Can Legalizing Cannabis Make Drinking Alcohol Safer?
A new study suggests that Cannabis use may protect the liver from the toxicity of drinking. Alcohol is a depressant, but in low doses it causes emotional release and lowers inhibitions. Marijuana is known for its relaxing qualities, but can produce very different results depending on how much and what strain of Cannabis you will consume( for example by eating marijuana infused edibles or smoke pre-rolls). So what happens when you mix these two together?
The important news is the result of the work done by researchers at the National Institute of Scientific Research at the University of Quebec and published in the Liver International journal.
They have found that Cannabis use may actually protect your liver. The research suggests that people who regularly drink alcohol and also smoke Cannabis have a significantly less risk of liver disease than alcoholics who did not use marijuana.
The researchers revealed that among alcohol users, individuals who additionally use cannabis (dependent and non-dependent cannabis use) showed significantly lower odds of developing alcoholic steatosis , steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.
Simultaneous use of both Alcohol and Cannabis changes how alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Cannabis has the ability to alter the way things move through your intestines in such a way that it causes your blood alcohol levels to actually be lower than if you had just consumed alcohol by itself.
The authors referenced animal studies, that have shown the strong anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids that can reduce inflammation of the liver, reduce any long-term damages. Some similar findings from another study were released in another study that found that the “lowest prevalence of [non-alcoholic fatty liver disease] was noted in current heavy users of marijuana.”
While using cannabis and alcohol simultaneously can have unforeseen intoxicating effects, regular use of both alcohol and cannabis independently from one another has been found to exhibit some interesting physiological effects on the body. As most recreational Cannabis users know, there are limits to this feel-good effect: If you consume too much alcohol and then you smoke, you run the risk of feeling sick and get severe nausea after getting too high.
That is the main reason that made the state of California decreed that drinks containing alcohol cannot be sold in the same venue as, cannabis products.
This article is not meant to promote the use of alcohol but only for educational purposes to help those who choose to drink alcohol and ways to stay healthier.
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