Study recreates real bar setting and shows that cannabis leads to drinking less

A study by Brown University, published last month in the American Journal of Psychiatry, simulated a bar setting with low lighting and drinks available to assess how cannabis use affects alcohol consumption. 

In the experiment, 157 heavy drinking adults who use cannabis at least twice a week smoked cigarettes containing THC at different concentrations: placebo (0.03%), 3.1%, and 7.2%. They were then given the option to consume up to eight small doses of alcoholic beverage.

The results showed that, compared to the placebo, cannabis reduced alcohol consumption: approximately 19% less with 3.1% THC and about 27% less with 7.2% THC. 

In addition, participants reported a lower immediate desire to drink and took longer to have their first drink after smoking cannabis.

The authors state that the data only refer to immediate effects and emphasize that cannabis may present its own risks. They add that, effectively, cannabis has been used as a substitute substance for other addictions, as it has fewer associated risks and even some benefits.

With information from CannaReporter.