{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/alcohol/2","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2533-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Be a Healthier Substitute for Alcohol? ","slug":"can-cannabis-be-a-healthier-substitute-for-alcohol","content":"Alcohol is part of the social fabric in many countries around the world. From toasts at a wedding to a night out with friends or a relaxing evening after a hard day’s work, drinking can boost mood, ease stress and reduce inhibitions. \r\n\r\nBut this legal drug can also cause great harm, both to the individual who consumes it and to the society at large. Around [88,000 deaths annually are attributed to alcohol](https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm) in some way, including suicide, homicide and deaths from alcohol-related complications such as heart and liver damage. \r\n\r\nNow, though, evidence is mounting that cannabis in its many forms can be a safer alternative to alcohol, an effective substitute for many of the reasons people choose to drink in the first place. Relatively recent research suggests that for many people, [cannabis could even provide a way out of alcohol abuse](https://www.salon.com/2017/07/09/the-key-to-treating-alcoholism-with-medical-marijuana-the-key-to-treating-alcoholism-with-medical-marijuana_partner/).  To see why, it’s important to consider the reasons people choose to use alcohol in the first place.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n \r\n### Why People Drink: To Feel or Not to Feel\r\n\r\nFor decades, researchers have worked to understand why people use alcohol, and why some can enjoy an occasional social drink without going further, while others become dependent on alcohol—or outright addicted. Those studies reveal numerous reasons for abusing alcohol that can include genetic, social and economic factors. But British physician Bruce G. Charlton has noted that the [fundamental reasons for drinking\r\ncan be reduced to just two: a desire to experience a good feeling or to avoid experiencing a painful one](https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hci067).  \r\n\r\nFor example, someone might drink at a party to drive away feelings of social awkwardness— or to feel relaxed, euphoric and happy, while a person suffering from depression might drink to escape sadness and feelings of inadequacy. And someone with debilitating arthritis might turn to alcohol to cope with chronic pain. Whether to feel good or avoid feeling bad, Charlton claims, people typically turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication.\r\n\r\n### Alcohol Has Powerful Effects on the Pleasure-Reward Circuit\r\n\r\nLike other drugs, alcohol affects the brain’s pleasure-reward-learning circuit. This is a complex and powerful loop of neural activity that produces positive feelings in response to certain behaviors, so that we repeat those behaviors again and again. This circuit can be hijacked by potent substances like opioid drugs and alcohol, which trigger a larger than normal production of “feel good” brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine while suppressing the levels of other, balancing neurotransmitters. \r\n\r\nAlcohol affects not only the pleasure-reward-learning pathway, but also other areas of the brain related to coordination, memory and the executive functions of the cerebral cortex. These functions include decision-making, impulse control and managing emotion. Alcohol can also depress activity in the brain stem and lower response to pain signals from various parts of the body. You might have seen this when someone whose been drinking becomes drowsy, unresponsive or unaware of physical injuries.\r\n\r\nIn the long run, an [addiction to alcohol can also slowly compromise the brain and other systems in the body](https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Hangovers/beyondHangovers.pdf), increasing vulnerability to disease and causing irreversible organ damage.  \r\n\r\n### Marijuana & Alcohol: Different Effects Produce Similar Outcomes\r\n\r\nCannabis also affects the brain’s pleasure-reward-learning circuit. People who consume cannabis also typically experience feelings of euphoria, relaxation and lowered inhibitions. But [those effects come from very different mechanisms](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/120541/) in the body.\r\n\r\nThe human body contains numerous receptor networks—systems of cells capable of responding to triggers produced either by the body itself or from similar substances that are consumed from outside sources. One of the most comprehensive receptor networks in humans and other vertebrate animals is the endocannabinoid receptor system, a widespread system of receptors that responds to active cannabis compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).\r\n\r\nWhen a person consumes marijuana, those receptors are activated, producing a wide range of effects that include pain and inflammation relief, muscle relaxation and a stronger immune system. Cannabis can cause mild side effects such as impaired coordination and concentration, but has a very low risk of overdose or death. In fact, no deaths have ever been directly attributed to consuming too much cannabis. \r\n\r\nThe body has no receptor network for alcohol, though.  Alcohol acts on a variety of different receptors in the brain and body, and while it can make people feel temporarily better by altering mood and promoting relaxation, it also causes disruptions and delays in the cross talk between cells. What’s more, alcohol is essentially a neurotoxin, capable of causing brain cells to shrink and cells in other organs such as the liver to malfunction and die.\r\n\r\n### Can Cannabis Be a Healthier Alternative to Alcohol?\r\n\r\nTo find out whether cannabis could help people stop, or reduce, their use of alcohol, psychiatrist and marijuana advocate Tod Mikuriya of UC Berkeley conducted a \r\n[study of 92 patients for whom he had prescribed marijuana as a treatment for alcohol abuse](http://hams.cc/mikuriya.pdf). His 2004 study revealed two key insights about the potential for cannabis to help alcohol abuse.\r\n\r\nA majority of the people in Mikuriya’s study group reported having emotional or physical health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, arthritis, glaucoma, bipolar disorder, traumatic brain injury or chronic pain from a number of causes. Almost half acknowledged they were using alcohol as a way to cope with these conditions.  \r\n\r\nWhen study participants used cannabis rather than alcohol, many reported that their symptoms improved, and they had less need to use alcohol to relieve them. They also reported an improved quality of life, without the complications caused by alcohol such as aggression, poor judgment or trouble with law enforcement. When they stopped using cannabis, their symptoms returned—and so did the desire to drink.\r\n\r\nLike Charlton, Mikuriya observed that people frequently use alcohol to relieve emotional or physical pain—and that cannabis has well-documented benefits for treating both those things, along with the symptoms of all the conditions experienced by the patients in his study. For those reasons, he concluded, cannabis could be an effective and generally safe substitute for alcohol use.  \r\n\r\nRELATED: [CAN YOU BE ADDICTED TO MARIJUANA?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59c298a24f508a4a9adead74/can-you-be-addicted-to-marijuana)\r\n\r\n### Marijuana Maintenance—A Way Out of Alcohol Addiction?\r\n\r\nMillions are spent every year on alcohol treatment and recovery programs—but over 60% of people who enter alcohol treatment relapse anyway, often multiple times.  And for many, staying sober requires constant vigilance and sometimes the help of multiple medications to curb the desire to drink. \r\n\r\nA number of alcohol-related organizations and support groups for recovering alcoholics are now embracing “[marijuana maintenance](http://hams.cc/mm/),” a plan for staying off alcohol by [substituting cannabis products of various kinds](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3327810/) that contain either CBD or a combination of CBD and THC. For those who use alcohol as a way to relieve the pain and distress of emotional or physical conditions, cannabis products can do that too, without the considerable societal and health risks of alcohol.\r\n\r\nAnd for those who use alcohol for the opposite reason—to experience positive feelings of relaxation and euphoria—cannabis can also provide that kind of experience, with a lower risk of toxicity and harmful effects for both consumers and the world around them. Bruce Charlton, the British researcher and cannabis advocate, points out that people will always search for ways to feel better, or to escape from feeling worse. \r\n\r\nWith a low risk of addiction and a natural affinity for the body’s own receptor system, cannabis could provide that too—and become the “exit drug” from alcohol’s harmful effects that everyone’s been looking for.\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Kelsey Knight]( https://unsplash.com/@kelsoknight12)\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/14b42/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg","srcSet":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/f836f/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/2244e/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 400w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/14b42/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 800w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/47498/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 1200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/0e329/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 1600w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/77d93/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 3600w","srcWebp":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/58556/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/61e93/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/1f5c5/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 400w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/58556/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 800w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/99238/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 1200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/7c22d/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 1600w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/d4378/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 3600w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2441-markdown","title":"Millennials Choosing Cannabis over Alcohol","slug":"millennials-choosing-cannabis-over-alcohol","content":"### The Shift from Alcohol to Marijuana\n\nHealth-conscious millennials are leading a major shift in consumption behavior as the stigma of cannabis use decreases and the collective perspective of cannabis shifts in a positive direction.  A recent [report]( http://outco.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OUTCO-Millennials-Choose-Cannabis-Report.pdf) published by cannabis dispensary Outco reveals that more and more millennials are choosing cannabis over alcohol. This change occurs alongside increasing accessibility to both cannabis products and education about cannabis medical use and health benefits. Young adults show a preference for cannabis over alcohol as an effort to improve their quality of life, which could lead to less alcohol-related deaths and health issues.  \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nConducted in partnership with Monocle research, the study surveyed 2,000 cannabis users in California via in-person interviews, focus groups, and an online survey.  Participants were asked about their cannabis use, including why they use cannabis, if they replace other substances with cannabis, and why they might replace other substances with cannabis.  \n\nThe results reveal that among the millennials (born between 1982 and 2004), 51% choose cannabis over alcohol.  Further details show that among this group of Californian young adults:  34% would choose cannabis over beer, 18% would choose cannabis over wine, and 14% would choose cannabis over spirits.  The change is not limited to young adults either, the report shows that one in five Generation Xers will substitute cannabis for alcohol, as will 8% of baby boomers.  Americans decreased their alcohol consumption in 2016 by 3.5 million nine-liter cases, mostly caused by a drop in beer consumption.  With the beer industry already sinking 1.5% in 2016, this appears to be just the beginning of a trend of the declining use of alcohol and an increase in cannabis use.  \n\n### A Healthier & Safer Choice\n\nPerhaps the most interesting part of the report is that young adults choose cannabis over alcohol because they see it as a healthier and safer choice.  Cannabis is perceived as the safer option, with millennials expressing “the fear of making poor decisions” when consuming alcohol, including risky behavior like drunk driving.  That fear is based in reality, with 88,000 alcohol-related deaths a year in the United States.  A February 2017 study at the Boston University School of Medicine found that 28% of motor vehicle crash deaths among young people are alcohol-related.   \n\nRELATED: [ALCOHOL, NOT MARIJUANA CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5978ad212672540012a0d4ce/alcohol-not-cannabis-causes-brain-damage)\n\nThe results of the survey also showed health concerns as one of the reasons for substituting alcohol with cannabis.  “Participants shared that the effects of a hangover from alcohol lasted the entire next day, while high volumes of cannabis usage had no noticeable lasting effects; thereby making them feel healthier and more active.”  Even if they haven’t been educated on how or why cannabis is better for health than alcohol, these young adults can feel the difference in their bodies and make decisions based off their personal experiences.\n\nExcessive alcohol consumption has both short and long-term health risks, from car accidents and STD transmission, to heart disease, dementia, and alcoholism.  As the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States, it is a fact that less alcohol consumption will lead to less deaths and an improved quality of life.  \n\nIt is hopeful to see that the younger generation is catching on to the benefits of cannabis use, and it bodes well for the future health of the population.  With the [2017 World Drug Report](https://www.unodc.org/wdr2017/field/Booklet_3_Plantbased.pdf) showing zero cannabis-related deaths, this collective shift to replace alcohol with cannabis could in fact save lives.  \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient\n\n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/14b42/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.jpg","srcSet":"/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/f836f/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.jpg 200w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/2244e/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.jpg 400w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/14b42/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.jpg 800w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/47498/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.jpg 1200w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/54ac5/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/58556/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/61e93/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.webp 200w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/1f5c5/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.webp 400w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/58556/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.webp 800w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/99238/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.webp 1200w,\n/static/158dacd068060e9b56977903a0a684e3/5e0b8/ba6f77cfce06473ac2e88617d11748fb.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2467-markdown","title":"Recipe for DIY Cannabis Infused Tropical Mule Cocktail","slug":"recipe-for-diy-cannabis-infused-tropical-mule-cocktail","content":"On the wave of cannabis legalization, entrepreneurs in legal states are looking to diversify the cannabis experience for consumers. One restaurant in California is getting a head start on the recreational cannabis market by offering their clientele a unique spin on the typical cocktail. Cafe Flore in San Francisco is offering cannabis-infused (hemp-derived) cocktails before cannabis becomes recreationally legalized in the state.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \n\nCafe Flore, an iconic Castro bar, is hoping to be on the forefront of cannabis infused food, drinks, and cocktails. Currently, they're mixing up cocktails made with a high quality hemp-derived CBD extract, which was formulated with the help of Chris Emerson, the co founder of [Level Blends](https://www.hellomd.com/biz/level) vape cartridges. Hemp based products, although derived from cannabis, don't contain THC, the mind altering cannabinoid for which marijuana is so well known for. \n\nThe owners of the cafe, Aaron Silverman and Terrance Alan, have enlisted the help of Chris Longoria, the bar manager at 1760 to create their new line of  CBD-infused cocktails. The cocktails also feature fragrant terpene oils, which help to compliment the unique flavor profiles from the specific strains of cannabis used to craft the drinks. Cafe Flore is on the cutting edge of the cannabis infused drinks, but if you can't travel to San Francisco to try these cannabis cocktails, you can still make your own.\n\nI find that having a great cannabis cocktail is one of the best ways to relax at the end of the day. I enjoy making my drinks with high CBD strains of cannabis to provide me with anti-inflammatory and anxiety-relieving benefits without any of the mind altering effects. One of the easiest ways to combine cannabis with your cocktails is through the creation of a simple syrup infused with the flower of your choice. \n\nDepending on your taste, select cannabis flowers that you enjoy, but be aware of the strength of the strain you're choosing and how that could affect the overall strength of your drink. High CBD strains are a great place to start with cannabis-infused drinks in order to gain a better understanding of how the combination of cannabis and alcohol can affect you. I personally like Electra-Tsu, ACDC and Harlequin as my preferred high CBD strains.\n\n### Make a Cannabis-Infused Simple Syrup\n\nIngredients:\n\n* 2 cups water\n* 1 cup honey\n* 4 grams of decarboxylated, ground cannabis\n* 1 tbsp of vegetable derived lecithin\n\nHow To:\n\n* Boil water in a saucepan.\n* Reduce the temperature of the water and dissolve honey in the water.\n* Add cannabis.\n* Reduce heat to around 160 degrees F.\n* Cover and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.\n* Reduce heat to low and add lecithin.\n* Cook for about 10 minutes while stirring .\n* Strain through cheese cloth into a bowl placed in another bowl full of ice.\n\nRecipe note: You can also use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to make the simple syrup if you'd rather make it with sugar instead of honey.\n\n### Recipe for Tropical Mule Cocktail\n\nHere is a recipe for a tropical inspired mule cocktail with a medicated twist. This drink is perfect to enjoy throughout the warm summer months to will help you calm down after a long day. A sip of this drink makes me feel like I am spending my evening in a tropical paradise. This recipe uses ginger simple syrup, which can be made by adding a 1-inch piece of peeled and sliced ginger to the recipe while making the cannabis-infused simple syrup. The ginger can be added to the syrup at the same time the cannabis is added. \n\nIngredients:\n\n* 2 handfuls of crushed ice (either made from water or coconut water)\n* 2 oz of cannabis-infused ginger simple syrup\n* 1 oz coconut cream\n* 1 oz lime juice\n* 1/2 oz orange juice\n* 1 oz dark rum\n* 4 oz sparkling water\n* Aromatic bitters (optional)\n\nInstructions:\n\n* Add all ingredients but bitters and sparkling water to a blender.\n* Blend until combined.\n* Pour into a glass and top with sparkling water. If using bitters, add a few dots on the top of the drink.\n\nThis recipe is just a starting place, feel free to try to infuse any of your favorite cocktail recipes with the help of cannabis-infused simple syrup.\n\nEnjoy.\n\nIf you're new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/14b42/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/f836f/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.jpg 200w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/2244e/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.jpg 400w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/14b42/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.jpg 800w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/47498/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.jpg 1200w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/54ac5/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/58556/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/61e93/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.webp 200w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/1f5c5/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.webp 400w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/58556/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.webp 800w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/99238/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.webp 1200w,\n/static/f32106b833ea18a1abc01e70470e4980/5e0b8/0e2669145dc7e5380200a11edc0195d7.