California Sober: Research Indicates Marijuana Could Assist in Cutting Down Alcohol Consumption
New research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that adopting a “California sober” method could significantly help individuals reduce their alcohol use.
Research Methodology and Controlled Environment Setting
Researchers from Brown University conducted a novel study where volunteers were provided with marijuana joints to smoke before entering a carefully constructed “bar lab”.
- Subjects had the option to consume up to eight small drinks.
- The experiment was conducted on three occasions with different THC levels: high potency, moderate potency, and a placebo marijuana.
Great care was taken to replicate a real-life bar environment, complete with dim lighting and beer taps to guarantee subject authenticity.
“Our goal was to make sure that when given the opportunity, you would be highly motivated to consume alcohol,” explained the lead researcher.
Significant Results and Effects on Drinking
Outcomes revealed a marked reduction in alcohol intake after subjects smoked cannabis:
- Alcohol consumption dropped by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC marijuana.
- Reduction was more pronounced with high-THC cannabis, leading to a twenty-seven percent reduction compared to the control.
Broader Context and Additional Studies
Expanded legal access has spurred a major surge in marijuana consumption, which has doubled over the last ten years.
At the same time, drink use is at a record low, with numerous individuals opting for alternatives like marijuana.
It is important to note that forty percent of study participants were diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
While marijuana could serve as a potential alternative to heavy alcohol use, scientists caution that further research is required.
“We’re not ready to tell people in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and replace marijuana, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author noted.
