Smoking cannabis can result in a good time, especially when that high kicks in. Many recreational users like to see how high they can get, and how they can use their stash more efficiently. Many like to smoke a lot. Some like to hotbox. Some even like to mix cannabis with something else to alter its effects. But what about mixing cannabis with alcohol? Is it safe? What would that feeling be like if they were mixed? Find that out, and more, below.
As a disclaimer, Reefer Post does not encourage the use of alcohol. Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that has been directly linked to causing fatalities. Cannabis, on the other hand, does not kill. Yes, we do promote the use of cannabis, but not alcohol. However, if you are looking to mix the two, we have various facts below on what you can expect from that experience. And remember, everyone is different. So while your friend may enjoy it, you could end up hating it due to how it makes you feel.
If you recall on one of our previous posts, “Foods That Will Increase Your High“, beer was on that list. Contents in beer have been scientifically proven to increase the blood THC level in a person that has already consumed some cannabis. Also, beer contains alcohol, and therefore mixes in with the cannabis. We call this getting “crossfaded”, which we will speak on more below.
Is It Safe?
So, is mixing alcohol with cannabis safe? The short answer is yes. However, there are several factors that come into play when mixing the two drugs. For example, everyone is different. Some people will be able to handle a crossfade better than others. Also, those with a higher tolerance to cannabis and/or alcohol have a better chance of enjoying the mix.
Another factor is knowing your limits. If you are familiar with alcohol, then you may be familiar with the feeling of drinking too much. You may also know that the feeling sucks. Thus, drinking too much then smoking weed can cause negative effects. This is known as “greening out”. Some effects from this can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, and even a bad hangover in the morning.
[bctt tweet=”The feeling of drinking too much alcohol can be a bad one.” username=”reefer_post”]
Even smoking too much weed could cause negative effects. For this reason, dabbing or smoking any forms of cannabis concentrate is not recommended, as the THC level in these are typically much higher than regular cannabis. Eating a cannabis edible is also not recommended, as the high from these can be sudden and very strong. If you’re going to drink alcohol, stick to regular weed, your body will thank you later.
What Does It Feel Like?
Now that you know it’s safe to mix alcohol with cannabis, it’s time to try it out! Just remember, use responsibly. Too much of either drug could produce negative effects. But, if you use the right amount, you could be in for a good time.
A study done in 2015 showed that drinking alcohol before you smoke weed can actually increase your high. This is done when alcohol is consumed and travels through your digestive system, opening up blood vessels as it moves along. These opened blood vessels can absorb THC much easier, and quicker. Depending on how much alcohol you consume, the rate of THC absorption in your body could potentially be doubled if you drink alcohol before you smoke weed. This means your high could end up being twice as strong! In addition, if you drink enough alcohol, that high will be mixed in with a slight feeling of drunkenness.
On the other hand, if you were to smoke cannabis before drinking alcohol, you may be able to increase the effects of the alcohol. Cannabis can activate your body’s cannabinoid 2 receptor, which allows your body to absorb alcohol much quicker. Now, this is not recommended, as it is an easy way to get very drunk and not feel high at all. This is a cannabis blog, after all, so we recommend drinking, and then smoking. However, if you favor alcohol over cannabis, then go ahead, use the weed to get you drunk. Just use responsibly and beware of getting too drunk and possibly blacking out.
The Best Practices
Mixing alcohol and cannabis can be lots of fun, but what are the best ways to go about doing this? You could try something on your own, and like it more than our ideas. Everyone is different, so not everyone may like this. Anyways, here is some tips on the best practices in mixing alcohol with cannabis:
Drink first, then smoke. As stated above, drinking alcohol before you smoke cannabis can increase the effects from the cannabis. This way, you could use your cannabis more efficiently and get a better high. Let’s say you only have a small amount of weed left, but you have some alcohol handy. You could use the alcohol to increase your high, that way you are using up that small stash to its max.
Go with a sativa. Alcohol is depressant. For this reason, sativa and sativa-dominant hybrid strains tend to work better with alcohol compared to indica strains. Smoking an indica strain after drinking alcohol could make you feel down and very tired, resulting in a short night. Sativa strains, on the other hand, can leave you feeling happy and uplifted, which pairs better with alcohol.
Stay full and hydrated. Any experienced alcohol drinker knows that the best way to avoid getting too drunk and feeling sick is to stay full and stay hydrated. By this, I mean don’t start drinking on an empty stomach. Also, drink plenty of water before, during, and after you consume alcohol or cannabis. Drinking and/or smoking on an empty stomach can be bad on the body, possibly resulting in a headache, sickness, nausea, and even loss of appetite. Stick to food and water before you get the party started.
That’s all for this post! Hopefully you found this article not only informative, but helpful. Now you know how to safely use alcohol with cannabis, and hopefully know when enough is enough. Thanks for reading!
