California Sober: Study Suggests Marijuana Could Assist in Reducing Drinking Consumption
Emerging research released in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that adopting a “California sober” approach could substantially assist people reduce their alcohol use.
Research Methodology and Controlled Environment Setting
A team of Brown University conducted a novel experiment where participants received cannabis cigarettes to consume before visiting a specially designed “bar lab”.
- Participants could choose to drink up to eight small drinks.
- The trial was repeated three separate times with different tetrahydrocannabinol potencies: 7.2%, moderate potency, and a 0.03% marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a authentic bar environment, complete with dim lighting and beer taps to guarantee subject realism.
“Our goal was to ensure that when given the opportunity, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the principal investigator.
Significant Results and Impact on Drinking
Outcomes showed a notable reduction in drink consumption after participants smoked cannabis:
- Drink consumption fell by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC marijuana.
- The drop was more pronounced with 7.2% THC cannabis, leading to a 27% reduction versus the placebo.
Wider Trends and Additional Studies
Increased legal access has spurred a major surge in cannabis usage, which has increased twofold over the past decade.
Meanwhile, alcohol consumption is at a record low, with numerous individuals opting for alternatives like marijuana.
It is important to note that forty percent of trial subjects met the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
While marijuana could serve as a potential solution to heavy drinking, scientists caution that more research is required.
“It is premature to tell people in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and replace marijuana, and it will work out for you,’” a study author noted.
