Alcohol continues to be one of the most dangerous and lethal drugs on the planet. According to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO), published in 2024, more than 2.6 million people died as a result of alcohol consumption in 2019, representing 4.6% of all global deaths that year. In Brazil, the scenario is equally alarming: there were 91.9 thousand deaths, with 80.4 thousand among men.

The document also reveals that about 400 million people worldwide live with alcohol-related disorders, with 209 million facing severe alcohol dependence. Although global consumption has slightly decreased in the past two decades, the WHO states that the number of deaths remains "unacceptably high".

Faced with this scenario, experts and researchers have been seeking more effective therapeutic alternatives with fewer side effects. One of them is medicinal cannabis, especially the use of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound of the plant that has shown neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory potential.

In an interview on the Alt+Tab show, from UOL, psychiatrist Dartiu Xavier — one of Brazil's leading experts in chemical dependency — explained the effects of alcohol and marijuana on the body, highlighting the impact of these substances on public health:

A 2010 British study, led by neuroscientist David Nutt, classified the risk and harm caused by various psychoactive substances, taking into account physical, biological, psychological, and social impacts — for both the user and those around them.

In conclusion, alcohol emerged as the most harmful substance overall, surpassing drugs like crack, heroin, and cocaine. On a scale of 0 to 100, alcohol scored over 70 points, considering all evaluated criteria. Cocaine scored less than 40 points, marijuana scored below 20, and hallucinogenic mushrooms registered less than 10 points.

The study shows that, despite being legal, alcohol can be more harmful to the body and society than many illicit drugs.

"Alcohol is considered one of the problematic drugs with the greatest impact on people's physical and mental health. The good news is that out of every 100 people who drink, 15 will have alcohol-related problems and, of these, 15 will become dependent. In other words, 85% can consume in a controlled manner, without major health impairments," Xavier responded to presenter Antônio Tabet.

"There is a large contingent of people who use alcohol in a controlled manner, causing few or no health problems. But alcohol can lead to dependence in 15% of the population."

About marijuana, Dartiu highlights the difference in the risk of dependence and warns about precautions. In addition, the psychiatrist warned about other related risks.

"There is a risk of developing mental problems from marijuana use, especially in adolescents. The risk of marijuana dependence is about 9%, lower than that of alcohol. Therefore, it is advisable not to try it if you have a family history of serious mental problems, for example, psychosis, it is advisable not to use marijuana recreationally."  

In recent years, scientific studies have shown that CBD can help treat alcohol dependence, offering support for detoxification, withdrawal control, and regeneration of affected organs.

A study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Pharmacology (2019) pointed out that cannabidiol modulates brain circuits linked to compulsion, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and decreases motivation for consumption.

Another study, published in Liver International, revealed that CBD has a protective action on the liver, an organ severely affected by chronic alcohol use. Studies in animal models showed that cannabidiol helps reduce inflammation and ethanol-induced liver stress.

Furthermore, an article published in the journal Clinical Chemistry shows that CBD protects cells against alcohol-induced damage, which can help prevent diseases such as cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and certain types of cancer.

In 2013, a study from the University College London, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, indicated that the use of CBD significantly reduced cigarette consumption in individuals trying to quit smoking. The result reinforces the potential of cannabidiol in treating various types of addiction, including alcoholism.