Weed vs. Alcohol – which is safer?

A topic that has been hotly debated for decades is whether or not weed is safer than alcohol. Some people say weed is safer; others think otherwise.

This blog post objectively analyzes the science and data to figure out which one really is safer.

Before we delve into the comparison, note that alcohol has far more research than weed.

Also, the different consumption alternatives make it difficult to make general conclusions.

Typically, the effects may vary from person to person based on individual tolerance level, body weight, age, and the like.

That said, here are some points for comparison:

Short term effects

The short-term effects of alcohol and weed differ across users.

Alcohol

• Drowsiness
• Giddiness
• Relaxation
• Impaired cognitive skills
• Vomiting and nausea
• Lack of focus
• Corsniation and reflex issues
• Impaired judgment
• Excessive drinking also leaves users with a hangover, which comes with its set of symptoms, including diarrhea, headaches, and whatnot.

Weed

Like alcohol, weed effects may vary across users

Most commonly reported include:

• Pain relief
• Impaired judgment
• Altered time perception
• Calmness and relaxation
• Giddiness
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Dry, red eyes
• Munchy feeling

The Long term Health Effects

Alcohol

Excessive or regular use of alcohol can leave users with long term results, including

• Pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Heart damage
• Central nervous system damage
• Digestive and stomach issues
• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction

Weed

Although weed has relatively little research, the evidence of long-term effects is few compared to alcohol.

Here are the long term effects of weed

• Schizophrenia – although the link between schizophrenia and weed is sketchy, some experts say smoking may trigger schizophrenia, particularly among people with a family history of the condition.
• Brain development concerns – Research shows that using weed may slow down brain development in kids. But being a small study, some researchers have debunked it.

Potential for Abuse

Alcohol use disorder is a problem with over 15 million Americans.

Associated concerns with alcohol misuse can include:

• Inability to reduce alcohol consumption
• Strong alcohol cravings
• Missed schedules caused by drinking and hangovers
• Withdrawal symptoms include sweating, nausea, headache, and shaking
• Missing deadlines at school or work
• Regular conflict with colleagues and loved ones over alcohol usage

Weed

Addiction is common with weed, but withdrawal symptoms may not be as severe as with alcohol.

Conclusion 

Many different claims surround the use of weed, but some researchers believe that it may be safer than alcohol. One study found that people who used marijuana daily were less likely to engage in risky behaviors like unprotected sex or binge drinking than those who regularly consume alcohol.

More research is needed to substantiate these claims.

Still, one thing is sure – CBD oil can have significant therapeutic effects without getting you high! If you’re interested in exploring how CBD [specifically] can help your health, contact us for professional advice and recommendations.