While cannabis is not approved for any medical use by the FDA, several drugs containing cannabinoids, or substances such as THC or CBD, have been approved according to the National Institutes of Health. Other side effects, such as poor judgment and impaired thinking, are intensified by combining marijuana with alcohol. While being intoxicated with weed feels different than being intoxicated with alcohol, the two have roughly the same effect on your cognitive abilities, reflexes, and judgment. Alcohol makes your high more intense while feeling the effects of alcohol at the same time. Being both drunk and high at the same time is an experience that most people are familiar with, and is often referred to as crossfading.
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Weed Use?
By sending chemical messages between nerve cells, anandamide influences pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, the senses, and time perception. THC enters your bloodstream when you smoke and makes its way to your brain. Its similarity to anandamide means that it can attach to the cannabinoid receptors and similarly influence some of the same cognitive functions. 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. While some states have legalized marijuana for medicinal and/or recreational use, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug at the federal level.
- Their blood vessels dilate, making them feel warm even as their body is losing heat.
- It is never advised to operate a vehicle or machinery while under the influence of either alcohol or cannabis.
- Yes, it raises the chance of adverse reactions and potentially dangerous interactions.
- 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.
- Taking the two together may cause you to feel a stronger high, but this high may also come with unpleasant side effects like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, chills, anxiety, or a rapid heart rate.
Physical side effects of mixing alcohol and weed
This type of research is difficult to conduct, however, due to the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance that restricts researcher access to cannabis products [102]. Recent research has employed advanced simulated driving methods to assess the effects of cannabis and alcohol co-use. Hartman and colleagues [70•] investigated the effect of cannabis on driving with and without alcohol on THC blood concentrations in a within-subject study with six conditions. Participants drank alcohol (placebo or low dose) and inhaled 500 mg vaporized cannabis (placebo, 2.9%, or 6.7% THC) ad libitum for 10 min before completing a driving simulation.
Know the Risks and Effects
The size of the study makes it difficult to draw any firm conclusions, and a few other studies have failed to duplicate these results. Even so, it provides important insight study of controversial hallucinogen salvia shows intense into how an individual’s body may react when they combine the two substances. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the blood through the stomach and the small intestine.
When to Get Medical Help
This can increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and decreased motor control. The short-term effects of alcohol can include impaired cognitive function, slowed reaction times, and altered mood. how long does a hangover last Long-term effects can include liver damage, brain damage, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Additionally, alcohol can lead to addiction, which can subsequently devastate a person’s health and well-being.
If you find it challenging to moderate your use, remember that rehabilitation programs are available to offer support and resources tailored to your needs. If you experience severe symptoms such as extreme confusion, chest pain, or difficulty breathing after consuming cannabis, it’s essential to seek medical help immediately. Additionally, if someone loses consciousness or has seizures, call 911 for emergency medical assistance immediately. Your health and safety are important, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your well-being.
Sure, research on the topic is ramping up a bit, but there’s still a lack of large, long-term studies. The Northern Skunk strain has an earthy and skunky flavor with citrus notes and produces a spicy sensation when exhaling. But high doses can cause a couch lock, ending the celebration but giving you a fantastic rest. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.
While this might be nice for some folks, it can cause others to green out. This refers to a range of unpleasant physical symptoms that can result from a strong high. Marijuana use may contribute to cognitive decline, poor attention and memory, and lowered IQ, especially in the developing brain. In rare cases, chronic marijuana use can result in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which causes severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
She has spent the past 5 years specializing in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders. It’s important to remember that moderation is key when it comes to substance use. By pacing yourself and setting limits, you can avoid potential risks like overdose or making poor decisions while under the influence.
The American Psychological Association suggest that adolescents’ developing brains are especially vulnerable to long-term damage from weed use. However, the body of existing research is likely to grow and evolve as more states begin to legalize marijuana use. Karoly, Hollis C.; Ross, J. Megan; Prince, alcohol use and cancer american cancer society Mark A.; et al. “Effects of cannabis use on alcohol consu[…]drinkers in Colorado.” Addiction, September 2021. “Any dose of alcohol combined with cannab[…]els of THC in blood.” May 27, 2015. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals.
While a marijuana overdose won’t kill you, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as severe nausea and vomiting, extreme paranoia, panic, trouble concentrating, and decreased coordination and muscle control. Another sign of a greenout is experiencing heightened anxiety or paranoia. Characterized by intense fear, racing thoughts, or a sense of impending doom. These psychological symptoms can be overwhelming and distressing for the person affected.
There can be legitimate circumstances around the need to use marijuana. In this context, you need to pay careful attention to the effect alcohol may have when you drink while using marijuana. Though there are some that propose that marijuana is not an addictive drug, others disagree. In face, the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention states that 30% of users suffer from marijuana use disorder, which means they have become dependent on the drug. Both can also leave you feeling a bit worse for wear the next day, though this is more likely to happen with alcohol. If you do get hungover, you might experience other effects, including headaches and diarrhea.