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2270-markdown","title":"Alcohol, Not Cannabis, Causes Brain Damage","slug":"alcohol-not-cannabis-causes-brain-damage","content":"### Moderate Drinking Damages Your Brain\r\n\r\nA 2017 study published in the _British Medical Journal_, which was conducted by the University of Oxford and the University College of London, found that even [moderate alcohol consumption could cause damage to the brain](http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353). The study looked at 500 adults over the course of 30 years and tracked their weekly alcohol consumption. \r\n\r\nThe adults in the study consumed various amounts of alcohol, the levels of which were self reported in the form of units per week. A unit of alcohol in the study was considered 25 ml liquor, 250 ml beer or 76 ml of wine. Even people in the study who consumed 14 to 21 units of alcohol per week, which is well within the guise of recommended limits of moderate alcohol consumption determined by health services, were three times more likely to suffer from hippocampal atrophy than people who consumed lower amounts of alcohol. \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\nHeavy drinkers in the study, who consumed 30 units of alcohol a week, were most at risk for brain damage, followed by moderate drinkers, and then by minimal to light drinkers, who were the least at risk for brain damage. Though this study was observational, and all of the alcohol consumption levels were self-reported, the study points to the fact that alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, could cause brain damage. \r\n\r\nIt's important to note, however, most of the people in the study were white, middle-aged males. Alcohol is normally left out of discussions about what drugs can do to the brain and what effects it can have on long-term health. It's important to recognize, however, that despite various folks claiming cannabis may have major adverse effects on brain health, alcohol may be more likely to blame. \r\n\r\n### Cannabis vs. Alcohol\r\n\r\nAnother 2017 study conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Oregon Health and Science University compared the effects of cannabis and alcohol on the brain. The study, which was published in the journal _Addictions_, found that [alcohol created adverse structure changes in the brain, while cannabis didn't](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28646566). The study used neuro-imaging data to look at changes in the brain structure in almost 1,300 adolescents and adults who consumed alcohol and/or cannabis. No brain changes were seen in the neuro-imaging of patients who consumed cannabis. Though the study isn't conclusive, it's consistent with previous findings that cannabis doesn't cause damage to the brain. \r\n\r\nA 2016 study did show [some changes in grey matter in the brain connected to cannabis consumption, though it was only associated with consumption of cannabis by adolescents before adulthood](http://herb.co/2017/07/14/brain-alcohol-cannabis/). Grey matter is responsible for large amounts of information processing in the brain, and large amounts of grey matter are associated with higher levels of intelligence. The study found that there was a decrease in grey matter associated with cannabis consumption only in adolescence, but young adults who weren't smokers before adulthood, no matter how extensive their consumption of cannabis was, didn't show a decrease in grey matter. \r\n\r\nThough the studies are preliminary, they do indicate that cannabis is far less likely to cause brain damage compared to alcohol. Though alcohol is considered to be less dangerous, it actually has the potential to cause far more damage to the human brain than cannabis. The potential for brain damage is often a rallying cry by anti-cannabis advocates to justify the continued prohibition of a potentially beneficial medication, but scientific studies have proved that these claims are completely unfounded. \r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  \r\n\r\n[Image Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfurban/39547344144/in/photolist-7fwnLG-yL3d6R-YTvN8m-23fEtB7-23JqUKw-DqCv8V-2S2Ly-r581JU-8zZFfJ-7PJK1w-avFjV-cz8Ui5-VoTow-5HnPhz-Gm6Lhq-dHHHBs-djyuoZ-6Rc8yU-xerXif-7WXrWA-GqFwo-aYp6Qx-VxnoYt-Cagf6-2mX2e-24Xh8An-oCK924-99HzjY-dSTnQi-oa8pv-5RdinR-PtTqZ-7TMHGF-5ErKdA-cgegju-8UhCaq-5ErLC3-8nB3h-8Dhm3a-hfJsEn-24Rm6NH-cE4QHY-XsmYV7-9EEiqj-6NVcuc-a8SKHP-jn99sF-dtRJRG-3hzCma-cTAgv/)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/ee604/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.png","srcSet":"/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/69585/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.png 200w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/497c6/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.png 400w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/ee604/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.png 800w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/f3583/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.png 1200w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/053e0/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.png 1246w","srcWebp":"/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/58556/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/61e93/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.webp 200w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/1f5c5/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.webp 400w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/58556/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.webp 800w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/99238/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.webp 1200w,\n/static/f79cc7b5e7e8b160a6d5f418b29bc743/1356e/5a62662d4e9fb9db7b53ef28cd857a12.webp 1246w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2308-markdown","title":"Rapid Delivery Cannabis Edibles Hit the Market","slug":"rapid-delivery-cannabis-edibles-hit-the-market","content":"### Edibles Take Awhile to 'Hit'\n\nEdibles are metabolized by the liver and are known to have a slower release of cannabinoids. It often may take up to two hours for the effects to be felt fully. For this reason, people who are new to edibles are often warned to not take another dose of an edible until they wait for their first dose to set in. The effect of an edible can last anywhere from 4-6 hours and are considered a great method of administration for addressing certain conditions, including insomnia, appetite loss, and other forms of stomach discomfort. