Another study examines a possible link between reduced alcohol consumption and THC consumption
New research affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder and published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors reveals that consumption of CBD-dominant cannabis may be associated with reduced alcohol consumption.
In order to test this hypothesis, the researchers looked at cannabis use in 120 subjects and compared cannabis use that was high in CBD, high in THC, or a mixture of the two. They found that people who used CBD-dominant cannabis “drank fewer drinks per day of consumption, had fewer days of alcohol use, and fewer days of alcohol and cannabis co-consumption compared to others. groups. Those who used THC / CBD cannabis or THC alone did not see a reduction in their alcohol consumption or a change in their drinking patterns.
“Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of cannabis on alcohol use, with some studies suggesting that cannabis is a substitute for alcohol, while others suggest that cannabis complements alcohol, thereby increasing consumption. Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promise at the preclinical level for reducing alcohol consumption, ”the researchers explain. “This study explores the effects of cannabis containing different potencies of CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on alcohol consumption.
The authors also claimed that the results of reducing alcohol consumption were “consistent with preclinical work suggesting that CBD may be associated with decreased alcohol consumption.” Other previous studies that compared CBD to opiates, heroin, tobacco, and other controlled substances have found similar results.
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They concluded: “The present study provides preliminary support for the idea that plant-based CBD may be associated with decreased alcohol consumption among regular cannabis users and suggests that it may be possible for regular cannabis users to switch to a higher CBD and lower THC cannabis strain in an effort to reduce their alcohol consumption. “
The study further calls for the cannabinoid content, or composition of cannabis, to be investigated when comparing alcohol and cannabis consumption, as it is clear that whether cannabis is high in CBD or THC makes a difference.
Reduction in alcohol consumption and cannabis use
This is not the first such study to examine the association between cannabis use and reduced alcohol use. The study co-authors published a similar research project in the journal Addiction in January, which showed an inverse relationship between cannabis and alcohol use. People who were chronic alcohol users had reduced consumption on the days they used cannabis.
This study, conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder and Colorado State University, looked at 96 different subjects who used cannabis and were also enrolled in an alcohol treatment program. Their use decreased on the days they used cannabis, and this pattern was consistent between those who consumed a lot and those who consumed little.
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The research team claimed: “In the entire sample, individuals drank about 29% less drinks and were 2.06 times less likely to have an episode of binge drinking on days. where cannabis was used versus days when cannabis was not used. These trends were seen in men, women, and infrequent and frequent cannabis use groups. “
“Heavy drinkers engaged in treatment to reduce their alcohol consumption who also consume cannabis appear to increase their cannabis use on days when they reduce their alcohol consumption,” they concluded.
Regarding this study, Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, added : “Several previous studies have investigated whether cannabis is more likely to act as a substitute or supplement for alcohol and, so far, have shown mixed results. The results of this study are an important addition to this growing body of literature and offer strong evidence that cannabis may act as an intervention for some people seeking to reduce their alcohol consumption. “
While more research is yet to be done on this topic, it is clear from the data collected so far that cannabis, especially the CBD-dominant one, may be useful in drug reduction regimens. Alcohol consumption.
