What Happens if You Combine Marijuana and Alcohol?
Marijuana and alcohol are both very popular in the United States, but the effects of combining the two remain unknown to many. Mixing weed and alcohol can be dangerous as it can cause you to become more intoxicated than you intend. It can also increase the risk of substance abuse.
Before combining substances, it’s important to remember that one person can respond very differently from the next person, so it’s essential to proceed with caution. This is especially true if you're a rookie. The strain you use, how you consume it, and even the order of consumption can affect your experience, and it's best to be informed to avoid any unwelcome effects.
Combining Cannabis and Alcohol
Consuming weed and alcohol together is common, especially among young adults and college students. The order in which people take the two substances may affect the experience and, if not taken responsibly, could also increase the risk of overconsumption.
People can have different reactions to consuming the same amount of cannabis or alcohol. It is important to understand your personal tolerance for both substances in order to avoid adverse effects such as greening out, spins, or drunkenness.
People new to mixing these two substances are advised to opt for low-THC-content strains with their alcoholic beverages to avoid greening out. Take steps to get unhigh if you or somebody you're with is feeling dizzy, nauseous, vomiting, or sweating.
Alcohol Before Weed
Smoking weed after you drink alcohol can intensify the effects of cannabis. The main psychoactive compound found in weed, THC, is absorbed at an increased rate after consuming alcohol, leading to a potentially stronger high.
Though this may be desirable for experienced weed users, for the less experienced this may cause the unpleasant effects of a "green out," including nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and increased sweating.
Studies have also reported that combining alcohol and weed affects people's ability to drive more than drinking alone. It is imperative therefore for consumers wishing to mix alcohol and cannabis to do it at home or in a place where they don't need to drive a vehicle afterwards.
Exercise Caution When Combining Alcohol and Weed
Because alcohol can strengthen the effects of THC, it's important to tread lightly when mixing alcohol with cannabis, especially if you're sensitive to cannabis or if you're a relatively new user. The "start low, go slow" mantra applies here. Proceed with caution and watch for any signs your body gives you to stop or reduce your consumption.
Weed Before Alcohol
There is limited scientific evidence on how taking cannabis before drinking alcohol affects the body and mind. A 1992 study suggested that smoking weed before taking alcohol could slow the absorption of alcohol. Cannabis’ antiemetic effects may also make it harder for you to vomit up alcohol if you have too much.
If it is indeed true that cannabis slows down the body's ability to absorb alcohol, consumers should be aware that feelings of drunkenness will also be delayed. This means that knowing how drunk you are can be more difficult to judge. Pacing both your use of cannabis and alcohol should give you a better idea of how your body is handling the experience.
Activities like driving, using machinery, or any other activity that could endanger you or others must be avoided after consuming cannabis and alcohol. Be aware of your own limits and take care of the people you’re with if they show any signs of overconsumption.
Alcohol and Edibles
A 2015 study reported that participants who consumed cannabis with alcohol had much higher THC levels than others who only consumed cannabis. This could be because alcohol dilates blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract, meaning THC can be absorbed more quickly. This is relevant to the consumption of edibles as they, in the same way as alcohol, are processed through the liver prior to entering the bloodstream.
Those familiar with edibles will know that experiencing a high typically takes longer than when smoking cannabis, as they have to be metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream. This can make highs less predictable. It may also be more difficult to measure how much cannabis you're consuming with edibles, especially if they're homemade.
For this reason, it's not recommended to mix alcohol with edibles. However, if you have experience with edibles and wish to cross-fade, make sure you purchase your edibles from a reputable and licensed dispensary where your products are properly tested and labeled. This way, you'll have a much clearer idea of how much THC you're consuming.
Side Effects and Risks of Getting "Cross-Faded"
The concept of being "cross-faded" was studied by Patrick & Lee with a young adult survey conducted in Seattle, Washington. According to this study, young adults used the term “cross-faded” to refer to either the act of using alcohol and marijuana—or other substances—at the same time, or the effects of it, namely being both drunk and high at the same time. Being cross-faded can create a unique but unpredictable high that is different from the effect of consuming each substance separately.
Though some consumers may enjoy the heightened effects of THC that are caused by alcohol, users should be aware of the potential side effects and risks that getting cross-faded can entail:
Intoxication Risks
Because every individual is different, combining weed and alcohol can have vastly different effects from person to person. Your weed tolerance level, the strain used, the amount consumed, and how you consume it can affect your experience and how intoxicated you become. After combining marijuana and alcohol, some people may become paranoid and make dangerous choices. This is easier avoided by consuming each substance separately.
Risk of Substance Abuse
Frequent consumers should be mindful of the increased risk of dependence or drug abuse if they cross-fade too often as they may find they need higher doses of THC to achieve the same effect. Frequent drinkers can also experience this same issue, with frequent cross-fading potentially leading to alcohol addiction or binge drinking.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning to Watch Out for
Studies suggest that people who consume marijuana and alcohol simultaneously generally consume more of both. As a result, consumers should be aware of the effects of alcohol abuse such as alcohol poisoning, and the signs to look out for in the case of severe intoxication.
According to the NIH, possible signs of alcohol poisoning include:
Mental confusion
Loss of consciousness
Vomiting
Seizures
Trouble breathing
Slowed heart rate
Clammy skin
Dulled responses including no gag reflex
Very low body temperature
Because an alcohol overdose can cause permanent brain damage or in the most extreme cases can even be life-threatening, it’s critical to familiarize yourself with the signs of alcohol poisoning and seek urgent medical care if you or someone around you displays one or more of these signs.
Responding to a THC Overdose (Green Out)
If you suspect that you or somebody else may be suffering from a green out (ill effects from overdosing on THC), the following tips may help:
Find a quiet place to sit (or lie) it out. Green out symptoms will eventually fade and disappear, it's just a question of time and patience. Find somewhere quiet to rest until you start feeling better.
Try eating or drinking something. Staying hydrated is important as both alcohol and weed can lead to dehydration and side effects of dehydration like dry mouth, dizziness, and headaches. Some fruit or a sugary drink can boost your blood sugar, relieving dizziness. Water can also help to get your body back to normal faster.
Stay with someone. Talking to a friend can help you remain calm.
Take an OTC anti-inflammatory medication. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen may lessen the cognitive effects of THC.
Counteract THC with CBD. CBD can be effective in moderating the effects of THC. Using a CBD-only tincture is an effective way to consume CBD without the risk of ingesting any more THC.
Other Possible Remedies for Greening Out
There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that lemon, pine nuts, and peppercorns can help with symptoms of greening out. These foods contain limonene, pinene, and caryophyllene, which are terpenes that can help reduce the intensity of a high.
Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice or zest may have some effect on decreasing the effects of THC and could help to relieve the symptoms of a green out
Pine nuts: Eat some lightly toasted pine nuts to benefit from the effects of pinene.
Peppercorns: Chewing on peppercorns or inhaling the scent of some freshly crushed peppercorns are said by some to have a similar effect to lemons in reducing the effects of a green out.
Important note: If someone has been drinking alcohol and consuming marijuana and appears to be very unwell, it’s best to seek medical attention urgently rather than waiting for the effects to pass.
Marijuana and Alcohol Are Best Enjoyed Separately
Mixing marijuana with alcohol may seem attractive to people looking for a new experience. However, it’s safest to enjoy each substance separately and avoid combining the two.
If you intend to experiment with cross-fading, drink first and see how you feel before you start consuming cannabis. Then, take it extremely slow, choose low-THC strains, and cease consumption if you start feeling any ill effects.