Have you ever wondered why mixing alcohol and cannabis makes you feel so different? You’re not alone. Many people experience unique effects when combining these two substances, a state often described as being “crossfaded.” Finding out what happens in your brain when you’re crossfaded can help you make more informed, smarter decisions about your consumption.
In this article, we’ll explore how alcohol and cannabis interact in the brain, what happens when you mix them, and the potential risks involved.
Before diving into how these substances interact, it’s important to understand their individual effects. Alcohol is a depressant that causes the brain and central nervous system to slow down. It primarily affects the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which inhibits brain activity, leading to the familiar sensations of relaxation and lowered inhibitions. Alcohol also boosts dopamine levels, which can enhance feelings of pleasure.
Unfortunately, rates of alcohol-related ER visits dramatically increased by 25.5% between 2019 and 2020 – the first year of the pandemic – and then rose another 10% in 2021. According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, research shows there were 1.7 million hospitalizations related to alcohol in 2020. Additionally, alcohol has a significant economic impact on the workplace, with estimated annual losses of nearly $249 billion in 2010. It was also a major factor in over 13,000 driving deaths in 2022.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is more complex and has favorable profiles for safety, medical uses, and potential for abuse. It contains several compounds, with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) being the most well-known for its psychoactive effects. THC interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), influencing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This can lead to altered perceptions, mood changes, and a sense of utter euphoria.
When you consume alcohol and cannabis together, their effects on your brain can interact in stronger ways. The term “synergy” in pharmacology refers to the phenomenon where the combined effect of two substances is greater than the sum of their individual effects. In the case of mixing alcohol and cannabis, this is particularly relevant.
The most significant interaction happens with the metabolizing enzymes. Taking cannabis and alcohol together creates a bottleneck in their metabolism, meaning their levels are increased and hang around for longer while they essentially wait in line to be inactivated.
Another example is that alcohol increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, allowing THC to enter your brain more quickly. These interactions can amplify the psychoactive effects of THC, making you feel higher than if you had consumed cannabis alone.
Alcohol combined with cannabis affects multiple neurotransmitter systems. Alcohol’s impact on GABA and dopamine, combined with THC’s effect on the ECS, can lead to a heightened state of relaxation and euphoria. However, this can also increase the risk of negative side effects, such as excess or unsafe alcohol intake, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, palpitations, poor motor coordination, slowed breathing, altered mental status, and anxiety.
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Both alcohol and cannabis impair cognitive and motor functions, but they do so in different ways. Alcohol impairs your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and react quickly. It also affects your motor skills, making tasks like driving extremely dangerous. Alcohol is directly toxic to the brain and body, and binge drinking may lead to serious consequences such as slowed breathing, altered mental status, organ injury, coma, and death.
Cannabis can also impair cognitive functions, though its effects vary depending on the strain and dosage. It can also slow reaction times, impair memory, and affect coordination, but it isn’t toxic by itself. When combined, however, these substances can severely impair your ability to function. The compounded effects of being crossfaded can lead to significant impairment, increasing the risk of injuries and accidents.
While many people use alcohol and cannabis together to enhance their experience, it’s important to understand the risks. The combination increases alcohol and cannabinoid levels and impairment intensity, and it leads to a higher likelihood of accidents and risky behaviors. There’s also the potential for severe nausea, vomiting, and paranoia, often referred to as “greening out,” a condition that happens when the body is overwhelmed by the combined effects.
Long-term use of both substances together can have detrimental effects on brain and organ system health. Chronic use can lead to changes in brain structure and function, resulting in cognitive deficits and significant mental and physical health issues.
Being crossfaded doesn’t just affect you physically. It can also impact your social interactions. When mixing these two substances, the altered state of mind and impaired judgment can lead to uncharacteristic behavior, potentially straining relationships and leading to regrettable decisions. Memory lapses are also more likely to occur in this state. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while some people enjoy the combined effects, others find it overwhelming and unpleasant.
Therefore, being aware of how these substances affect you personally is crucial. Everyone’s body reacts differently, and what might be a pleasant experience for one person could be a nightmare for another.
If you choose to use alcohol and cannabis together, it’s important to do so safely. Here are some tips for harm reduction:
Having a better understanding of how alcohol and cannabis can help you make better decisions about your consumption. While being crossfaded might offer a unique experience, it comes with increased risks and potential negative effects that can definitely ruin your night – or your life. By being aware of these risks and following protective measures, you can potentially enjoy these substances responsibly and safely.
Never forget that the key to safe consumption is knowledge and moderation. Stay informed, know your limits, and always prioritize your health and safety.
Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
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