It can be a lot of fun to enjoy some drinks with friends from time to time, but what if you’re already using cannabis to manage your health? Can you consume them at the same time? Known as “crossfading,” a growing body of research suggests that mixing cannabis and alcohol can lead to some unintended consequences, including an increased risk of side effects, impaired judgment, and other outcomes.
If you’ve ever considered lighting a joint after a beer, you’ll want to know exactly what to expect. Take a deep dive with us as we reveal the science-based information you can use to make the best choices for your health and safety—and to get the most from your cannabis experience.
Can You Mix Alcohol and Cannabis?
The way our bodies metabolize the combination of alcohol and cannabis is complex. Most of us know that alcohol is best used in moderation, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, “Your liver breaks down alcohol to remove it from your body because it’s a toxin. But when blood alcohol content (BAC) levels are high, your liver can’t remove the toxins quickly enough. The extra alcohol in your bloodstream acts as a depressant. This means that it slows down your body’s normal functions.”
Let’s face it: A glass of wine or a cold beer after work are common ways for many people to unwind. In this regard, alcohol is treated not too differently from cannabis, which is known for its fantastic ability to induce relaxation and get the good vibes flowing. Many use cannabis as an alternative to the relaxing effects of alcohol. But is it safe to enjoy them together? That depends.
The bottom line is that we’re all different. The way we react to cannabis is heavily dependent on variables such as weight, age, prior experience with cannabis, and dosage; the same can be said for alcohol. In addition, many cannabis consumers can derive greater benefits from smaller amounts of weed, a consumption method known as “microdosing.”
What’s the Research on Combining Cannabis with Alcohol?
We know that both alcohol and cannabis can affect perception. Alcohol does so through the compound known as either ethyl alcohol or ethanol, and cannabis does so primarily through tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most abundant cannabinoid in the plant responsible for the psychoactive “high” effects.
Does mixing alcohol and cannabis change how we interact with each of them? One study looked at this very question. Researchers found that when participants consumed alcohol before smoking, it intensified their high, not only on a subjective level but objectively, too. The study found that mixing cannabis and alcohol resulted in a higher blood concentration of THC compared to using cannabis alone.
While this might sound like a good thing for those looking to intensify the effects of cannabis, there are limits to how far this feel-good potential can go. Remember, consuming alcohol can impair judgment, so if you were to consume a drink (or two) too many before adding some cannabis to the mix, you could be risking the dizzy, sweaty, and nauseous feeling of being way too high.
On the other hand, if you use cannabis before you start drinking, it can change the way your body absorbs the alcohol. We’ve known about this effect for quite some time. One study from 1992 showed that cannabis can alter the motility of the GI tract, causing blood alcohol levels to vary in different ways than from just consuming alcohol alone—making it harder to predict the exact effects of either intoxicant.
A more recent study confirmed that the interaction between alcohol and cannabis is a complex and nuanced one, and it can lead to unpredictable and unintended consequences. The takeaway? Both cannabis and alcohol are best used in moderation, and there are potential setbacks in combining the two.
How to Avoid Potential Side Effects
Combining alcohol and cannabis can be tricky to get right, and there are real risks and some negative side effects if you overdo it from either.
- While alcohol can make you feel more relaxed and confident, it can also impair your judgment and movement and make it harder to think clearly. You may experience slurred speech, impaired balance, nausea, and heightened emotions, which can all be exacerbated with the introduction of cannabis.
- If you over-consume THC, you may potentially experience dizziness, nausea, anxiety, paranoia, and impaired perception or body movements. As above, these negative symptoms can be greatly enhanced with the introduction of alcohol.
So, if you plan on enjoying a few drinks after a session, just be aware that drinking can change the way your body absorbs THC. To ensure you have the best possible experience, start low and go slow, drink lots of water, and listen closely to your body.
Shop Green Goods for Delicious Non-Alcoholic THC Beverages
If you’re planning on mixing alcohol and weed, bear in mind that different cannabis consumption methods can bring on different effects, as can various types of alcohol. Know your limits before diving in, and start with what you’re familiar with—you can always have more, but you can’t have less.
Looking to skip the alcohol? We’re here for you! Head to the Green Goods dispensary closest to you, browse our extensive menus, and find plenty of tasty THC and CBD-infused beverages, including lemonades, sodas, teas, and so much more!
Once you stock up on all your favorites, head on over to our cannabis blog and take a deep dive into cannabis-infused drinks, how cannabis gets its signature smell, and other cannabis-related topics.
Have more questions? Ask one of our friendly budtenders or drop us a line—we’re always here to help!
