California Sober: Research Suggests Cannabis May Help Cutting Down Alcohol Consumption

New research released in the prestigious psychiatry journal proposes that embracing a “California sober” method could significantly assist people lower their alcohol use.

The Study and Controlled Environment Setting

A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where participants received cannabis cigarettes to smoke before entering a specially designed “bar lab”.

• Subjects had the option to drink up to eight small drinks.
• The trial was repeated on three occasions with varying tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: high potency, 3.1%, and a placebo marijuana.

Significant effort was taken to replicate a real-life bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to ensure participant realism.

“Our goal was to ensure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to drink,” explained the principal investigator.

Significant Results and Impact on Drinking

Results revealed a marked decrease in drink consumption after participants smoked marijuana:

• Alcohol intake dropped by nineteen percent after using 3.1% THC cannabis.
• Reduction was even more significant with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent decrease versus the placebo.

Broader Context and Future Research

Increased legalization has spurred a significant rise in marijuana usage, which has doubled over the past decade.

Meanwhile, alcohol consumption is at a historic low, with many opting for alternatives like weed.

Crucial to note that 40% of trial subjects were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.

Although cannabis might be a possible solution to heavy alcohol use, scientists warn that more study is needed.

“We’re not ready to advise individuals in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and substitute marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author noted.