A greenout often involves intense nausea, sometimes leading to vomiting, as the body becomes overwhelmed by excessive cannabis consumption, causing discomfort and a need to expel the substance. Those familiar with edibles will know that experiencing a high typically takes longer than when smoking cannabis, as they have to be metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream. It may also be more difficult to measure how much cannabis you’re consuming with edibles, especially if they’re homemade. Mixing the two, also known as cross-fading, can result in unwanted effects. The researchers state that a critical factor to determine is whether or not the differences between users and non-users were provoked by exposure to alcohol or if these issues were present beforehand.

Addiction treatments span from traditional talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to rehabilitation centers, support groups, medication-assisted treatments, and more. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or marijuana addiction, help is available. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Both natural and synthetic cannabinoids are mind-altering substances and, despite common misconception, are addictive.

Mixing weed and alcohol: the good, the bad and the ugly

Combining weed and alcohol can increase the effects of both drugs and cause adverse reactions. The combination can also lead people to engage in unusual or risky behaviors. Yes, it raises the chance of adverse reactions and potentially dangerous interactions.

Behavioral Pharmacology of Cannabis and Alcohol Co-use

Marijuana and alcohol are both very popular in the United States, but the effects of combining the two remain unknown to many. Mixing weed and alcohol can be dangerous as it can cause you to become more intoxicated than you intend. Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that acts as a depressant, impacting the central nervous system and the way our neurotransmitters fire, and profoundly impacting motor skills. As most people know (either from personal experience or from watching someone who’s had a few too many), excessive consumption can significantly impair one’s coordination and ability to walk, let alone drive or operate machinery. For many people, the answer is that alcohol increases the level of dopamine (often referred to as the ‘happy hormone,’ though this is an oversimplification) in the brain, creating sensations of joy and euphoria.

Bramness et al. [42] conducted a retrospective cross-sectional forensic database study examining drivers apprehended by the police suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Researchers found that cannabis impairs driving ability in a dose-response manner, though the effect was smaller than for alcohol. However, when THC and alcohol were both on board, the risk of being deemed impaired greatly increased. Preclinical and experimental research can be utilized to better understand the complex relationship between the co-use of cannabis and alcohol and related consequences.

Mixing the two can intensify these mind-altering effects, increase the risks of driving drunk and make a person sick. The authors of a 2017 review suggest that people who use alcohol and weed together typically consume more of both drugs. This higher intake may increase the risk of dependence on alcohol, weed, or both.

People can have different reactions to consuming the same amount of cannabis or alcohol. It is important to understand your personal tolerance for both substances in order to avoid adverse effects such as greening out, spins, or what does getting roofied mean drunkenness. Alcohol boosts your body’s absorption of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in weed. If you are concerned about your level of alcohol or cannabis use, seek treatment from a mental health provider who works with substance use issues. This treatment may include formal treatment, such as rehab, and community resources, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). It can act as a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen depending on the circumstances in which it’s used.

Why Do Alcohol and Cannabis Interact?

Marijuana and alcohol are the two most commonly used drugs in the nation, and people often use the substances together. Individuals who choose to mix the two should keep track of how much alcohol and weed they consume. A 2019 study supports this, finding that those who use alcohol and weed simultaneously are likely to drink more alcohol more frequently. We understand what you’re going through, and we offer treatments like pre-addiction treatment and alcohol rehab programs tailored to support you on your journey to recovery. With our virtual services, you can easily access care from the comfort of your home.

This can increase your risk for developing a dependence on alcohol, weed, or both. Weed appeared to slow down the rise of blood alcohol levels after consuming a high dose of alcohol. While it’s not entirely clear why drinking alcohol makes weed more potent, it may be because of the way alcohol affects blood vessels. While alcohol and weed affect cognitive abilities differently, combining them can significantly impair decision-making. This can make it hard to assess risks, leading to impulsive actions and long-lasting consequences. Learn about the potential dangers and interaction effects of drinking when bored mixing alcohol and weed, so you can keep yourself safe.

1. They also found that negative consequences were not more likely to occur when multiple types of cannabis products were used with one type of alcohol and that using concentrates with alcohol was not more dangerous than flower.
2. Both natural and synthetic cannabinoids are mind-altering substances and, despite common misconception, are addictive.
3. As most people know (either from personal experience or from watching someone who’s had a few too many), excessive consumption can significantly impair one’s coordination and ability to walk, let alone drive or operate machinery.
4. Mixing the two, also known as cross-fading, can result in unwanted effects.
5. Combining weed and alcohol can increase the effects of both drugs and cause adverse reactions.

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. Mixing marijuana with alcohol may seem attractive to people looking for a new experience. However, it’s safest to enjoy each substance separately and avoid combining the two.

These studies are mostly pre-2000 and include small numbers of participants, but they may provide some preliminary insight into how mixing weed and alcohol at different times affects the side effects. The long-term use of both alcohol and weed may cause structural changes in the brain, with a combination of these drugs leading to more prominent effects. Researchers have found that heavy weed users who drink alcohol have worse cognitive functioning than people who only consume alcohol. Frequent consumers should be mindful of the increased risk of dependence or drug abuse if they cross-fade too often as they may find they need higher doses of THC to achieve the same effect. Frequent drinkers can also experience this same issue, with frequent cross-fading potentially leading to alcohol addiction or binge drinking.

Short-Term Effects

A study from 2011 evaluated performance on cognitive tasks among 21 heavy weed users mixing molly and weed who had consumed alcohol. It’s also important to remember that people can have very different reactions to the same mix of alcohol and weed. If you’re out in a group, one person’s reaction might be very different than yours.

If you find it challenging to moderate your use, remember that rehabilitation programs are available to offer support and resources tailored to your needs. If you experience severe symptoms such as extreme confusion, chest pain, or difficulty breathing after consuming cannabis, it’s essential to seek medical help immediately. Additionally, if someone loses consciousness or has seizures, call 911 for emergency medical assistance immediately. Your health and safety are important, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your well-being.

Proceed with caution and watch for any signs your body gives you to stop or reduce your consumption. However, use of edibles with alcohol could be unpredictable as many people do not feel the effects of the THC for a long period of time. This may lead to eating more of the edibles or drinking more alcohol—which could increase the severity of the alcohol interaction—or mean that the interaction occurs when you don’t expect it to.