However, when mixed together, alcohol and marijuana can create unpleasant side effects. Using alcohol and marijuana together can produce uncomfortable side effects such as dizziness, sweating, and nausea. It is important to know when to seek immediate medical attention for problems that can arise from mixing alcohol and weed.
What Really Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Weed?
- Regular combined use of alcohol and cannabis can lead to several long-term health concerns.
- Your body, therefore, absorbs it more slowly, leading to lower blood alcohol levels.
- When marijuana is baked into or added to food and then eaten, it takes time for the food to digest and for the user to start experiencing effects.
- When the psychoactive effects set in, users find that new side effects can emerge.
- Combining alcohol and cannabis can increase both substances’ potency and subjective effects, so take your time, exercise caution, and always consume responsibly.
However, the legality of both alcohol and cannabis varies by state and country. No, the symptoms of a cannabis hangover may resemble that of an alcohol hangover, but they are not quite the same. Starting low and going slow is important in avoiding any adverse effects of mixing weed and alcohol. Well, first off, keep in mind that using both substances together can produce unique effects on the human body, and it’s vital to use them in moderation and with caution.
Treatment
However, the severity and duration of these symptoms are generally less intense and shorter-lived than those of an alcohol hangover. Drinking alcohol is ingrained in so many social situations, but most methods of cannabis consumption don’t work well as a replacement. The cannabis market is constantly evolving, but as of 2023, THC-infused alcoholic beverages are still hard to find in most markets. These include monitoring the number of drinks consumed, pacing consumption over time, and using tools like breathalyzers or blood tests to measure alcohol levels.
We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating addictions. “Calls to our general hotline may be answered by our treatment providers. Co-occurring use of any two drugs can create unexpected symptoms or intensify those you know are coming. The withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, and detoxification can proceed at home. When smoking, eating, or vaporizing cannabis becomes a source of trouble in one’s life, it is recommended that they undergo a period of withdrawal.
- The safest bet is to avoid using weed and alcohol together.
- If you think you’re abusing these or other substances, help is available.
- Co-occurring use of any two drugs can create unexpected symptoms or intensify those you know are coming.
- However, the severity and duration of these symptoms are generally less intense and shorter-lived than those of an alcohol hangover.
- People who consume weed are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia, a mental health condition that results in hallucinations and delusions.
Weed and Alcohol: What Happens When You Combine Them?
And many consumers are unaware of the potential risks of mixing the two. Alcohol has long been a staple of social gatherings and celebrations, with millions of people consuming it regularly. Thousands find freedom from alcohol every year — and so can you. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.
Different strains of cannabis can produce varying effects, ranging from relaxation and euphoria to increased energy and creativity. Also known as marijuana, weed, or pot, it contains hundreds of chemical compounds, with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) being the most well-known. While alcohol has long been a familiar presence at parties, restaurants, and gatherings, marijuana is increasingly becoming as common. Health plan’s telehealth and in-person services are subject to the same timely access to care standards. Charlie Health’s virtual substance use disorder treatment program for individuals with a primary substance use disorder diagnosis is only available in select states.
It’s also important to note that if you regularly use an alcohol and marijuana combination, you’re at a higher risk of developing a dependence on one or both of the substances. Often referred to as “greening out,” alcohol and marijuana users can have an undesirable reaction when combining the two substances. If you are concerned about your level of alcohol or cannabis use, seek treatment from a mental health provider who works with substance use issues. There is limited research available on the long-term effects of consuming alcohol alongside weed, which people also call marijuana or cannabis. Since alcohol and marijuana are the two most-used psychoactive substances in the nation, if not world, they are bound to cross paths from time to time.
Denying Our Mental Health: Why We Do It and How To Move Past It
If they are paranoid and fearful that they are dying or that aliens laced their stash, knowledge that cannabis often has this effect can be helpful. More extreme cases may need to remain under medical care while they undergo a full detoxification process. More extreme symptoms can include shakiness, flu-like symptoms, and abdominal pain. More advanced, and dangerous, withdrawal symptoms include delusions, shakes, tremor, seizures, and high blood pressure that can lead to heart attack and/or death. Drinkers may first experience depression, anxiety, and deep cravings for drink or even sugar.
