Going California Sober: Research Suggests Cannabis May Help Reducing Drinking Intake
New scientific investigation published in the prestigious psychiatry journal suggests that adopting a “California sober” method might significantly help individuals lower their drink use.
Research Methodology and Bar Lab Setting
A team of Brown University carried out a novel experiment where volunteers received cannabis cigarettes to consume before entering a specially designed simulated bar environment.
- Subjects could choose to drink up to 8 small drinks.
- The experiment was repeated three separate times with different THC potencies: high potency, 3.1%, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a real-life bar environment, complete with low light and beer taps to ensure participant realism.
“We wanted to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be highly motivated to consume alcohol,” explained the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Effects on Drinking
Results revealed a notable decrease in drink consumption after participants smoked marijuana:
- Drink consumption fell by 19% after consuming 3.1% THC cannabis.
- The drop was more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a 27% decrease compared to the control.
Broader Context and Future Research
Increased legalization has spurred a major surge in cannabis usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years.
At the same time, alcohol use is at a historic low, with numerous individuals opting for alternatives like weed.
Crucial to note that forty percent of study subjects were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
While cannabis could serve as a possible alternative to excessive alcohol use, scientists warn that further research is needed.
“It is premature to advise people seeking treatment for alcohol, ‘Proceed and replace cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher noted.