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe adult-use market also enjoys edibles, which is evident when looking at the fast pace growth of the edibles marketplace. In Washington state, there was 121% growth in the edibles market last year alone. A recent report projected that the California edibles market may [grow to $11 billion](http://thefreshtoast.com/highway/californias-edible-market-will-hit-11-billion-next-year/)  by end of 2017. In the same report, there is an indication that millennials are choosing cannabis over alcohol and edibles make up a significant portion of this.\n\n### Rapid Onset Edibles are Here\n\nAs the adult use market grows, so does the desire for a more rapid onset for edibles. 1906, a Colorado edible company founded by Peter Barsoom, developed a series of edibles that are meant to be felt in fifteen to twenty minutes. The edibles are created using a proprietary lipid microencapuslation process that allows cannabinoids to, “bypass the stomach and get into the small intestine faster. It also allows more of the THC to get into the blood,” [according to Peter Barsoom](https://www.forbes.com/sites/julieweed/2017/05/25/cannabis-entrepreneurs-introduce-rapid-delivery-edibles-that-are-more-like-alchohol/#1c3b32d3351e). \n\nBarsoom was inspired to create the edibles so, “people don’t have six hours to set aside for a date with an edible”. Each edible comes in the form of a chocolate bite, and is formulated to achieve a certain effect, be that sleep, relaxation, or energy. All of the edibles are also said to contain a “mild dosage” with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD per bite-sized piece of chocolate. \n\n### A Niche Market will Grow\n\nThe 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC in the 1906 edibles and the rapid onset of the effects allows them to be easily microdosed or be taken one at a time building upon each other to reach the proper dose. 1906’s rapid release edibles mark a new point in the world of cannabis. Currently, 1906 is the only company on the market producing rapid released edibles, but it is a niche that more companies will presumably soon break in to. \n\nAs many people have been moving away from smoking flower, edibles have become increasingly more desirable. Rapid release edibles allow for a more alcohol-like experience for recreational consumers and a quicker release of medication for medicinal consumers.  Companies are quickly innovating with their cannabis products to fill the ever growing niches in one of the fastest growing industries in the country. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/14b42/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.jpg","srcSet":"/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/f836f/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.jpg 200w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/2244e/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.jpg 400w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/14b42/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.jpg 800w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/47498/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.jpg 1200w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/54ac5/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/58556/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/61e93/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.webp 200w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/1f5c5/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.webp 400w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/58556/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.webp 800w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/99238/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.webp 1200w,\n/static/60c5472c824bce0c1e65d41e462d6bee/5e0b8/bf8a6eb3e07f24146cc72af89270f478.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2301-markdown","title":"Mixing Marijuana & Alcohol","slug":"mixing-marijuana-and-alcohol","content":"### Cannabis & Alcohol\n\nDrug and alcohol interactions are extremely common and many prescription drugs are suggested to not be mixed alcohol due to potential problems. Cannabis has far less interactions than many other drugs on the market, though those interactions can vary greatly based on the strain of cannabis and its cannabinoid concentrations. Currently, there are still limited studies on the interactions between cannabis and alcohol, there have been some interesting findings on connections between the two. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nA recent [study from the University of Iowa](http://www.academia.edu/18889569/Controlled_Cannabis_Vaporizer_Administration_Blood_and_Plasma_Cannabinoids_with_and_without_Alcohol) published in 2015 found that THC levels in the blood are increased when alcohol is consumed along side of cannabis. The study, which was published in Clinical Chemistry, looked at occasional cannabis consumers who ingested cannabis a maximum of a few times a week. The study concluded that alcohol increased the distribution of THC, as well as changed the way the body metabolized and absorbed THC. These findings were not surprising to the researchers, however, because of alcohol’s consistent interactions with other substances. \n\n### Increasing THC Levels\n\nIt is important to consider the increased THC levels, particularly in relation to driving under the influence. Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous and has serious implications for individuals and the community alike. It is important to be aware of this possibility of heightened levels of THC when being mixing cannabis with alcohol. These findings could also add increased complications for state law enforcement in the process to determining testing for driving under the influence charges in relation to cannabis. \n\nAnother [study from the National Institute of Drug Abuse](http://hightimes.com/news/new-study-about-pot-and-alcohol-has-serious-implications/), found that people who consumed cannabis had differential consumption patterns with alcohol. The study from 1985 found that when cannabis was available, people consumed less alcohol. \n\nRELATED: [RESEARCH SHOWS MARIJUANA IS NOT A GATEWAY DRUG](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57eac97c6c3015000798bacd/research-shows-marijuana-is-not-a-gateway-drug)\n\nWhen both cannabis and alcohol were available in a social setting, 14 out of 16 people drank significantly less alcohol, compared to when only alcohol was available. 12 out of 16 people, however, did consume slightly more cannabis when both products were available as well. The study concluded that in social situations people are more likely to drink less alcohol with access to cannabis, but also consume more cannabis with access to alcohol. \n\n### Side Effects\n\nOutside of increased THC levels in the blood, there have been no direct drug interactions found between cannabis and alcohol, but there are some important aspects to consider. In situations that involve the recreational use of cannabis and alcohol, there can be some effects that need to be kept in mind. If a person over consumes alcohol while consuming cannabis, the cannabinoids can reduce nausea and inhibit vomiting. \n\nThough in a medical application these qualities of cannabis can be very beneficial, they can effect the body’s ability to detect when it needs to expel toxins. The inability to vomit after over consuming alcohol can lead to increased potential for alcohol poising if toxicity isn’t properly reduced through expulsion.