And the illegality of marijuana has also limited research in this field. Marijuana smokers tend to smoke much less than cigarette smokers, as some may smoke one joint a few times a week. Finally, Baler said, because the drug is typically smoked, it can bring on bronchitis, coughing and chronic inflammation of the air passages.
With increasing doses of alcohol, however, there is general dose-dependent lowering of both sustained attention and overall attentional capacity, with consequently more concentration paid to the main component of a complex skill (steering, for example), and less and less attention paid to secondary tasks (such as speed or driving skill). Experimental research measures the potential risk of an accident using a driving simulator or driving course. As marijuana is the most commonly used drug of abuse, having been tried by 40% of the population,3 and is also smoked most commonly in the age group that also has the most road traffic accidents, the contribution of marijuana smoking to road traffic accidents is of great concern to both governments and clinicians responsible for counseling patients with substance abuse problems. Accidents are the fifth leading cause of death in the US; nearly half are motor vehicle accidents, which according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) killed 38,588 people in 2006 alone.1 Motor vehicle accidents are the nation’s leading cause of death in those under 30.2 The contribution of drugs of abuse to this accident rate has attracted increasing attention in recent years because of the dramatic increase in drug use. Both alcohol and marijuana use have consequences, and how dire these consequences are will depend on different factors. As far as the pressing question of whether marijuana or alcohol is worse goes, the answer isn’t as simple as you’d anticipate.
Increased Risk of Alcohol Abuse on Teenagers
When you use it safely, marijuana has many medicinal benefits.8 It’s especially helpful for people with chronic pain. But if you’re getting drunk every day, or blacking out every time you go to the bar, you may be more vulnerable to addiction. Binge and heavy drinking also play a significant role in developing alcohol use disorder.
The long-term health effects of alcohol and cannabis differ from person to person. Alcohol is linked to negative short- and long-term health effects, including liver disease, heart disease, and cancer. Both alcohol and marijuana can be dangerous substances, and addiction is a potential risk regardless of perceived safety.
Now while cannabis deaths caused by disease, illness or drug interactions there are some data points regarding accidents, specifically car accidents. This post will elaborate on the impacts of alcohol vs. weed on your health, body, driving skills, fatality numbers, and the toll they can take on your life. Health Canada also suggests, “based on what is currently known, the risk of cannabis addiction is lower than the risk of addiction to alcohol.” “The risks of alcohol intoxication are deadly — and it’s especially a risk for people who are naïve to the risks of alcohol.”
Weed Vs Alcohol On Brain
Like with anything else, cannabis and alcohol use will impact each person differently. Some research suggests that cannabis use may exacerbate or accelerate existing liver conditions, while specific cannabinoids may target the approach better. Additionally, there simply isn’t enough research surrounding cannabis and its impact on the liver to say that it’s necessarily the better choice. While there is currently no evidence that cannabis leads to liver conditions, it may be best to avoid THC in favor of hemp-derived THCA, CBD, CBDA, THCV, and beta-caryophyllene.
- For some people, drinking leads to addiction, as 29.5 million people from the young age of 12 and up have an alcohol use disorder, according to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSUDH).
- In comparison, a 2008 study by the nonpartisan British think tank the Beckley Foundation found that the public health impact of cannabis use is modest compared to alcohol.
- Thankfully, as more states legalize cannabis and recreational sales we can observe more data about the effect on death and accident rates.
- It’s important to note that when cannabis gets legalized many people may use cannabis semi-legally by consuming illegally purchased cannabis which can lead to them consuming more than standard dosages.
- “We know very well the risks and harms of alcohol,” Dr. Leslie Buckley, chief of the Addictions Division at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), told the Star.
- Multiple studies have found a link between daily cannabis use and heart problems.
- This chemical surge provides temporary relief from negative emotions and can produce increased confidence, sociableness, relaxation or elation.
Which Is Worse for Your Liver: Cannabis or Alcohol?
Though it may not be as widely discussed as other major health concerns like heart disease or cancer, liver disease is a common health condition that affects millions of people. Some of the well-known physical health effects of marijuana include slowed motor skills as well as emphysema from exposure to marijuana smoke and other chemicals in cannabis. For some people, drinking leads to addiction, as 29.5 million people from the young age of 12 and up have an alcohol use disorder, according to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSUDH).
“On the other hand, the number of crimes that are committed that have some sort of alcohol component related to them are massive — hundreds of thousands a year, if not more,” he said. “After going through all the data and looking at which is more dangerous in almost any metric you would pick, pot really looks like it’s safer than alcohol,” he said. But then he acknowledges transitioning back to life after rehab they’re not exactly equivalent — and he considers alcohol much more dangerous. Marijuana and alcohol both affect teens—and both can become a problem. Alcohol poisoning is an immediate danger with alcohol use. Marijuana has also proven to have an impact on the developing teen brain.
