Alcohol can contribute to social and behavioral issues, including aggression, mood swings, outbursts, relationship issues, and legal troubles. Additionally, compounds in cannabis can help prevent some diseases, stunt oxidative damage, and can also help prevent major conditions. Some compounds in cannabis have been found to be anticancer, antibiotic, and antifungal. Cannabis can be addictive but this is more a psychological dependency than a physical one. It can be more habitual or emotional in nature and can be aided by therapy and not necessarily require outside intervention.

Evaluating Long-Term Respiratory Impacts

Cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia, especially in those who are predisposed to psychiatric issues. It can also exacerbate existing anxiety and depression and trigger temporary feelings of paranoia and hostility. In this time of information overabundance, much of which is inaccurate, unhelpful, or even difficult to understand, Northwell Health is on a mission to make a difference as an honest, trusted, and caring partner. The site connects with consumers to provide them with personalized content that reduces their stress, makes them laugh, and ultimately feel more confident and capable on their healthcare journey. They may all taste different, but in terms of the effect that alcohol has on your body, they act the same way. This isn’t the case with marijuana because there are several different strains of cannabis.

Behavioral and Social Dimensions Over Time

“You can go from an experience that’s reasonably pleasant to one that’s not,” says Dr. Gruber. On the surface, cannabis appears to be safer, but there’s simply not enough evidence to declare a winner. The data suggests that 30% of those who use cannabis may have some degree of cannabis use disorder.

They’re unique substances that produce different effects, which makes side-by-side comparisons difficult. Some sources suggest that drinking a little bit of alcohol can be beneficial due to the social aspect of drinking and because those who drink moderately can afford alcohol. Weed may provide relief for people living with chronic pain, multiple sclerosis-related spasticity, or nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. Some people are choosing to replace alcohol with weed, and experts commend the trend of questioning one’s relationship with alcohol.

Observing Gastrointestinal and Cardiac Effects

And, while there is a lot of positive talk about cannabis, there are risks—especially if you’re over 55. While both substances carry a potential for misuse and addiction, it appears to be more common with alcohol. However, there is limited research and evidence to make a direct comparison between the two. The effects of each substance differ for each individual, and factors such as consumption method, frequency, and volume play a significant role in the impact on health. Heavy drinking can also take a toll on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart disease and negatively impacting blood pressure.

Transitioning now into the critical scientific details, the following sections will explore biology, behavior, and comparative outcomes based on extensive research methodologies and robust clinical evidence. Alcohol is strongly linked to several types of cancer, including breast cancer. The US Department of Health lists alcohol as a known human carcinogen, and research suggests that the more alcohol is consumed regularly, the higher the risk of developing cancer. This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide. One way to develop a healthy relationship with cannabis is to use it intentionally.

Lifestyle Quizzes

It makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes. For example, drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more are 11 times more likely to be killed in a single-vehicle crash than sober drivers. Alcohol is also highly addictive and over time addiction can increase your chances of developing health issues and even a physical dependency. Cannabis has been found to potentially increase your chances of developing anxiety, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms.There is ongoing research on the relationship between marijuana use and mental health disorders. Overall, cannabis use can be healthier and less addictive than alcohol use.

The more people drank, the higher their risk of dying and their risk of cancer. Alcohol is not only more addictive it also can cause more lasting damage to your health than cannabis. While excessive marijuana use can take a negative toll on your health many of these side effects can be reversible. Medical cannabis is available in more delivery methods than ever before, such as gummy bears, dried flowers, pills, lotions, drops and a variety of edibles, but what exactly does it do? With so much misinformation and junk-science on the internet, it is important to get solid facts from doctors and scientists you can trust before deciding if medical marijuana could help you. Now leading experts at Harvard Medical School are here to help you separate fact from frightening fiction about medical cannabis so you can make informed decisions.

Method of consumption

• In general, marijuana is considered less harmful than alcohol but alcohol can be considered more socially acceptable.
• However, ultimately cannabis edibles can take less of a toll on your health and provide you with a high or relaxation without causing too much damage to your body or health.
• Furthermore, many commercial edibles and tinctures undergo stringent testing and labeling requirements, ensuring users are informed about the potency and composition of the products they are consuming.

