Weed Might Make You Drink Less: What Science Says

Ever wondered if smoking weed could make you drink less? A recent study suggests it might. Researchers created a fake bar to test this idea. They gave participants different types of cannabis and tracked how much alcohol they consumed. The results were interesting. People who smoked stronger cannabis drank about 27% less alcohol. Those who had a weaker strain drank about 19% less. Both groups also took longer to have their first drink. This could mean that cannabis might reduce the urge to drink alcohol. The study was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. It's part of a growing interest in something called "California sober. " This term refers to people who replace alcohol with cannabis or other substances. Another study in Colorado found similar results. Stoned participants drank about 25% less alcohol and had fewer cravings for it. These findings suggest that weed might help some people drink less, at least in the short term. However, the study had some limitations. It was conducted in a lab setting, which is different from real-world environments like bars or parties. Different settings can affect people's behavior and inhibitions. Not everyone reacted the same way. A small group of participants in the Colorado study actually drank more after using cannabis. This shows that individual differences matter a lot. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects. Currently, there are few evidence-based guidelines for marijuana use. Studies like this could help health officials provide better advice for people who want to enjoy themselves safely.