Is weed or alcohol more addictive?

There is a general perception that cannabis is safer and less addictive than alcohol. For example, in a recent survey of more than 1,000 Americans, respondents rated alcohol as “somewhat and moderately addictive” versus “not very or somewhat addictive” for marijuana.

Additionally, respondents who did not use cannabis generally considered alcohol to be “moderately dangerous,” while cannabis was classified as “not very dangerous to somewhat dangerous.”

But general opinions aside, is there evidence that one substance is more addictive or more harmful than the other?

What are the Similarities Between Weed and Alcohol?

Alcohol and cannabis share a number of characteristics. Both can be used to help people calm down, calm nerves and relax muscles. These effects occur because both alcohol and weed belong to the depressant class of drugs (although weed falls into several other drug categories as well).

Depressants increase the activity of GABA neurotransmitters in the brain. As GABA activity increases, activity in the central nervous system slows down and the speed at which messages are passed between the body and brain also decreases. Think of GABA as a brake pedal for the brain: when this brake is pressed, it creates a calming effect.

However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Too much sedative equals too much GABA activity, which in turn can lead to drowsiness, slow reactions, poor coordination, and trouble concentrating. Anyone who’s had a little too much weed or alcohol can probably attest to slurred speech, early fainting, maybe stumbling, and the like.

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What is the difference between weed and alcohol?

for dr Jordan Tishler, President of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists and CEO/CMO at inhaleMD, says cannabis differs from alcohol in several key ways.

“Alcohol is a very simple, single molecule that’s a product of yeast fermentation,” Tishler said. “Basically, it’s yeast poop. Poop is generally a poison and people have found that in small doses they like the effects of this poison on their brain. It’s really not that good for you and has no medical use at this time.”

Cannabis, on the other hand, is a plant that contains hundreds of different compounds, many of which are therapeutically beneficial.

“We’ve only just scratched the surface of what they are and what these compounds do,” Tishler said. “However, it is well established that THC and cannabis in general are used in the treatment of pain, anxiety, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, and other ailments.”

Simply put, cannabis has medicinal uses and alcohol doesn’t.

Is weed addictive?

Tishler emphasizes that understanding addiction is nuanced and it can be helpful to distinguish addiction from dependency.

“Addiction is a complicated word,” Tishler said. “Addiction is a set of maladaptive behaviors, while dependency is a physiological condition leading to withdrawal and often continued use of a substance.”

Tishler believes that addiction to cannabis is far more common than addiction, which is officially diagnosed as a cannabis use disorder. “Cannabis can lead to an addiction rate of about 7% — less than half the alcohol rate — and an addiction rate that’s very low but undefined,” Tishler explained.

Research tells us that THC appears to be responsible for cannabis’ addictive potential due to its effects on the brain’s dopamine system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by the brain that affects the experience of pleasure and reward.

THC increases dopamine release, and when dopamine is released, the resulting feelings of pleasure can amplify the cannabinoid’s potentially addictive effects. However, long-term heavy cannabis use can weaken the body’s dopamine system. If your dopamine levels remain elevated for too long – for example, due to constant cannabis use – the dopamine system becomes dysfunctional.

The reward circuitry in the brain can become impaired, making it harder to get pleasure from things you would normally enjoy, such as eating. B. delicious food, sense of achievement or physical touch. This lack of enjoyment can lead to even more chronic use to seek out the high that once came so easily.

CBD, on the other hand, does not appear to be addictive. Instead, there is evidence that this non-intoxicating cannabinoid may be able to treat addiction. For example, a 2015 study found that CBD may be beneficial in treating opioid, cocaine, tobacco, and even cannabis addictions.

It’s important to remember that the “addictive potential” of cannabis is more than a chemical reaction in the brain—social and environmental factors also play a role. For example, certain demographics appear to be more likely to become addicted to weed than others, possibly teenagers and those with another substance use disorder or a mood or mental disorder such as schizophrenia.

In addition, other factors such as lifestyle, home and work environments, and socioeconomic status may have an additional impact on whether a person becomes addicted to weed or not.

