High-dose or heavy use would likely increase addiction risk, cannabis hyperemesis, arrhythmias, respiratory issues (if smoked), acute panic, psychosis, cognitive decline, accidents, and intoxication emergencies. Low-dose chronic THC is likely to impair attention, increase impaired driving risks, and produce dependency, withdrawal, anxiety, and tachycardia. One study showed that cannabis users had about a six-fold increase in heart attack risk, four-fold increase in ischemic stroke risk, and double the heart-failure risk versus non-users. There has long been speculation that cannabis legalization would reduce alcohol consumption. While the focus has been on Gen Z and millennials, more recently, some baby boomers are also switching to cannabis from alcohol, because of recent studies challenging decades of alcohol benefits and raising alarm over drinking. It’s important to keep in mind, though that fewer studies are available about the harmful effects of marijuana, making the data inconclusive.
Is it safe to mix cannabis and alcohol?
However, different external influences can impact the way these substances affect us individually, making it difficult to determine which one is more harmful to our health. Drinking alcohol and using marijuana both have detrimental effects on our health. The evidence tells us to limit harmful substances, both alcohol and marijuana. Diagnoses for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD) must meet certain criteria in the DSM-5, professional reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions. As we’ve looked more in depth at the health effects of alcohol and marijuana, we might find ourselves comparing the long list of impacts.
Which is worse for your liver: cannabis or alcohol?
The most severe mental health risk of THC-heavy cannabis use is psychosis among those who are vulnerable to psychosis. Both alcohol and cannabis affect the brain, but differently. The cancer risk from cannabis appears to be primarily related to smoking rather than the cannabinoids themselves and, thus, one can always use edibles or tinctures to eliminate the risks from smoking. The lore–and some scientific evidence suggests–that drivers under the influence of cannabis are aware of their impairment and attempt to compensate for it by, for example, slowing down, focusing attention and not taking risks. Perhaps the most striking difference between cannabis and alcohol is acute toxicity — the risk of fatal overdose. Both substances have been used by humans for thousands of years, yet their risk profiles differ substantially.
Some research suggests possible protective effects of cannabinoids against certain cancers, though this remains under investigation. The relationship between cannabis and cancer is less clear. Even moderate drinking contributes to cancer risk.
Like alcohol, marijuana is also highly accepted socially, which also makes it one of the most highly used illicit drugs. While high alcohol consumption may benefit individual companies, it has detrimental impacts on our economy. While data show that alcohol misuse today is more prevalent than marijuana misuse, both are alarmingly common.
Cannabis vs. Alcohol: Both Come With Health Risks
- Suppose many more individuals substitute most alcohol with THC beverages.
- The rise of THC-infused beverages represents a significant shift from the alcohol-only landscape of social substance use in the US.
- Less long-term harm and emerging neuroprotection potential.
Crossfading can amplify the worst effects of both substances and increase the chances of harm. In fact, research suggests that any amount of cannabis use reduces the number of days people in alcohol treatment spend abstaining from alcohol—suggesting that it is not an effective way to manage withdrawal symptoms. Some people have explored using marijuana to help with alcohol recovery, either by making withdrawal symptoms more tolerable or by serving as a substitute for alcohol use. Choosing to avoid combining weed and alcohol can protect your physical health and improve your mental clarity. That might sound appealing, but it significantly increases your risk of harmful health outcomes, especially if you’re not used to either substance. Combining these substances can intensify the effects of both.
Is Cannabis Better Than Alcohol? A Science-Backed Comparison for Modern Wellness
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer — meaning there’s strong evidence it causes cancer in humans. One challenge is that cannabis is often consumed with tobacco, which makes it difficult to assign cause. Cannabis’s physical health impacts are less severe, but certainly not absent. The World Health Organization estimates that alcohol contributes to over 3 million deaths globally each year. Drivers under the influence of cannabis tend to give greater distance to vehicles in front of them and tend to decrease their speed.
Immediate Physical Effects: The First Few Hours
Cannabis, on the other hand, tends to mellow people out. Alcohol may be legal, but it’s often the catalyst for violence, trauma, and family collapse. This isn’t just about science — it’s about who you become when you use it. However, individual factors like genetics, medical conditions, and local laws should influence your personal choice. While cannabis won’t make you a genius, it can help unlock your existing potential. Less long-term harm and emerging neuroprotection potential.
Which is more addictive: cannabis or alcohol?
Moreover, today’s cannabis is far more potent than what older users remember, said Ziva Cooper, PhD, research director of the Marijuana vs alcohol UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Using cannabis before age 25 may also harm the developing brain, potentially affecting memory, attention, and decision-making. “You can miss a step as you age, and then fall, without taking any substances,” she said. In January, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the link between alcohol and at least seven types of cancer, including breast and colorectal.
If you’re ready to try cannabis as your wellness upgrade, start small, stay informed, and surround yourself with tools that support you. I’ve helped hundreds of folks transition away from alcohol, and I’ve seen how freeing it can be—not just physically, but emotionally and creatively. For many, it’s about moderation, curiosity, and intention.
“After 45+ years in cannabis culture, I’ve seen both substances affect lives. “At 57, I feel sharper, healthier, and more energized using cannabis than I ever did when I was drinking. So while the jury’s still out on long-term cannabis use and cancer, the evidence against alcohol is overwhelming. During Dry January 2025, 21% of participants reported substituting cannabis for alcohol — not just abstaining, but actively choosing weed as their wellness replacement.
Sobering Statistics on Related Harms: Alcohol vs. Weed
But it’s not in the same league. It often requires inpatient treatment to safely detox due to the life-threatening nature of alcohol withdrawal (seizures, delirium tremens). You might nap a little longer or feel groggy, but you’re not vomiting at 3AM, texting your ex, or wondering where your pants are. Most people notice the difference right away.
There is no safe level when it comes to cancer and alcohol. Even moderate drinking increases breast cancer risk. Alcohol may feel fun at 25, but at 55, it often comes with scars.
Although both are intoxicants that alter perception and behavior, the differences between them in terms of health consequences, addiction potential, and societal impact are stark. “If you’re looking to support your mind, cannabis isn’t just safer than alcohol — it’s smarter.” Both substances impair driving, but alcohol is far more dangerous. Cannabis can provide relaxation and social benefits without alcohol’s negative health effects, making it an effective harm reduction tool.
According to data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 28.9 million people ages 12 and older had AUD in the past year. These effects are especially dangerous when driving or operating machinery. While small amounts can create a feeling of relaxation or lowered inhibition, larger amounts impair physical coordination, slow reaction times, and disrupt decision-making. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows down brain activity and bodily functions.
- It often requires inpatient treatment to safely detox due to the life-threatening nature of alcohol withdrawal (seizures, delirium tremens).
- Consumer enthusiasm is growing for drinks infused with cannabis, primarily Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- While the focus has been on Gen Z and millennials, more recently, some baby boomers are also switching to cannabis from alcohol, because of recent studies challenging decades of alcohol benefits and raising alarm over drinking.
- Mixing alcohol and marijuana may be common, but that doesn’t make it safe.
Cannabis also has a particular appeal for older adults who want fewer hangover effects and a drink fitting wellness-oriented senior lifestyles. The cannabis products are marketed as “better for you,” without hangovers, with fewer calories or less intoxication (depending on dosage). Consumer enthusiasm is growing for drinks infused with cannabis, primarily Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The percentage of drinking adults in the US has been dropping since 2010, and the trend away from alcohol is accelerating. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
