This might seem like a good thing, but it makes it harder to know how impaired you really are. For example, a 1992 study had 15 participants smoke a placebo, a high dose of THC, or a low dose of THC on three occasions. On each occasion, they’d rank a different dose of alcohol, including a placebo, as a low dose or a high dose. However, this study was pretty small, making it hard to draw any firm conclusions. Plus, a similar (but equally small) 2010 study found that alcohol consumption didn’t have much of an effect on THC concentrations.
Third, a major limitation that has challenged cannabis researchers for a long time is the difficulty inherent in obtaining reliable self-report data on quantities of cannabis consumed. This continues to pose a challenge for emerging research on combined use of cannabis and alcohol. Accordingly, many studies rely on frequency of cannabis use (e.g., number of days used) as their metric of cannabis use. Although frequency may be useful for distinguishing infrequent from frequent use, this metric has limited utility for meaningfully estimating history of THC/CBD exposure or peak blood THC/CBD levels.
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- In particular, SAM users were shown to be more likely to endorse nine types of consequences, relative to alcohol-only users, with the strongest effects observed for more acute consequences (e.g., blackouts; Jackson et al., 2020).
- Combining these two substances can lead to an increased risk of developing health problems or even addiction.
- Your health plan’s contracted network providers may also offer in-office appointments.
- However, the body of existing research is likely to grow and evolve as more states begin to legalize marijuana use.
- Indeed, decades of research have shown that simultaneous use is particularly risky, relative to co-use and mono-substance use (Bailey et al., 2019; Earleywine and Newcomb, 1997; Li et al., 2013; Martin, 2008).
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This can increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and decreased motor control. When you mix weed and alcohol, you may experience side effects that range from unpleasant to serious. Generally, combining alcohol and weed won’t lead to serious health issues unless too much of the two substances is consumed. One critical limitation of the majority of work focusing on SAM use is the heavy reliance on data from primarily white college students. An important contribution from Banks et al. (this issue) revealed that among a sample of African American youth, a complex relationship emerged when exploring the links between facets of racial identity and co-use of alcohol and cannabis.
Why Do People Get ‘Cross-Faded?’
“Cross faded” describes the simultaneous intoxication that occurs when an individual consumes both alcohol and marijuana, enhancing the effects of each substance and creating a distinct experience. The combination of weed and alcohol can produce a more relaxed and calming experience than either substance alone. The combination can lead to a mild sedation, which can help to reduce anxiety and stress.
This enhanced effect can be compounding, catching even experienced marijuana users off guard. As the research indicates, people who use both alcohol and weed together tend to consume more of both. Their combined use can cause blackouts, memory loss, and an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.
What Happens When Someone Smokes Weed and Then Drink Alcohol?
Therefore, people who use weed before drinking may be more likely to consume more alcohol, says Nicole Lonano, MS, a Charlie Health Group Facilitator. “If too much alcohol is consumed with this combination, it can lead to alcohol poisoning,” she adds. Regular use of alcohol and cannabis raises significant public health concerns, particularly among young adults and adolescents.
Occasionally mixing alcohol and weed — also known as crossfading — likely won’t lead to major health problems. But there are a lot of variables to consider, including which one you use first and how you consume them. Used alone, either substance can be used in moderation without significant long-term effects. However, when you mix alcohol and marijuana, they can lead to unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. Little research has been done on combining alcohol and marijuana, but the indications are that there can be major risks. No matter what substances you are using, please consult a physician before combining them, and please always use substances responsibly.
Specific Guides
Whether you mix the two substances or use them separately, there are mental health consequences of consuming them. If you’re concerned about your alcohol or cannabis use – whether separately or in combination – there are many confidential resources and professional support options available. The first step is often speaking with a healthcare provider or calling a substance use helpline, where trained professionals can help you assess your situation and discuss potential next steps. These confidential conversations can help you understand whether professional intervention might benefit your use patterns. At each RDS following endorsement of alcohol use, participants were asked, “What type of alcohol had you been drinking between X and Y?
Not everyone reacts in the same way to weed, alcohol, or a combination of both, and many factors play a role in how a person will respond. However, it is helpful to understand the possible outcomes of mixing these drugs. Both drugs have similar effects on the body and mind, including drowsiness, slowed reflexes, and changes in judgment and time perception. This means you might be tipsier than you feel, increasing your risk for becoming overly intoxicated. Weed appeared to slow down the rise of blood alcohol levels after consuming a high dose of alcohol.
Your body, therefore, absorbs it more slowly, leading to combining alcohol and marijuana produces lower blood alcohol levels. If weed use does slow down the increase in blood alcohol levels, this may cause people to drink more than usual. In turn, this could increase risky behavior and the likelihood of alcohol poisoning. Estimating intoxication can be challenging when combining alcohol and cannabis, but several tips and tricks can help.
Individuals who are drinking alcohol and consuming edibles should carefully monitor what they consume. A 2019 study supports this, finding that those who use alcohol and weed simultaneously are likely to drink more alcohol more frequently. Our Lowest Price Guarantee applies exclusively to national online telehealth providers for medical cannabis approval.
A craving for alcohol, wanting to cut back but being unable to, having your professional or personal life affected by alcohol, and developing a tolerance to alcohol are all signs of an alcohol use disorder. If you are concerned about your drinking habits, take our free alcohol assessment to determine if you’d benefit from alcohol addiction treatment. Often referred to as “greening out,” alcohol and marijuana users can have an undesirable reaction when combining the two substances. Physical symptoms like nausea and vomiting are common, as well as sweating and dizziness. Tending to your physical health is important for harm reduction, Lyter says. Make sure you eat before you drink since drinking on an empty stomach makes blood alcohol level rise quickly and may result in more adverse effects.
- Our comparisons also showed that using liquor was not consistently related to heavier alcohol consumption or to greater odds of experiencing a consequence than using multiple alcohol products on that day.
- The risk of injuries can be increased when someone chooses to mix alcohol and marijuana.
- While uncommon, some users might experience more severe reactions like panic attacks or temporary psychosis.
- The researchers reported that combining THC and alcohol consistently impaired driving performance, with worse performance during nighttime simulations.
- Although using too much marijuana isn’t usually life-threatening, inhalation burns and asthma attacks from smoking cannabis can be deadly.
- If you’ve been drinking heavily, it’s best to avoid cannabis altogether, as alcohol expands your blood vessels and can dramatically increase THC absorption.
Moreover, the risks of intoxication are amplified; users may misjudge their level of impairment, which can be concerning. People may use a combination of these substances to get more of an effect for both or combat the side effects of one or the other, but it can be risky and unsafe. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive component of marijuana, meaning this is the chemical that gets you high.