\n\n If you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/14b42/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/f836f/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.jpg 200w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/2244e/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.jpg 400w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/14b42/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.jpg 800w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/47498/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.jpg 1200w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/54ac5/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/58556/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/61e93/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.webp 200w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/1f5c5/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.webp 400w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/58556/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.webp 800w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/99238/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.webp 1200w,\n/static/8ad84d8592ffa81c8868b0536ae0d2ff/5e0b8/26fc40e19e3c664271d7fe1ac1a9ef3b.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1985-markdown","title":"Research Shows Marijuana is Not a Gateway Drug","slug":"research-shows-marijuana-is-not-a-gateway-drug","content":"### 40 Year Study on Marijuana & Alcohol\r\n\r\nRice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy recently released a [40 year study](http://www.bakerinstitute.org/bennett-charts/) that showed a wide range of data on drug and alcohol usage. The study was made up of government data that was collected starting in 1975, which was then compiled with the help of Brian C. Bennett. \r\n\r\nBennett, a former career analyst and now on the faculty of the University of Virginia, transferred information from yearly surveys into concise charts that allowed for easy data analysis. The data came from The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which involved the annual interviews of 70,000 people ages twelve years and older. 50,000 teens were also interviewed with annual follow ups to monitor use in that group more closely. \r\n\r\n### Rates of Cannabis Use\r\n\r\nThe study found that in between the years of 1979 and 2014, the number of people twelve years old and older who used marijuana in a lifetime rose from 28% to 44.2%. The number of people who used marijuana in the last year, however, decreased from 16% to 13.2%, as did the number of people who had used marijuana in the last month, which decreased from 13% to 8.4%. These numbers show low levels of frequent use of marijuana, as well as a general decrease in semi-consistent marijuana usage. Though marijuana was tried more often by people, they used it less often on average than people did in 1979. \r\n\r\n### Rates of Alcohol Use\r\n\r\nThe rates of alcohol use in those twelve years old and older has decreased slightly in all three categories between the years of 1979 and 2014, but overall usage of alcohol is much higher than that of marijuana. The number of people who had used alcohol in their lifetime went from 89% to 82.1% between 1979 and 2014, the number of people who used alcohol in the last year went down from 72% to 66.6%, and the number of people who used alcohol in the last month went from 63% to 52.7%. \r\n\r\n### Higher Rate of Alcohol Usage\r\n\r\nThe difference between these two accounts shows an undeniably higher use of alcohol than marijuana. The rate of monthly alcohol use is almost six times higher than that of monthly marijuana usage. The study also found that illegal substances, a category that marijuana is considered to be a part of in this study, made up less than 20% of substance abuse disorders, where alcohol made up the rest. \r\n\r\nAcross all of the years of the study alcohol is the most overwhelmingly used and abused substance. [Over 10,000 people died](https://www.weedhorn.com/study-shows-alcohol-is-worse-than-marijuana-1977814847.html) from alcohol related issues in the last year, compared to zero deaths related to cannabis usage. \r\n\r\n### Marijuana is NOT the Gateway Drug\r\n\r\nThe director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy, William Martin, said that, “Marijuana's reputation as a 'gateway' drug is not supported, even for more marijuana use. More than half of respondents under 60 have used it during their lifetime, but fewer than 10 percent use it regularly.” This study is just one of the many that have disproved the idea of the “gateway” theory. \r\n\r\nA study released in January of this year in the Journal of School Health showed that alcohol was overwhelmingly the first drug used by teens, between alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. The study, which was conducted by Texas A&M and the University of Florida, used data from the Monitoring the Future survey. The survey interviewed 2,800 12th graders from across the country and 54% of them used alcohol before any other drug, compared to only 10% who used marijuana first. The study also found that the earlier teens used alcohol, the more likely they were to try other drugs and use them more frequently. \r\n\r\n### Alcohol IS the Gateway Drug\r\n\r\nA 2008 study out of the American School Health Association also looked at the Monitoring the Future data and ranked it on the Guttman Scale, which is a way to order survey responses to create a binary outcome. The study conclusion claimed that, “results from the Guttman Scale indicated that alcohol represented the ‘gateway’ drug, leading to the use of tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit substances.” The study also stressed the importance of school drug education resources being focused on alcohol, rather than being spread equally across all drugs.\r\n\r\n### Cannabis Use Remains Stable\r\n\r\nThe [Issue Brief ](http://www.bakerinstitute.org/media/files/research_document/8b79cbd3/BI-Brief-080116-DRUG_Charts.pdf) released by the Baker Institute, associated with the publication of the Rice University study, noted that while marijuana is still the most widely used “illegal” drug, there have been no major spikes in the states of Colorado and Washington where cannabis has been legalized. Though more people have used marijuana in their lifetime, the percentage of people who use marijuana consistently is much lower than those who have used it overall, and is much lower than those who use alcohol consistently. \r\n\r\nThis lines up with the words of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper who said, “It seems like the people that were smoking before are mainly the people that are smoking now.” Marijuana usages have not seen the major increase that people against the legalization of cannabis predicted they would see with legalization. \r\n\r\n### Alcohol Associated with More Substance Abuse\r\n\r\nThe Baker Institute study still counts cannabis as an illegal product and does not differentiate between medical and recreational use. This study, in the association with many others, definitively dismisses the idea that marijuana could be considered a gateway drug. By the numbers alone, alcohol use dramatically higher than cannabis use and the majority of teens try alcohol before any other drug. \r\n\r\nAll of this data shows that if any drug is a gateway to other drug usage, it is alcohol. It is important to note that this study does show an interesting trend of decreased use of both cannabis and alcohol, but alcohol usage is still very high and is associated with high levels of substance abuse.