC, leading to higher levels of THC in the blood. This results in a stronger high, but it can also amplify the adverse effects of marijuana. The lows that follow the high can become more pronounced, with symptoms such as impaired judgment becoming more obvious.
The combination of alcohol and marijuana can lead to a greater degree of impairment, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Individuals may put themselves in risky or dangerous situations, and the likelihood of vehicle crashes increases significantly. The effects of this combination can be unpredictable, and the risk is further heightened when considering individual variables such as tolerance, type of alcohol and marijuana consumption, and the presence of other substances.
The short-term dangers of mixing alcohol and marijuana include distorted perception of time, impaired cognitive and motor abilities, increased heart rate, inability to make important decisions, short-term memory loss, hallucinations, paranoia, and nausea. The combination can also lead to a loss of control and even overdose, with a higher risk of respiratory depression.
In addition to the physical risks, there are also mental health considerations. Mixing alcohol and marijuana can increase the likelihood of developing a serious mental health illness, especially for those with a previous mental health history or a family history of mental health or addiction issues. It is important to note that genetics, environmental factors, and individual differences play a role in how people react to substances.
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Higher THC levels
When people smoke cannabis while drinking alcohol, they tend to have higher levels of THC in their blood compared to when they smoke without drinking. This is because alcohol widens the blood vessels, allowing THC to be absorbed more quickly.
The combination of alcohol and cannabis can lead to a greater degree of impairment than the use of either substance on its own. The effects of marijuana and alcohol are unpredictable, and combining them increases this unpredictability.
People who mix alcohol and cannabis may experience "greening out", which refers to feeling sick after smoking marijuana. This can happen with marijuana use on its own, but it is more likely to occur when drinking alcohol at the same time due to the higher THC levels.
Combining THC and alcohol can also impair driving performance, with worse performance observed during nighttime simulations. It is important to note that consuming cannabis after drinking alcohol might make individuals feel less intoxicated, which can lead to drinking more than usual.
In addition, regularly mixing alcohol and cannabis may have concerning long-term effects. Studies suggest that people who use both substances together tend to consume more of each, increasing the risk of developing a dependence on one or both. There is also evidence of decreased cognitive function and changes in brain structures, such as the hippocampus, associated with the combined use of alcohol and cannabis.
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Unpredictable behaviours
Mixing alcohol and weed can lead to unpredictable behaviours. The combination of the two substances can cause people to engage in unusual or risky behaviours.
The effects of marijuana are unpredictable. Different strains of the drug contain varying amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient. Marijuana also contains cannabidiol, a compound associated with calm and relaxation. The ratio of THC to cannabidiol is the key variable. High levels of THC are desired by marijuana users, and levels of THC have increased dramatically in recent decades.
Skunk-type strains, which are high in THC and low in cannabidiol, are associated with memory loss. A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that participants who smoked cannabis low in cannabidiol were significantly worse at recalling text than when sober. Those who smoked cannabis high in cannabidiol showed no such impairment.
The effects of marijuana also depend on the context of use and the user's mental state. The same compound can both relax and make users paranoid, and can cause uncontrollable laughter or runaway anxiety.
Mixing alcohol and weed can increase the effects of both drugs. Alcohol increases the absorption of THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis. This generally results in a stronger high, but can also cause a "green out", which refers to a range of unpleasant physical symptoms. Symptoms of a green out include:
- Intense and unpleasant symptoms, such as dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting
- Increased THC absorption may also cause anxiety, panic, and paranoia
The order in which a person uses weed and alcohol may also affect the outcome. Smoking weed after drinking alcohol may intensify the effects of weed, as alcohol increases the absorption of THC. Drinking alcohol after smoking weed may slow down the rise in blood alcohol levels, reducing or delaying the sensation of being drunk. This may cause people to drink more than usual, increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning.
Combining alcohol and weed may also be linked to a decline in cognitive function and an increased risk of dependence. A 2017 review of existing studies found that people who use alcohol and weed together tend to consume more of both, increasing the risk of dependence on either or both substances. A 2011 study found that those who combined the two had reduced cognitive performance compared to those who only consumed alcohol.
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Short-term dangers
Combining alcohol and marijuana can lead to a range of short-term dangers. The two substances can interact in complex ways, and the effects can vary significantly from person to person. Here are some of the key short-term dangers to be aware of:
Increased THC Absorption and Intensified Effects
Drinking alcohol before smoking marijuana increases the absorption of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This can lead to a stronger high, which may be desirable for some but can also cause unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms.
Greening Out or Crossfading
The term "greening out" refers to the unpleasant physical symptoms that can occur after smoking cannabis, including nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and anxiety. "Crossfading" is another term for the combination of alcohol and marijuana, and it can increase the likelihood and intensity of greening out.
Impaired Judgment and Higher Risk of Accidents
Both alcohol and marijuana can impair judgment and cognitive function. Combining the two substances can lead to a greater degree of impairment, increasing the risk of accidents and risky behaviour. This is especially dangerous when it comes to activities such as driving, as studies have shown that combining even low doses of THC and alcohol consistently impairs driving performance.
Alcohol Poisoning
The combination of alcohol and marijuana can make it more difficult to gauge one's level of intoxication, leading to excessive drinking and an increased risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Addiction and Dependence
Regularly combining alcohol and marijuana may increase the risk of developing a dependence on one or both substances. Additionally, if an individual tries to cut back on one substance, their reliance on the other may increase.
Unpredictable Side Effects
The effects of marijuana and alcohol are unpredictable, and this unpredictability is heightened when the two substances are combined. Side effects may include increased heart rate, impaired motor skills, hallucinations, memory problems, nausea, paranoia, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
The combination of alcohol and marijuana can lead to unpredictable behaviours and a greater degree of impairment than the use of either substance on its own. Both substances impact the central nervous system, affecting memory, thinking, pleasure, and perception of time and senses. The combination can also lead to a higher risk of alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening.
The risks of combining alcohol and marijuana include a higher likelihood of experiencing uncomfortable side effects, such as increased anxiety, paranoia, nausea, and impaired judgment. There is also an increased risk of developing a dependence on one or both substances, as well as potential damage to the brain and organs over time.
"Greening out" refers to the feeling of sickness after smoking marijuana. This can include symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. The risk of "greening out" is higher when combining marijuana with alcohol due to the increased levels of THC in the bloodstream.
If you experience a bad reaction to the combination of alcohol and marijuana, it is important to stay calm and patient as the feelings will pass with time. Find a quiet place to rest and, if possible, ask a friend to help you get home. Drink water and consume a sugary drink or food to boost your blood sugar and relieve dizziness.
