Sometimes, individuals find themselves drinking alcohol while smoking marijuana; however, mixing both substances is known to result in more severe harm and dangerous activities.

Mixing Alcohol and Weed

While there isn't much research into what happens over time when people use both alcohol and weed, it's known that there are some dangers involved. When more and more states make cannabis legal, it's anticipated that much more information will be accumulated to better understand the phenomenon.

Altered Judgment and Risky Behaviors

"Your decision-making ability can be affected by both weed and alcohol. When together, this effect becomes more prominent, thus leading to forgetting everything, blacking out, and more chances of engaging in behaviors likely leading to legal issues or unprotected intimacy. Understanding the primer about Cannabidiol can shed light on how these substances interact with our cognitive functions and influence our behaviors.

For example, some of the findings from a study by Newhouse et al. (1988) suggest that a person who mixes both marijuana and liquor has a higher chance of engaging in risky behaviors than one who takes beer alone.

Dehydration and Physical Health

Alcohol, a diuretic, increases urination and can lead to dehydration. Combining it with cannabis can worsen this effect. Prolonged use of marijuana causes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, characterized by severe pain, vomiting, and dehydration. The gastrointestinal system, heart, immunity, kidneys, and liver are among the body systems that these two compounds have negative effects on.

Mental Health Concerns

Frequent heavy alcohol use is linked to poor mental health, psychological distress, and low life satisfaction. According to the American Psychological Association, weed users risk losing their ability to pay full attention during lectures or while reading long texts. It's said that it might be even worse for adolescents who have developing brains because cannabis may make psychiatric conditions worse or come earlier.

Reduced Cognitive Function and Driving Risks

Both long-term alcohol and marijuana use can alter the structure of the brain, with combined usage having stronger consequences. Research shows that heavy cannabis users who simultaneously drink alcohol perform worse cognitively than people who only consume alcohol. The mix of these chemicals retards the cognitive processes and the speed of reaction which ensure safe driving. Studies have indicated that those who consume alcohol and cannabis together have persistently poor driving performance, with frequent cannabis users committing more traffic infractions.

Dependency and Overdose Risks

Combining alcohol, say rum bastard, and weed often results in higher consumption of both substances, increasing the risk of dependence. Studies say users of both often drink frequently, leading to potential overdose.

The Order of Consumption

Weed and alcohol consumption sequence affects their impact. Smoking weed after drinking alcohol intensifies weed's effects due to increased THC absorption, potentially leading to a "green out" with symptoms like dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Conversely, consuming alcohol after smoking weed might delay the sensation of drunkenness, leading to increased alcohol intake and higher risks of risky behaviors and alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol and Edibles

Alcoholic beverages  market might also mingle with THC-contained cannabis edibles like alcohol. This could give rise to some similar risks of utmost concern since one may take in a lot of such edibles, and this will result in a more intense feeling as well as higher levels. More so, alcohol increases appetite, making one eat more than necessary as far as those eatables are concerned.

Conclusion

It's safer to use each drug separately, with the safest option being to avoid both altogether. Individuals concerned about their substance use should consult a healthcare professional for guidance.