Cannabis Versus Alcohol Health Risks – Which One Is Safer For You?
- 1. Cannabis versus alcohol deaths due to overdose
- 2. Risks of cancer and impact of cbd
- 3. Cannabis vs. alcohol social impact: booze & crime
- 4. Cannabis vs. alcohol: memory loss vs. blackouts
- 5. Cannabis vs. alcohol effects: hangovers
It’s unfair to compare alcohol and marijuana, yet people never tire of doing that very thing. When it comes to the effects of cannabis vs alcohol – which one is better for your health?
The comparison is often made, especially when drinking culture is so normalized. If you’ve ever wondered the same, this article will help put this debate to rest.
There are a substantial amount of deaths due to alcohol consumption annually. The stigma remains around cannabis despite the fact that no one has ever died from cannabis use It’s pretty difficult to compare the two, considering there are decades of data on the risks of alcohol whereas cannabis is the new kid on the block
However, despite the War on Drugs mythology, there’s a clear difference between the two. Data shows cannabis is safer than alcohol. Remember that there are many factors you could use to compare the two substances and how they affect the human body. Some factors include addiction, heart health, impaired driving, and more, not to mention more long-term health effects.
Let’s compare cannabis vs. alcohol safety by reviewing a few facts.
1. Cannabis Versus Alcohol Deaths Due to Overdose
According to various studies, the number of fatalities due to alcohol is spiking faster than ever. What’s alarming is that alcohol is socially accepted by everyone without any questions. Just like cigarettes are sold in stores everywhere with identification of different ages, depending on the country, alcohol is also sold across the world in most every grocery store without any consequences.
What could have caused this recent increase in deaths? In our opinion, it’s a combination of rampant sales and health dangers associated with drinking. There are reports that indicate moderate, responsible consumption isn’t dangerous. Sure, alcohol likely won’t kill you if you down a drink or two occasionally, but the problem is that you could feel the long-term health effects.
According to a report by the NIH1, more than 88,000 fatalities are documented every year due to alcohol in the U.S. alone. Also, these numbers don’t even count the number of deaths occurring due to rash-driving or accidents. On the contrary, these numbers purely consist of people dying due to alcohol-related diseases.Compared to cannabis, the number is staggering.
In 2024, there are zero deaths due to an overdose on cannabis. There was a case registered earlier on in 2019 that was suspected to be the very first death due to high levels of THC; however, it was debunked: investigations revealed that the deceased didn’t display extreme levels of THC in the blood.
There are a few hundred cases of people getting admitted to the hospital due to vaping issues, but the culprit is unfortunate vitamin E acetate that’s used by dealers in the unlicensed market to thicken the oil of e-cigarettes and in rare cases, cannabis oil. If you remain vigilant and purchase cannabis products from trusted sources, you’ll never have to worry about an overdose. It’s estimated that you’ll need to smoke at least 2000 joints to experience a THC overdose!
2. Risks of Cancer and Impact of CBD
Data shows that alcohol is responsible for certain types of cancer. According to the CDC3, drinking alcohol can raise the risk of cancers including throat, mouth, esophagus, rectum, colon, liver and breast cancer. In fact, a report by top cancer specialists states that drinking even a single glass of beer or wine every day can increase the likelihood of women developing premenopausal and postmenopausal cancer.
Obviously, this also means that the more you consume alcohol, the more you’re at risk of being diagnosed with cancer during your lifetime. Although this data is associated with breast cancer, it doesn’t mean that men are exempt. Drinking has negative long-term health effects for men.
On the other hand, cannabis has not been found to cause cancer and is even associated with beneficial effects on cancer. One study that found cannabis inhibits tumor cell growth From skin cancer to lung cancer, there have been claims that cannabis has helped reduce tumor growth. There are many studies on how cannabinoids including THC and CBD can reduce the negative side effects of chemotherapy.
Having said that, smoking cannabis –combustion of plant matter– can increase the risk of lung problems like bronchitis long-term. It’s similar to smoking cigarettes because you’re inhaling hot smoke. Unlike tobacco, combustion of weed has not been found to cause cancer. Switch to edibles or vaping as studies show these are the healthiest ways to consume cannabis.
3. Cannabis Vs. Alcohol Social Impact: Booze & Crime
Cannabis is way less violent than alcohol. Certain cases of domestic abuse, drinking, driving, and bar fights. These issues are exclusive to alcohol. While all the cases aren’t likely caused solely by alcohol, data shows that alcohol makes people more violent.
Would an abusive partner remain as abusive without the influence of alcohol? Well, we don’t know because there’s a dearth of exact numbers; however, alcohol definitely contributes to wildly swinging moods.
Alcohol contributes to at least 40% of violent crimes; 37% of sexual assaults; 15% of robberies; 28% of aggravated assaults, and 25.5% of simple assaults, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD).Whether you believe it or not, alcohol gets tempers flaring and the person bearing the brunt of it all is usually the partner. Comparing the statistics with cannabis, there are no reports of cannabis contributing to violence. In fact, it mellows you down to such an extent that you’ll probably lay down for a while rather than doing something adventurous.
4. Cannabis Vs. Alcohol: Memory Loss Vs. Blackouts
The most notable side effect of cannabis is that you tend to forget things. There have been studies conducted on this and the results show that cannabis plays a role in helping people diagnosed with PTSD forget bad memories.
But, whether they are bad or good memories, one can’t change the fact that it makes you forget things. Often, the side effects last for a few hours for occasional users while it can last for several weeks for long-term users. Once the THC is flushed out of your body, chances are that memories come back. Yes, cannabis can make you forgetful, but data shows it does not contribute to long-term memory loss disorders.
Comparing that with alcohol, there are several reports of alcohol working similarly. However, alcohol goes a step further. Adding to making you forgetful, abusing alcohol can deliver a swift blackout where you’re unlikely to remember anything that occurred. This usually seems funny especially in movies but in reality, it’s scary. Although you tend to feel much better in the mornings, blackouts can make you sicker than you think. Data shows that heavy drinking can contribute to long-term memory loss
5. Cannabis Vs. Alcohol Effects: Hangovers
Alcohol-induced hangovers can be nasty, and it gets even worse if you mix drinks. For instance, if you’re drinking beer and decide to shift to vodka for the rest of the night, you’ll never forgive yourself the next morning. Hangovers due to alcohol are usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and mind-boggling headaches.
These types of hangovers take a long time to reduce. There are several movies dedicated to what alcohol-induced hangovers look like, so you can check them out if you’re lucky enough to have never experienced one yourself.
When it comes to cannabis, there are no hangovers. In fact, even if you’ve passed out due to smoking too many joints or dabbing too many concentrates or whatever rocks your boat, hangovers induced to cannabis are pretty rare. Cannabis consumption makes you feel much better in the mornings because it has the ability to relax your muscles and offer a good night’s sleep.
You usually wake up fresher and ready to face the world after indulging in cannabis the night before. However, remember that this may not be the case with you because cannabis affects everyone differently. Edibles sometimes cause hangovers, but they’re mild. Take baby steps to figure out your tolerance and you’ll be fine.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol Facts and Statistics
2. Did a LaPlace woman overdose on marijuana?
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol and Cancer
4. Report on Carcinogens, Fourteenth Edition: Alcoholic Beverage Consumption
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.