\r\n\r\nDo you have questions about about cannabis? Ask a question on [HelloMD's new Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/ feature). A doctor or member of our community will answer.\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/14b42/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.jpg","srcSet":"/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/f836f/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.jpg 200w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/2244e/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.jpg 400w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/14b42/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.jpg 800w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/47498/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.jpg 1200w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/54ac5/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/58556/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/61e93/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.webp 200w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/1f5c5/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.webp 400w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/58556/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.webp 800w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/99238/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.webp 1200w,\n/static/294363f66e0a30217ea972c8d712e60b/5e0b8/7222424242f98e607484f872c0820512.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2074-markdown","title":"How to Prevent a Marijuana Hangover","slug":"how-to-prevent-a-marijuana-hangover","content":"Most seasoned cannabis consumers can attest to feeling a hangover of some kind after a night of overindulgence. And while there’s minimal scientific evidence to support marijuana hangovers, much anecdotal evidence suggest that this phenomenon exists in some form—even if we don’t completely understand it. \n\nSome commonly reported symptoms of marijuana hangovers include: \n\n* Headache \n* Lethargy\n* Dry mouth\n* Nausea\n* Brain fog \n* Congested sinuses\n\nThe effects of a marijuana hangover can vary based on person and type of cannabis consumed—similar to an alcohol hangover. And much like an alcohol hangover, what you decide to do the night before and morning after can influence how long the marijuana hangover lasts.   \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### One Study on Marijuana Hangovers Suggests They Are Real\n\nThe most commonly referenced study on marijuana hangovers is one conducted in 1985 and published in _Drug & Alcohol Dependency_. The study rightly receives criticism for its small sample size of 13 male participants, and the low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of the cannabis used. Yet in spite of these short fallings, [the study still concluded that the participants experienced symptoms akin to a marijuana hangover](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2992898).\n\n### Delivery Method & Cannabis Product Quality Can Affect Marijuana Hangover\n\nIn spite of little science to support marijuana hangovers, much anecdotal evidence suggests that they are a phenomenon that’s commonly experienced. This general pool of consumer knowledge, also suggests that cannabis hangovers can also be affected by the delivery method, as well as the quality of the product.\n\nIn general, the more cannabis you consume, the more pronounced your hangover will be. This is why consumers says that edibles, which tend to be stronger and stay in your stomach longer than inhalable versions of cannabis, more commonly lead to marijuana hangovers. \n\nAdditionally, consuming sugar with cannabis—whether it be in an edible or on its own after smoking—can cause a more pronounced hangover, much like consuming overly sweet cocktails can worsen your hangover from alcohol.\n\nOther consumers note that pesticide-free, lab-tested cannabis, and products with little-to-no artificial ingredients are less likely to cause a cannabis hangover.  \n\n### Dehydration & Marijuana Hangovers\n\nThe THC in marijuana can slow down the production of saliva and tears, leading to dry mouth and red eyes. Because of these common side effects, many credit dehydration as the main culprit for the nasty feelings you experience during a cannabis hangover.\n\nSlowing down the production of saliva and tears doesn’t dehydrate the body, but it can make you _feel_ dehydrated. Moreover, your actions while you’re experiencing cannabis’s effects can lead to dehydration: In Maureen Dowd’s now [classic recount of consuming too much cannabis](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/opinion/dowd-dont-harsh-our-mellow-dude.html), the writer notes that her hallucinatory state kept her confined to her bed and unable to drink water for eight hours. While cannabis itself doesn’t cause dehydration, it can indirectly lead to it. \n\nFor this reason, it’s usually a good idea to drink water before and after you consume cannabis. Many of the symptoms of a marijuana hangover can be caused by dehydration. Thus, almost all of the symptoms of marijuana hangovers, from headaches to congested sinuses, can be muted by drinking water. Drinking water also helps the body process things faster, so if you've had a particularly high level of sugar indulgence, drinking plenty of water will help your body flush out what may be compounding your hangover symptoms. \n\n### Preventing & Treating a Marijuana Hangover\n\nWhat you do before and after consuming cannabis can help determine the severity of your marijuana hangover. Filling your body with healthy, nutritious food and lots of fruits and vegetables, which also have high water contents, can help your body snap out of its funk. \n\nExercise will also help get your body back in gear by increasing blood flow and getting your body to sweat out impurities. Exercise can also help decrease brain fog, making you feel more alert and awake.\n\nOne of the most crucial aspects to preventing a cannabis hangover is also getting enough sleep. It's important to get plenty of sleep to let your body process the cannabis and get adequate rest. If you're not getting enough sleep, you may be feeling symptoms related to lack of sleep rather than your cannabis use. \n\nOverall, you can prevent or treat the symptoms of a cannabis hangover by:\n\n* Drinking plenty of water\n* Eating healthy foods\n* Avoiding sugary drinks and treats.