California Sober: Study Suggests Cannabis Could Help Reducing Drinking Intake
Emerging research released in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that embracing a “California sober” method could significantly help individuals reduce their drink consumption.
The Study and Controlled Environment Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a unique study where participants received cannabis cigarettes to smoke before visiting a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Subjects could choose to consume up to eight mini alcoholic beverages.
- The experiment was conducted on three occasions with different THC levels: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Great care was taken to mimic a real-life bar atmosphere, complete with low light and beer taps to ensure subject authenticity.
“Our goal was to ensure that when given the opportunity, you would be highly motivated to drink,” stated the lead researcher.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Outcomes revealed a notable reduction in alcohol intake after subjects used cannabis:
- Drink intake dropped by nineteen percent after using 3.1% THC marijuana.
- The drop was even more significant with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction versus the control.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Increased legalization has spurred a significant rise in cannabis usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
Meanwhile, alcohol consumption is at a record low, with numerous individuals opting for substitutes like weed.
It is important to note that forty percent of trial subjects met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
While marijuana might be a possible solution to excessive alcohol use, researchers caution that further study is needed.
“We’re not ready to advise people seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and substitute cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author commented.
