California Sober: Study Indicates Marijuana May Help Cutting Down Drinking Consumption
Emerging scientific investigation released in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that embracing a “California sober” method might substantially help individuals lower their alcohol use.
The Study and Bar Lab Setting
Researchers from Brown University carried out a unique experiment where volunteers received cannabis cigarettes to consume before visiting a specially designed “bar lab”.
- Participants had the option to drink up to eight small drinks.
- The trial was repeated on three occasions with different THC potencies: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% cannabis.
Great care was taken to mimic a authentic bar environment, complete with low light and drinks on tap to ensure participant realism.
“We wanted to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be highly motivated to drink,” explained the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Results showed a notable decrease in drink consumption after participants smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption fell by nineteen percent after using moderate-THC cannabis.
- Reduction was even more pronounced with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a twenty-seven percent decrease versus the placebo.
Broader Context and Future Research
Expanded legal access has driven a major surge in cannabis consumption, which has doubled over the last ten years.
At the same time, drink use is at a record low, with many turning to alternatives like marijuana.
It is important to note that forty percent of trial subjects were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
Although cannabis could serve as a possible solution to heavy alcohol use, researchers caution that further study is required.
“We’re not ready to tell individuals seeking treatment for alcohol, ‘Go ahead and replace marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher commented.