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How addictive is alcohol?

Similar to cannabis, alcohol dependence is more common than addiction, according to Tishler.

“With alcohol, we see both addiction and dependency. The addiction rate is around 15% and the addiction rate is significantly lower,” he said. “In higher doses, alcohol can be addictive and have harmful effects on the brain, heart, liver, blood and bone marrow.”

Recent studies similarly point to the different ways in which individuals can develop an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. For example, in 2019, about 29.7% of men and 22.2% of women aged 18 and over were binge drinkers. Although binge drinking is not the same as alcohol addiction, it is a form of abuse that contributes to the risk of developing alcohol use disorder.

These statistics certainly suggest that alcohol is more addictive or prone to abuse than cannabis, but why?

While there is no definitive answer, there are several factors worth investigating. Like cannabis, alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine. However, alcohol has another neurochemical pathway through which it can create addiction – endorphins.

In a 2012 study, University of California researchers found that alcohol triggers the release of endorphins in two areas of the brain linked to reward processing. Endorphins are naturally occurring opioids produced by the body that relieve pain, help you feel good, and give you a high. The study also discovered that heavy drinkers experienced greater release of these feel-good chemicals, further amplifying alcohol’s addictive properties.

Similar to cannabis, a number of variables mean that some individuals are more likely to become addicted to alcohol than others. Factors such as genetics, family alcoholism, mental disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, and traumatic experiences increase the likelihood of developing an addiction.

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So what makes you more addicted?

Some have speculated that alcohol might be more addictive than cannabis simply because it’s more legal and widely available. Recent research suggests that increasing legalization of cannabis has been linked to rising addiction rates.

Several other studies have compared cannabis and alcohol and given us useful insights into how they compare in terms of safety and other measures.

A landmark 2015 study compared the risk of overdose associated with different addictive substances. Alcohol use fell into the high-risk category, while cannabis was the only substance classified as low-risk. In other words, it’s impossible to die from a cannabis overdose, but comparatively easier to die from alcohol poisoning.

There is evidence that cannabis is also safer than alcohol for a number of other health-related harms. A New Zealand Medical Journal study compared THC and alcohol in relation to 13 commonly discussed issues related to substance use and health.

THC has been found to pose a lower risk than alcohol for these nine issues:

• death from overdose
• Death from severe withdrawal
• aggressiveness during intoxication
• Brain damage from chronic heavy use
• Liver and other organ damage
• Contribution to a psychotic state
• Causes major depression
• cause cancer
• Fetal brain damage

Cannabis and alcohol had similar risks for three other factors:

• Irritability after withdrawal
• Damage from driving under the influence of alcohol
• Seeks

Cannabis only performed worse than alcohol on one point: the plant is more likely to cause anxiety when intoxicated.

The extent to which weed or alcohol is addictive – or harmful – cannot be reduced to a single factor. While there is evidence that weed is comparatively less addictive and less harmful than alcohol, that doesn’t mean it can be used recklessly.

Tishler believes a better question isn’t which substance is more addictive, but how we use it.

“It’s important to remember that the risk associated with either substance depends on how much you use – less is safer,” he said. “While most people know how much too much alcohol is, many cannabis users consume far too much, often without even knowing how much they are using and what would be a safe range.”

Tishler points out that tolerance is often touted as a badge of honor in cannabis circles. In reality, however, tolerance can lead to dependency and possibly addiction, so avoiding developing a significant tolerance to cannabis can be beneficial.

Various factors such as age, mental health, and personal circumstances also work together to affect the relationship we develop with these two substances. It’s important to be aware of the risk factors that can make you more likely to become addicted or harmed, and to take precautions to avoid unwanted consequences.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone is a New Zealand-based journalist specializing in cannabis, health and well-being. She has a Ph.D. in sociology and has worked as a researcher and lecturer, but prefers to be a writer. She would enjoy spending her days writing, reading, walking outdoors, eating, and swimming.

Check out Emma Stone’s articles

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