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8h ago

Randomized Trial Finds THC Cannabis Cuts Short-Term Alcohol Intake

Researchers caution the lab-only findings do not justify using cannabis as a substitute for alcohol.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - APRIL 14: A recreational marijuana smoker indulges in smoking weed on April 14, 2020 in the Bushwick section of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. As some smokers turn to smoking weed to ease their stress during the coronavirus pandemic, some doctors are warning that cannabis can cause airway inflammation that could cause complications should a user become a victim of COVID-19. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • In a Brown University randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, participants drank about 19% less after 3.1% THC and 27% less after 7.2% THC compared with placebo.
  • Cannabis also delayed the first drink in the lab bar setting, with higher-THC sessions pushing initiation later than placebo.
  • The trial enrolled 157 adults ages 21–44 who were heavy drinkers and used cannabis at least twice weekly, offering up to eight drinks over two hours with small cash incentives to decline drinks.
  • Authors and independent experts stress the results apply to short-term, controlled conditions and may not generalize to social or real-world use, where some individuals could drink more after cannabis.
  • Funded by NIAAA with cannabis supplied by NIDA, the study is described as the first randomized trial to test cannabis’ causal effect on alcohol use, and follow-up trials are underway on concurrent use, CBD versus THC, real-world behavior, and longer-term outcomes.