\n* Exercising\n* Choosing high-quality, lab-tested cannabis products\n\nIf you're new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.2048192771084338,"src":"/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/14b42/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.jpg","srcSet":"/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/f836f/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.jpg 200w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/2244e/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.jpg 400w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/14b42/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.jpg 800w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/47498/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.jpg 1200w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/8980c/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.jpg 1232w","srcWebp":"/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/58556/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/61e93/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.webp 200w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/1f5c5/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.webp 400w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/58556/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.webp 800w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/99238/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.webp 1200w,\n/static/839144664dc627eeb35cf4c1633c083d/6fd64/c463b778f4666093a9c2ec9a33fb4c93.webp 1232w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2162-markdown","title":"Marijuana Is Safer Than Alcohol and Tobacco, Study Finds","slug":"marijuana-is-safer-than-alcohol-and-tobacco-study-finds","content":"Over the past 20 years, 23 states and the District of Columbia have\n[legalized marijuana for medical\nuse](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596acc23436650006020000/does-medical-marijuana-work).\nDespite these changes to state laws, opponents continue to argue that\nmarijuana causes more harm than good. A [new\nstudy](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311234/) refutes\ntheir claims and shows that marijuana is safer than alcohol and tobacco,\nand researchers and policymakers may have overestimated the risks\nassociated with its use.\n\n**Researchers Use Novel Approach to Compare Mortality Risks**\n\nResearch conducted by Dirk Lachenmeier and Jürgen Rehm, and published in\nScientific Reports in January 2015, investigated the mortality risk\nassociated with seven substances by comparing the lethal dose of each\nsubstance with the typical amount used. This ratio, referred to as the\nmargin of exposure (MOE), was used to determine the risk of dying from\nan overdose of each of the substances.\n\nThe MOE is a novel method for comparing the mortality risk of different\nsubstances. Introduced by the [European Food Safety Authority in\n2005](http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/scientific_output/files/main_documents/282.pdf)\nas an approach for assessing the risk of toxic compounds, it had only\never been used in the addiction field for evaluating substances in\nalcoholic beverages. Previous attempts to compare the dangers of\nsubstances of abuse were based largely on anecdotal, rather than\nscientific, evidence, which meant that policymakers had to rely on\neducated guesses and survey data from developed nations when making\nlegislative decisions. Only in the past decade have researchers begun to\nuse robust scientific techniques to classify the mortality risks of\nparticular substances of abuse. However, many of these approaches were\nbased on expert panel judgments on harm indicators, such as intoxication\nand physical and psychological dependence.\n\n**Evidence for Marijuana's Safety Grows**\n\nLachenmeier and Rehm's research revealed that, of all the substances\nanalyzed, alcohol posed the highest mortality risk at an individual\nlevel, followed by heroin, cocaine, tobacco, ecstasy, methamphetamine\nand marijuana. Alcohol was found to be about 114 times more deadly than\nmarijuana, which was the only substance that was classified as having a\nlow mortality risk. The researchers' classifications were based solely\non the substances themselves and did not take into account environmental\nrisk factors, such as the sharing of contaminated needles by intravenous\ndrug users. Previous studies, including a [comparison of the toxicity of\ncommonly abused\nsubstances](https://rgable.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/toxicity-addiction-offprint2.pdf)\npublished in the journal Addiction in June 2004, ranked marijuana as\nsafer than alcohol and tobacco, but it was not known that the\ndiscrepancy between their mortality risks was this large.\n\n**Researchers Call for Changes to Federal Marijuana Laws**\n\nDespite their known health risks, alcohol and tobacco are exempted from\nthe Controlled Substances Act due to cultural and economic reasons.\nAlcohol and tobacco have been acceptable substances in U.S. culture\nsince well before the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and they are two of\nthe [most widely used\nsubstances](http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2012SummNatFindDetTables/NationalFindings/NSDUHresults2012.htm)\nnationally. The researchers believe that the risks of alcohol and\ntobacco may have been underestimated in the past, and are urging federal\ngovernment to focus their efforts more on mitigating the harmful effects\nof alcohol and tobacco than on other substances, such as marijuana.\n\nIn contrast, the risks of marijuana may have been overestimated. For the\nmortality endpoint alone, the findings showed marijuana's MOE to be\nabove safety thresholds at the individual and population levels. There\nhas never been a case of a cannabis overdose death. This lends weight to\nthe argument that marijuana should be removed from Schedule I of the\nControlled Substances Act, a category reserved for the most dangerous\nsubstances.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.4705882352941178,"src":"/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/ee604/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.png","srcSet":"/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/69585/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.png 200w,\n/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/497c6/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.png 400w,\n/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/ee604/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.png 800w,\n/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/74c9e/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.png 955w","srcWebp":"/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/58556/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/61e93/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.webp 200w,\n/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/1f5c5/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.webp 400w,\n/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/58556/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.webp 800w,\n/static/1e6e891ecfc3b981e2b927b710be93ea/3d99a/e07fe2f5dbd6c2648e5d4f794c19fe35.webp 955w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":12,"numPages":2,"currentPage":2,"id":4931,"name":"Alcohol","slug":"alcohol","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}