Going California Sober: Study Indicates Marijuana May Assist in Reducing Alcohol Intake
New research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that adopting a “California sober” method might significantly assist people lower their drink use.
The Study and Controlled Environment Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where participants received marijuana joints to smoke before entering a carefully constructed simulated bar environment.
- Subjects could choose to consume up to eight small drinks.
- The experiment was conducted on three occasions with varying tetrahydrocannabinol levels: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a placebo marijuana.
Great care was taken to mimic a real-life bar environment, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to ensure participant authenticity.
“Our goal was to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Effects on Alcohol Use
Outcomes showed a notable reduction in drink consumption after subjects used cannabis:
- Drink consumption dropped by nineteen percent after using moderate-THC marijuana.
- The drop was more pronounced with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction versus the control.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Increased legal access has driven a major surge in marijuana usage, which has doubled over the last ten years.
Meanwhile, alcohol use is at a historic low, with numerous individuals turning to substitutes like marijuana.
It is important to note that 40% of trial subjects met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
Although marijuana could serve as a potential alternative to heavy drinking, researchers caution that further research is needed.
“We’re not ready to tell individuals seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and substitute cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
