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The Big Debate: Weed Vs Alcohol

Trying to decide which is better or which is worse for you is an argument that has been going around for a long time. There has been plenty of research carried out, especially over the past couple of decades, which shows weed has far fewer risks in comparison to alcohol. These days, with some states in America, the whole of Canada, and many countries around the globe legalizing marijuana, there is very little difference purchasing pot compared to buying alcohol. In fact, in some areas, it’s easier to buy marijuana because dispensaries are often open 24 hours a day 7 days a week while most shops are only allowed to sell alcohol at certain times of the day. 

There are different types of strains and marijuana products that give people different effects, which makes it difficult to compare the two. Cannabis grown from a Sativa plant will produce very different effects from weed grown from an Indica plant. 

However, we have managed to combine some of the basic effects and issues with both substances to see how they compare with each other. 

Individual Biology

Before we get started, please keep in mind that both booze and cannabis react differently from person to person. Just because one person has a tolerance for marijuana, doesn’t mean they can drink a copious amount of alcohol and vice versa. Plus, both substances can affect a person differently.

Some people might find after smoking a certain strain that they feel tired while others might feel wide awake and full of energy

When you mix both alcohol and cannabis together, it can cause a completely different experience. Most people find it difficult to function properly after mixing the substances, so make sure you avoid operating a vehicle when under the influence. 

What are the Short-Term Effects of Alcohol?

Not everybody reacts the same when they are intoxicated from drinking alcohol. One person might feel happy and have a good time, while others feel restless. Here are few other common effects brought on by alcohol. 

  • Nausea: If you ever want to see the short-term effects of drinking alcohol, just go outside a nightclub when they are about to close. You’ll normally find at least one person feeling nauseous. Don’t stand too close, as this often leads to vomiting. 
  • Shorter attention span: People who are extremely drunk often forget where they are. They often lose their personal items while out drinking. 
  • Drowsiness: Although alcohol can help a person fall asleep, the chances of having a quality sleep are highly unlikely. Even if you sleep for eight hours after drinking a lot of alcohol, the chances are you will be tired the next day.
  • Relaxed: After a hard day at work, some people relax by opening up an ice cold beer. 
  • Coordination: Those who are very drunk might find it very hard to walk. This is one of the reasons why you should never drink and drive. Not only will your coordination be off, but your reaction timing will be affected too. 

The most talked about short-term effect of drinking alcohol is the hangover the following day after a night out. This can make someone feel terrible, and they might experience headaches and diarrhea. To reduce the hangover, experts advise us to drink plenty of water so that we are not dehydrated the following day.

Short Term Effects of Cannabis

As discussed earlier, cannabis affects everyone differently. Here are a few of the most common effects to the substance:

  • Pain relief: Many people who suffer from chronic pain use cannabis to treat it. Some claim it works moments after consuming the substance. Marijuana stores that legally sell cannabis products, like Hamilton (Canada) dispensary, have a wide range of weed that helps with pain relief. 
  • Red eyes: After consuming cannabis, especially after smoking it, most people tend to get red eyes. Lots of people nowadays carry eye drops to avoid their eyes changing color. 
  • Altered perception of the time: Because almost everything feels different after consuming marijuana, it is hard to keep track of the time, date, and if the weed is extremely potent, the year!
  • Dry mouth: If you are intending to use a lot of cannabis, it’s probably best if you bring some cold water with you as the substance is known to cause dry mouth. 
  • Increased hunger: You have probably come across the word “munchies” in the past. This is when a person consumes a lot of cannabis and gets extremely hungry. For anyone who has tried cannabis in the past, they have probably had an increased appetite, often leading to snacking on unhealthy foods. 
  • Drowsiness: Not all cannabis makes people tired, but most people feel cannabis grown from an Indica plant helps people get a good nice sleep. In fact, people suffering from insomnia all around the globe use cannabis to help them sleep at night. 
  • Relaxed: One of the main reasons why people like using cannabis is because it makes them feel relaxed. Life can be stressful at times, so consuming weed can help them escape from the world for a while.
  • Creativity: Some weed, especially marijuana from a Sativa plant can inspire some people to be more creative. This uplifting substance is used by artists, authors, and designers on a regular basis to help them tap into their creative side.

Although people don’t talk about weed hangovers in the same way they speak about hangovers from alcohol, they do exist although they are no way as intense. Some people experience headaches after a night consuming pot, while others feel like they have brain fog, and struggle to function.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol

Drinking alcohol consistently for many years can be detrimental to a person’s health. Here are a few of the issues that people have who drink too much booze:

  • Liver Disease: It is very common for people suffering from alcohol addiction to have chronic liver disease.
  • Heart Damage: Those who enjoy drinking regularly often damage their heart in the process.
  • Digestive problems: Alcohol can irritate the stomach, which sometimes leads to bloating, ulcers, and chronic pain.
  • Erectile dysfunction: Many people who drink long term suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Long Term Effects of Weed 

There has been a lot more research over the years with alcohol, so a lot of the long-term effects on cannabis products are unclear. However, here are a few of the general long terms effects known at present:

  • Short-term memory loss: People who use cannabis for a long time often suffer from short-term memory loss. 
  • Brain development problems: A study carried out in 2014 suggested that those who used marijuana on a regular basis as a teenager sometimes lead to brain development issues later in life. 
  • Schizophrenia: Although experts don’t yet fully understand the link between cannabis and schizophrenia, some experts believe the substance can trigger schizophrenia.

One of the reasons that long-term effects are difficult to follow up with when it comes to cannabis is because weed is a lot more potent these days.

If you want to purchase cannabis that is not too strong, just ask a budtender working in a pot shop for cannabis with a low amount of THC. 

Conclusion

Although alcohol seems to be much more dangerous than weed, keep in mind the cannabis is not entirely safe either.

Both alcoholism and drug addiction are major issues most societies face on a daily basis around the planet, but if consumed responsibly, both substances can be enjoyable. 

 

Jeff Campbell