In today’s evolving landscape of substance use, understanding the prolonged consequences of alcohol and marijuana is critical. Numerous studies have explored how chronic consumption of these substances impacts pain, memory, behavior, cognition, and the endocannabinoid system. This article examines the long-term impacts of alcohol and marijuana on both biological and behavioral levels, comparing their specific effects and implications on cognition, physiology, and social behavior. With detailed insights drawn from epidemiological studies and data by researchers including Peter Grinspoon, the article aims to align clinical evidence with practical decision-making approaches. Moreover, by analyzing data on drug liberalization trends and substance abuse rates, the discussion integrates both molecular data (e.g., changes in neuronal function and liver enzyme activity) and broader societal outcomes.

With proper tolerance breaks, you can lower your tolerance of THC and become less reliant on large amounts of cannabis to feel the same way and regulate your cannabis use. The cannabinoids found in beverages are specially formulated to dissolve in liquid. This means they are more easily and rapidly absorbed into the body’s soft tissues. “People are interested in an experience that allows them to relax and enjoy themselves. Some are leaning into cannabis drinks as part of the ‘Cali sober’ trend,” says Dr. Gruber. People’s responses to each substance can vary greatly, so what seems safer for one person might not work for someone Weed vs booze else.

While alcohol remains the most-used drug in the US, daily cannabis use has actually outpaced daily drinking, according to a study following four decades of consumption trends. It’s possible to develop an emotional or physical dependence on both substances. As with the short-term effects of alcohol and cannabis, the long-term effects differ from person to person. The short-term effects of cannabis and alcohol differ from person to person. However, experts say that cannabis tends to come with fewer risks than alcohol, but there are a lot of factors to consider. The experience of dependence on marijuana tends to be less severe than that of alcohol.

Booze vs. Weed

One study examined these data points exploring when cannabis was legalized vs. when retail sales began. However, this is low compared to 40% of all car crashes that directly involve alcohol. That roughly translates to cannabis is not directly related to any increase in the chances of death or has a significant impact on your lifespan. It can be challenging to ascertain how many deaths are caused by cannabis. While there can be the odd allergic reaction or bad interaction or even a child may inadvertently consume cannabis, there isn’t sufficient data to point towards any deaths caused by cannabis. If you down one cannabis drink and don’t wait long enough to feel the effects and have one or two more, you can double or triple your THC dose very quickly.

Alcohol Vs Weed: Which Is Healthier?

• Cannabis addiction is surprisingly common, however, according to a 2015 study.
• While there can be the odd allergic reaction or bad interaction or even a child may inadvertently consume cannabis, there isn’t sufficient data to point towards any deaths caused by cannabis.
• Research has indicated that chronic alcohol use modifies cortisol levels, contributing to both physiological stress and mood dysregulation.
• One argument I often hear is that many more people end up in the emergency room after drinking alcohol than smoking pot—and that’s true.
• Educational campaigns and evolving policies are beginning to address this stigma, yet the lived experiences of affected individuals continue to be shaped by historical biases and ongoing misconceptions.

However, the type and amount of cannabinoids that different cannabis-based products claim to contain vary widely — and the labels aren’t necessarily accurate, says Dr. Gruber. “The gummies, for example, can take as long as an hour and a half to have an effect, but people expecting a quick hit may take more, impacting the effects and even landing in the emergency room,” Cooper said. Public attitudes toward cannabis have shifted dramatically over the past decade, with some perceiving cannabis to be safer than alcohol.

Cannabis can affect your ability to pay attention, memory, and decision-making. It can overall slow your reaction time and your general perception of time and distance which can increase your likelihood of getting into an accident. While the death toll may not be the same, the effect on drivers has been sufficiently observed. While, due to alcohol being legal for decades and drunk driving being illegal for a significant amount of time the law has preset blood alcohol levels to dictate how much alcohol is too much in your system while driving. Additionally, cannabis is not always the only drug or substance that someone might be using.