🔗 Share this article Going California Sober: Research Suggests Marijuana Could Help Cutting Down Drinking Consumption Emerging scientific investigation released in the American Journal of Psychiatry proposes that adopting a sober lifestyle involving cannabis method could substantially help individuals lower their drink use. The Study and Bar Lab Setting Researchers from Brown University carried out a novel experiment where participants were provided with marijuana joints to smoke before visiting a carefully constructed “bar lab”. Participants had the option to drink up to eight mini alcoholic beverages. The trial was repeated three separate times with different THC levels: 7.2%, 3.1%, and a 0.03% cannabis. Great care was taken to mimic a authentic bar atmosphere, complete with dim lighting and drinks on tap to guarantee subject authenticity. “Our goal was to make sure that when presented with the chance, you would be really driven to consume alcohol,” stated the lead researcher. Significant Results and Impact on Alcohol Use Results revealed a marked reduction in alcohol consumption after subjects used cannabis: Drink intake dropped by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC marijuana. Reduction was even more significant with 7.2% THC marijuana, leading to a 27% decrease versus the placebo. Wider Trends and Future Research Expanded legalization has driven a major surge in marijuana usage, which has increased twofold over the last ten years. Meanwhile, drink consumption is at a record low, with many opting for substitutes like weed. Crucial to note that forty percent of trial participants met the criteria for alcohol dependence. Although cannabis could serve as a possible alternative to excessive drinking, scientists caution that further research is needed. “We’re not ready to advise people seeking treatment for drinking problems, ‘Proceed and substitute marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” the lead researcher noted.