Cross Faded: Understanding the Effects of Mixing Weed and Alcohol

Those who consumed just alcohol had worse cognitive functioning than those who only consumed THC. Those who combined the two had reduced cognitive performance than those who only consumed alcohol. If using weed does indeed slow the absorption of alcohol, it might also delay feelings of drunkenness.

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• These could be indications that you’re dealing with a substance use disorder, such as alcohol use disorder (also known as alcohol addiction), cannabis use disorder (also known as cannabis or marijuana addiction), or both.
• Excludes all physical dispensary sales, promotional discounts, and special or limited-time offers.
• Risk of schizophrenia, panic attacks, increased depression symptoms, and psychosis.

At the same time, they also underscore several limitations in the existing research on this topic and highlight a number of promising avenues for future inquiry. First, a large proportion of studies, especially existing EMA studies, have utilized young adult or college student samples. Although young adults are an important group to study, further research is needed in order to generalize findings on cannabis and alcohol co-use to additional populations.

What Happens When Someone Drinks Alcohol and then Smokes Weed?

In addition, studies using biometric methods for collecting data on alcohol and cannabis co-use in daily life are needed. Translational research programs that help to bridge the gap between pre-clinical and human research paradigms, as well as laboratory and field research, will also represent a significant step in the attempt to better understand alcohol and cannabis co-use. Used together, alcohol and marijuana can also create paranoia, causing people to make flawed or even fatal choices. Alcohol and marijuana are both depressants, which work by slowing down the central nervous system. An ingredient of marijuana is THC, which is absorbed into the blood faster when alcohol is also present.

Short-Term Effects

Some studies indicate that using weed may slow the absorption of alcohol, but the results are debatable. Fourth, the majority of recent studies examining alcohol and cannabis co-use rely exclusively on self-report, which is prone to several biases. As mentioned, there is a need for more experimental and laboratory-based research to isolate important pharmacological and neuropsychological mechanisms in co-use.

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

If you’ve been drinking heavily, it’s best to avoid cannabis altogether, as alcohol expands your blood vessels and can dramatically increase THC absorption. Similarly, if you’ve already used cannabis, waiting several hours before considering alcohol allows you to gauge your level of impairment better. All states have strict laws against driving under the influence of either substance, and the penalties are often enhanced when multiple substances are involved. Law enforcement officers are trained to detect both alcohol and drug impairment, and many jurisdictions now use advanced testing methods to identify cannabis use alongside traditional alcohol breathalyzer tests. A DUI conviction involving both substances can result in heavier fines, longer license suspensions, and increased chances of jail time compared to single-substance charges. Not surprisingly, most single-product combinations resulted in reduced rates of consumption relative to using multiple products on a given day.

• Chronic heavy drinking can mess with the chemical messengers in your brain that regulate anxiety, leading to heightened anxiety in general.
• If alcohol or marijuana is negatively impacting your life and you seem unable to quit on your own, help is available.
• While regular users may develop some tolerance to either cannabis or alcohol individually, the substance interaction between these two is unpredictable.
• Future such studies could also examinine whether the order of alcohol vs. cannabis administration impacts the nature of the psychoactive effects experienced when the substances are co-administered.

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. Further, if you try to cut back on either alcohol or cannabis, your reliance on the other substance is likely to increase. Combining the two substances also leads to a greater degree of impairment than taking either one on its own.

Individuals who had no past-year cannabis use were found to be more likely to report alcohol dependence compared to those who had never used cannabis. At Leafy Mate, we strive to empower marijuana consumers by providing comprehensive education and resources. We emphasize the significance of responsible use and connect users to trusted medical marijuana physicians and quality brands. Francisco Church is a rehabilitation specialist and the chief editor of Recovery Ranger. He creates this site to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. With extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment, Francisco is dedicated to helping individuals access the resources they need for successful recovery.

Can Mixing Weed and Alcohol Lead to Addiction?

While this Special Issue provides a showcase of the significant advancements that have recently been made in this research area, it also highlights the need for more work to address several remaining limitations and unanswered questions. Given that the trend toward legalization of cannabis appears likely to continue, the study of alcohol and cannabis co-use will remain a timely and important topic of inquiry. Combining spirits and marijuana can lead to a cross faded state, creating a complex array of effects on both the body and mind. When alcohol is consumed alongside cannabis, it can significantly enhance THC absorption, resulting in intensified psychoactive effects.

Using substances to cope with negative feelings may be a sign of a substance use disorder. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time can lead to alcohol poisoning, where critical parts of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, and temperature can shut down, leading to death. Because more alcohol is usually consumed when using alcohol and marijuana at the same time, users are at risk for alcohol poisoning and should pay close attention to how much they are consuming. Do you think you (or a loved one) might have a problem with alcohol and weed?

Long-term physical health risks

It’s important to note that infants or young children who unintentionally ingest marijuana are more likely to require hospital admission compared to older children. This highlights the need for caution, especially in environments where children are present. Furthermore, breastfeeding women are advised to avoid using marijuana until more conclusive data is available, as the effects on infants are not fully understood. By adhering to these guidelines combining alcohol and marijuana produces and remaining knowledgeable about marijuana policy reform and safety practices, we can enjoy a safer experience while exploring the effects of cross faded.

How Do Alcohol and Cannabis Interact?

Because alcohol and weed are both depressants that act on the brain’s cannabinoid system, taking them at the same time may have a dramatic effect on your brain chemistry. Individuals who choose to mix the two should keep track of how much alcohol and weed they consume. Research indicates that there is an association between frequent heavy alcohol use and poor mental health, including psychological distress and low life satisfaction. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes people to produce more urine. Over several hours, this can lead them to become dehydrated, as they lose more fluid than they take in. Drinking alcohol is ingrained in so many social situations, but most methods of cannabis consumption don’t work well as a replacement.

To help you out, here are eight food items that can enhance the effect of marijuana. The feeling of being cross-faded can vary widely from person to person, with some describing a sense of euphoria and heightened effects. Adding alcohol to a low dose of THC impaired driving simulator scores by 21 percent. Adding alcohol to a high dose of THC impaired driving simulator scores by 17 percent.

The authors of a 2017 review suggest that people who use alcohol and weed together typically consume more of both drugs. This higher intake may increase the risk of dependence on alcohol, weed, or both. Combining weed and alcohol can increase the effects of both drugs and cause adverse reactions. The combination can also lead people to engage in unusual or risky behaviors. Alcohol has long been a staple of social gatherings and celebrations, with millions of people consuming it regularly. In fact, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 85% of adults aged 18 or older reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime.