Gallup Finds That More Americans Smoke Cannabis Than Tobacco
by Chane Leigh
by Joey Reams
Many young adults have started to get into the hobby of getting crossfaded, otherwise known as mixing the use of alcohol and cannabis. This has always been a risky combination, but we are starting to finally understand the effects of mixing the two. It’s still unclear which of the two is safer, but we can all agree they are both enriching parts to any night out. Overall it can be an exciting way to boost your night, but done excessively, on either end, could result in illness. It also depends on which activity you partake in first.
Let’s say you’re out drinking at a bar, and one of your friends invites you out to smoke a joint. The alcohol you’ve already consumed will open up your blood vessels in your digestive system and absorbs more of the THC from the cannabis. Under the right circumstances, such as how much you drink beforehand, could result in a fun night of feeling both high and buzzed. On the other hand, if you drink too much alcohol before you smoke, you could feel nauseous or dizzy soon after. This is known as “greening out” or “the spins”, and it happens because the alcohol enhances the high, causing one to feel an extreme level inebriation. Other symptoms of greening out include sweating, vomiting, and feeling the urge to lay down.
On the contrary, if you were to smoke some cannabis before you headed out to the bar, the results might actually surprise you. Smoking cannabis activates cannabinoid 2 receptors found inside the body and affects the speed at which you absorb alcohol. Interestingly enough, when you use cannabis before drinking, your body doesn’t get as drunk as it would as if ingested by itself. Cannabis alters the motility of the GI tract causing the blood alcohol level to be lowered that usual. In other words, smoking cannabis before drinking will lead you to believe you’re not as drunk as you are. Again, depending on how much you’ve taken of both substances, this could lead to either an amazing or awful night. If not done carefully by this method, you run the risk of potentially drinking too much, which has many risks of its own, including death.
No matter which one you do first, there are still plenty of common risks associated with combining these two. Cannabis, when consumed, has an antiemetic effect, meaning that the body won’t vomit as easily as normal. After a night out, if the body needs to discharge any unwanted substances, it will naturally vomit. This can pose a problem for those who smoke before the go out to drink. If the body doesn’t reject the toxicity inside it will hold it in and make you feel worse. Another risk from this is falling asleep on your back after a night out like this and involuntarily vomiting once the effects of cannabis have settled.
All of this depends on many elements of your social life. First, what is your tolerance to either of these substances? Just because you are mixing doesn’t necessarily mean you can consume and more or less than what you normally would. Also keep in mind the type and strength of the alcohol you are drinking, and how if you’re mixing between types. The last thing to be aware of is the time interval between substances. It’s recommended to wait for a little to feel the effects of one substance before combining it with anything else.
Of course, that is all just the negatives of the combination. There are no immediate benefits from the combination other than the heightened experience from successfully being crossfaded. It can be a dangerous combination, but when done under the right circumstances, and with the right knowledge, you could potentially have a care-free, fun night that you wouldn’t normally have.
Medical cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways to reduce pain. Recent research has found that aerosolized cannabis can provide long-term pain reduction, specifically in patients with neuropathy and other chronic conditions. One team of researchers made use of an innovative, novel inhalation device called the Syqe Inhaler to investigate the efficacy of…
Stoner stigma and stereotypes are not just discriminatory—they are also outdated and are now being rendered invalid. Cannabis consumers, whatever their reason for consumption, are subject to being stereotyped as “lazy stoners.” Fortunately, a recent study found that cannabis consumers are no more likely to lack motivation compared to those who do not consume cannabis. …
The Coronavirus has been around for a few years. During this time, researchers conducted studies on a wide range of topics. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research explored cannabis consumption and COVID-19. Researchers found that those who consume cannabis were associated with lower COVID-19 severity among those who have been hospitalized,…
The history of cannabis prohibition is plagued by propaganda, racism, and greed. If you’re familiar with this story, it’s likely you’re familiar with a man by the name of Harry J. Anslinger. This individual was highly influential in the implementation of cannabis prohibition in the early 20th century. Since federal prohibition was implemented, it has…
According to the International Journal of Impotence Research, erectile dysfunction—commonly referred to as simply ED—is expected to affect 322 million men around the world by the year 2025. The Cleveland Clinic goes as far as to say that one in 10 men will be diagnosed with ED during his lifetime. Fortunately, as a growing number…
Have you wondered what the best cannabis subscription boxes are on the market today? If so, you’re not alone. Many consumers wonder…
In a blow to freedom and democracy, state lawmakers in Texas banned smokeable hemp. In what many consider an equally heinous move,…
Leukemia patients, like any other cancer patient, have much to gain from the use of cannabis. The plant’s medicinal value for cancer…
