On the other hand, CBD has been found to promote wakefulness and may counteract the sedative effects of THC. The overall effect of weed on sleep may depend on the balance of THC and CBD in the strain used, as well as individual factors such as tolerance and method of consumption. In summary, while both alcohol and cannabis have potential long-term health effects, the research suggests that alcohol may have more severe and widespread negative consequences on overall health.
- People attribute it to be a social lubricant that allows people to stave off social anxiety and be more outgoing and talkative.
- Our goal was to give patients easy access to medical cannabis as an alternative to traditional pain medications, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other addictive and harmful drugs.
- While the effects of both substances are highly variable and depend on numerous factors, there are some clear differences between the impacts of weed and alcohol on sleep.
- Marijuana, on the other hand, remains illegal in many places but is gaining acceptance for its potential therapeutic benefits.
Are Edibles Better Than Alcohol?
However, more research is needed, especially on the long-term effects of cannabis use. Both alcohol and cannabis can negatively affect memory, with chronic drinkers displaying reductions in memory. However, the effects of cannabis on memory may be more severe in daily users who start smoking at a young age.
Observing Gastrointestinal and Cardiac Effects
It is important to note that the health effects of consuming alcohol or weed can vary greatly from person to person, and individual tolerance and predispositions play a significant role. While weed may have fewer long-term risks than alcohol, the lack of extensive research on cannabis makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions. Booze and weed are two substances that are commonly used for recreational purposes.
Cannabis seems to have fewer long-term risks than alcohol, but again, there’s a huge discrepancy in the amount of research on cannabis compared with alcohol. The immediate effects of cannabis can vary quite a bit from person to person. Before getting into the specifics of alcohol and cannabis, it’s important to understand some of the factors that make the comparison tricky.
Exploring Alcohol vs Marijuana: A Look at Long Term Effects
- As a result, alcohol can disrupt the body’s natural sleep patterns and contribute to insomnia or other sleep disorders.
- They’re unique substances that produce different effects, which makes side-by-side comparisons difficult.
- The way you consume cannabis can have a big impact on its short- and long-term effects.
- This isn’t to suggest that cannabis drinks are more risky than alcohol, which has many unhealthy effects.
While both can alter one’s state of mind, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences between booze and weed in terms of their effects, legality, health risks, and societal perceptions. Studies have found that drinkers’ brains had reduced grey matter and compromised white matter, which is responsible for helping the brain process information. Alcohol is also linked to an increased risk of psychiatric disease, with chronic drinkers displaying impaired emotional processes and social cognition. The other factor that makes it hard to answer this question is the relative lack of studies on the negative health effects of weed. Excessive drinking has serious health, personal, and societal consequences.
What’s Worse: Weed Or Alcohol?
Cannabis can also affect brain development and brain aging, with some studies showing a link between long-term heavy cannabis use and decreased IQ points. Cannabis may also exacerbate existing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychotic conditions, and increase the risk of psychotic episodes. Research findings should be directly mapped to an individual’s personal wellness goals. Many individuals seek to improve their sleep quality, maintain sharp cognitive abilities, and reduce the overall stress burden on the body. When our behaviors are informed by evidence, alternative products such as plant-based CBD oils or THC gummies can be considered as supplementary options for reducing tension and supporting recovery after strenuous days.
How Many People Die From Weed?
These patterns are not only internalized but also influence social circles, as groups may form around shared substance use, further normalizing and reinforcing these behaviors. It is difficult to make a direct comparison between the long-term health effects of alcohol and cannabis due to the varying levels of research on each substance. While alcohol has been linked to approximately 88,000 deaths per year, according to the CDC, the effects of cannabis are harder to quantify due to its illegal status in many places.
It is characterised by a loss of control over cannabis use, and individuals may experience negative consequences on their mental, physical, and social health. CUD can lead to various complications, including cannabis-induced psychosis, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, and chronic bronchitis in those who smoke or vape marijuana. Treatment for CUD often involves detoxification, psychotherapy, and continuing care to manage the chronic condition and potential for relapse. Cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol (CBD), have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, yet long-term use may alter immune cell function and cytokine production.
That’s compounded by the varied amounts, mixtures, and other ingredients different drinks may contain. Using cannabis before age 25 may also harm the developing brain, potentially affecting memory, attention, and decision-making. D’Onofrio added that the risks for injury also increase with age with either substance. “You can miss a step as you age, and then fall, without taking any substances,” she said.
Marijuana linked to doubled risk of cardiovascular death
THC, the main psychoactive and addictive component of cannabis, is typically smoked and rapidly absorbed by the lungs. While cannabis is considered a complex drug due to the hundreds of compounds it contains, THC is the most commonly studied compound. CUD can negatively affect mental, physical, and social health, leading to conditions such as psychosis, anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, and hyperemesis syndrome.
It can lead to impaired judgment, decreased reaction times, and difficulty concentrating. It can also lower your inhibitions making you more likely to make riskier or rash decisions that can lead to an accident. Now while cannabis deaths caused by disease, illness or drug interactions there are some data points regarding accidents, specifically car accidents. Legalization has provided data points about the potential increase in accidents related to cannabis.
There’s also this perception that it’s extremely rare to get addicted to marijuana, but that’s a myth. There’s research to show that 30% of people who use marijuana are going to develop an addiction problem. Addiction is not about the amount of a substance that you drink or smoke. It’s about what it does to your life and the consequences you deal with Weed vs booze because of that behavior.