Combining Alcohol And Marijuana Has These Effects On The Brain
Alcohol and cannabis are two of the most consumed psychoactive substances in the world, if some less intoxicating substances such as caffeine and theine are excluded. Since the initial effects of these two drugs are associated with physical and psychological relaxation, it is common for many people to take them simultaneously to facilitate synergy.
In this article we will see How the combination of alcohol and marijuana affects the brain, as well as the potential risks of this practice. To do this, it is necessary that we first stop to analyze the effects of each of these substances separately.
Alcohol exerts depressant effects on the central nervous system ; Broadly speaking, this means that it inhibits its activity. However, if the dose consumed is low, alcohol causes a reduction in behavioral inhibition (which many people associate with an increase in sociability) and feelings of relaxation and emotional release.
When the dose is high, signs appear such as deficits in working memory and other executive functions, motor coordination problems – including expressive language -, blurred vision and emotional alterations, for example decreased control over anger. Strong poisoning can cause alcohol coma and even death
5 phases of alcohol poisoning have been described depending on the blood concentration of this compound: the euphoria phase (characterized by impulsivity), the intoxication phase (which causes incoordination), the confusion phase (in which drowsiness and dysarthria appear). ), that of stupor and coma and, finally, the bulbar phase or death due to cardiorespiratory arrest.
In general Marijuana produces relaxing effects on the body However, the reactions derived from the consumption of this drug can vary depending on different variables, among which the dose used, the characteristics of the person’s body and the variety used stand out. Indica tends to be more interfering than sativa.
The main active component of cannabis are cannabinoids, compounds found in some plants that activate specific receptors in the human body: cannabinoid receptors. The most important is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which explains the relaxation effects, perceptual distortion, fatigue and increased appetite
By binding to cannabinoid receptors, THC alters the body’s dopamine and norepinephrine levels; This causes a feeling of well-being, promotes introspection and increases sensory awareness, although it also negatively affects cognitive performance and can cause acute anxiety even panic attacks.
The combination between alcohol and marijuana
Given that both marijuana and alcohol intoxication decrease cognitive and behavioral performance (including notably impairment of working memory), it is not surprising that when taking both substances these effects are greater than if only one is used.
In particular, research such as that of Hartman’s team (2015) suggests that, By combining these two drugs, alcohol enhances the effects of marijuana since it increases the concentration of THC in the blood, and this is the main psychoactive component of cannabis.
On the other hand, according to a study by Lukas’ group (2015), consuming marijuana alters gastrointestinal motility; This causes the alcohol to be absorbed to a greater extent by the body, causing a decrease in the effects of alcohol.
It is important to keep in mind that people who are in a situation of physical and/or psychological dependence on one of these substances run a high risk of developing polydrug addiction if they begin to combine it with the other since they exert synergistic effects and can act as mutual substitutes.
Physiological and psychological effects of this mixture
Consuming alcohol first and then marijuana increases the concentration of THC because alcohol facilitates its absorption in the digestive tract. Although there are people who practice this combination recreationally, it can cause unpleasant physical and cognitive reactions, especially if the amount of alcohol is excessive.
Specifically, many people refer to signs such as paleness, feelings of dizziness and weakness, nausea and vomiting Furthermore, the mixture of these two substances increases the probability of psychological symptoms appearing, mainly anxiety (which sometimes even leads to panic attacks) and paranoid thoughts.
Combined consumption of alcohol and cannabis It is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents Worldwide. This is because mixing both substances significantly impairs the ability to concentrate and react quickly, two very relevant skills when driving a vehicle.