Marijuana, on the other hand, can be over-used and induce an overdose as well. Further, when drinking is treated as a deviant, criminal behavior, teenagers may turn to binge drinking as a form of rebellion. This is a particular danger when they are not properly educated regarding the toxic nature of alcohol.
Drinking too much alcohol can be lethal. While awaiting medical attention, it is important to keep the person safe from harm. A recent study has also shown that those who consumed alcohol had much higher levels of THC in their bloodstream compared to a placebo group. This can increase your risk for accidents and injury.
Recognizing alcohol poisoning
Combining alcohol and cannabis can increase both substances’ potency and subjective effects, so take your time, exercise caution, and always consume responsibly. Beyond the effects in the present moment, the long-term consequences of combining cannabis and alcohol include an increased risk of dependence on either or both substances. The effects of combining alcohol and cannabis can lead to a higher risk of accidents and injuries, as well as increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes, such as vomiting, panic attacks, and paranoia. Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. While greening out can happen from overconsumption of cannabis alone, combining weed with alcohol often raises the risk of this unpleasant experience.
If you take medication, talk to your doctor before using weed, alcohol, or both. Remember, consuming weed and alcohol together can make you feel either more or less intoxicated than you would if you were using just one or the other. The safest bet is to avoid using weed and alcohol together. When mixing weed and alcohol, there are a lot of other variables to consider in addition to which one you use first. In each session, participants consumed a different combination of placebo, low, and moderate doses of THC and alcohol. If you use weed before drinking, pay extra attention to how much you’ve had to drink.
Unmatched Addiction Care & Mental Health Care in Ohio.
Marijuana works on cannabinoid receptors, while alcohol enhances GABA. The Sesh Newsletter from NuggMD is your weekly source to everything cannabis. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional. However, regardless of your experience level, starting low and going slow is recommended. In the United States, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving is 0.08% in nearly every state. The legal alcohol limit varies by country and state.
The Recovery Village Kansas City
In a 2013 study, 80 people participated in six testing sessions. Those who combined the two had reduced cognitive performance than those who only consumed alcohol. Those who consumed just alcohol had worse cognitive functioning than those who only consumed THC. This means you might combining alcohol and marijuana produces be tipsier than you feel, increasing your risk for becoming overly intoxicated. For example, you might feel like you’re good to drive, but your blood alcohol level may be well over the legal limit.
In legal markets, users can purchase regulated products that have measured doses. This is because the drug takes longer to take effect (prompting users to ingest more), often delivers a more intense effect, and lasts much longer than when an equivalent amount is smoked. Cannabis users who don’t wish to smoke or otherwise inhale might turn to an edible form for their THC delivery.
Find Support For Alcohol And Drug Abuse
THC is the primary cannabinoid that users seek for its psychoactive effects. However, many states are ending their marijuana restrictions, some for medical reasons and some for medical or recreational purposes. At The Recovery Village Columbus, our Joint Commission-accredited facility offers a full continuum of care, including inpatient, outpatient and telehealth treatment. At our physician-led addiction treatment facility, we can help you get your life back. It is crucial to call for help as soon as an alcohol overdose is suspected because someone in and out of consciousness or passing out can die.
When someone uses alcohol and marijuana together, they might start to notice they feel the effects of one (or both) much more quickly and more pronounced than otherwise. It is common for people to mix alcohol and marijuana. Using marijuana before drinking alcohol may make it difficult to gauge how intoxicated the user is from alcohol, potentially leading to dangerous situations like driving under the influence. When marijuana is baked into or added to food and then eaten, it takes time for the food to digest and for the user to start experiencing effects. Getting drunk from alcohol and high from marijuana at the same time is often referred to as being cross-faded. The risk of injuries can be increased when someone chooses to mix alcohol and marijuana.
This higher intake may increase the risk of dependence on alcohol, weed, or both. The authors of a 2017 review suggest that people who use alcohol and weed together typically consume more of both drugs. Research indicates that there is an association between frequent heavy alcohol use and poor mental health, including psychological distress and low life satisfaction. Not everyone reacts in the same way to weed, alcohol, or a combination of both, and many factors play a role in how a person will respond. The combination can also lead people to engage in unusual or risky behaviors.