One such product that’s currently making waves is liquid marijuana. That honor goes to cannabis concentrates, which you can find in various forms and flavors. Nitrous may be fun in the moment, but some pretty bad health issues present themselves not long after.
Consequences of Drinking Alcohol
- But then he acknowledges they’re not exactly equivalent — and he considers alcohol much more dangerous.
- In contrast with culpability studies, case control studies compare the prevalence of marijuana use among drivers injured or killed in traffic accidents with a control group of other drivers.
- It affects gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which can cause relaxation but long term use of alcohol can affect your levels of GABA or glutamate in the nervous system.
- Combining marijuana with alcohol eliminates the ability to use such strategies effectively, however, and results in impairment even at doses that would be insignificant were they of either drug alone.
- Although not all marijuana smokers are impulsive risk-takers, impulsive risk-takers are likely to smoke marijuana, drive recklessly, and also smoke marijuana before driving.
- Tiredness is a symptom that both cannabis users and alcohol drinkers can both experience from their respective substances.
- Most studies are fraught with methodological problems that could lead to underreporting of drug use or misclassification of experimental subjects into or out of the marijuana-using category, confounding results.
CAMH also advises against cannabis Meth Withdrawal Symptoms use at a young age, as well as smoking the substance. “Between three and six standard drinks per week is moderate risk, and seven or more standard drinks per week would have increasingly higher risk.” “I think it’s fair to say that in both cases, heavy use of either is going to lead to poor health outcomes,” Voineskos finished. Buckley added that, because we’re all different, we may each be affected in different ways by the two drugs. “From health care, lost productivity and violent crime…
Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide. Health experts advise talking openly with your doctor about any substance use and reviewing your personal risk factors. New products—such as edibles, beverages, and particularly gummies—can contain high doses of THC, the primary psychoactive compound that makes users benzo belly “high.”
This cycle can quickly lead to addiction. That means you’ll have to drink more and more to feel the same effects. If you keep drinking regularly, your tolerance can increase.
Research indicates less severe physical dependence compared to alcohol, but psychological dependency occurs in approximately 9% of users. From addiction potential to long-term health consequences, the science behind these substances reveals surprising truths that might challenge your assumptions. You’ve probably heard conflicting opinions about which substance poses greater risks. The age-old debate between alcohol and marijuana continues to spark heated discussions in social circles and medical communities alike.
Although drinking may temporarily provide relief from of symptoms, it ultimately exacerbates depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Some people use alcohol as a way to self-medicate symptoms from mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Brain SPECT scans of heavy drinkers evaluated at Amen Clinics show low blood flow in the brain, which is the #1 brain-imaging predictor that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Binge drinking leads to a litany of serious consequences, such as injuries, violence, risky sexual behavior, unwanted pregnancy, and more. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) show that in the U.S., approximately 30% of all traffic accident deaths involve drunk driving.
Alcohol vs Weed: How Similar Are Their Effects on the Body?
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It can cause mood swings and we’re all familiar with people who are “angry drunks.” The impact of alcohol can vary based on how much you’re using and how your body interacts with it. It’s important to understand the distinct difference between alcohol and cannabis addiction. Both alcohol and cannabis should not be consumed when driving. While there is the possibility for occasional deaths and accidents caused by cannabis use there isn’t sufficient data to compare it to alcohol. Additionally, while the CDC does not track marijuana related deaths since there’s negligible numbers it reports more than 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use. Legalization does not remove the risk but it’s still significantly lower than confirmed alcohol-related deaths.
Does THC Increase Dopamine?
Heavy drinkers may deal with diminished gray matter in the brain along with loss of attention span and memory. And for teens and young adults, it’s far less safe, a key reason legislators always factor age restrictions into THC- and alcohol-related laws. Alcohol is legal for adults to use—as is medical and recreational cannabis in many states—but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.
But it’s up to you to decide if marijuana products will benefit you in the long run. Some see cannabis as a safer alternative to prescription opioids and other narcotics. However, only a professional can diagnose you with alcohol use disorder. With a clearer sense of your own drinking habits, you can decide on next steps. It might be hard to notice when your drinking becomes a problem. For many people, it’s perfectly safe to have a drink or two with friends on occasion.
One 2022 study that followed more than 430,000 adults for 14 years found people who had more than one drink a day shortened their life spans by approximately 6.9 years. With the new year comes Dry January and a new surgeon general’s advisory on alcohol and cancer risk. CBD, or cannabidiol, another active compound in cannabis that is an essential ingredient in medical marijuana and some therapeutics, appears safer. That’s of concern because, following increased commercialization of the substance, the levels of THC in cannabis have skyrocketed in recent decades.
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