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Emerging scientific investigation released in the prestigious psychiatry journal suggests that adopting a “California sober” approach could significantly assist people reduce their alcohol consumption.

The Study and Controlled Environment Scenario

A team of Brown University conducted a unique study where participants were provided with cannabis cigarettes to smoke before entering a carefully constructed “bar lab”.

• Subjects had the option to drink up to eight mini alcoholic beverages.
• The trial was repeated on three occasions with different THC potencies: high potency, moderate potency, and a 0.03% cannabis.

Great care was taken to mimic a real-life bar atmosphere, complete with low light and drinks on tap to guarantee subject realism.

“We wanted to ensure that when presented with the chance, you would be highly motivated to consume alcohol,” explained the lead researcher.

Key Findings and Impact on Drinking

Results revealed a notable decrease in drink consumption after participants used marijuana:

• Alcohol consumption dropped by nineteen percent after consuming moderate-THC marijuana.
• The drop was even more significant with high-THC marijuana, leading to a 27% reduction versus the control.

Wider Trends and Future Research

Expanded legal access has spurred a significant rise in cannabis usage, which has doubled over the last ten years.

Meanwhile, drink use is at a record low, with many opting for alternatives like weed.

It is important to note that forty percent of study subjects met the criteria for alcohol dependence.

Although cannabis could serve as a possible solution to excessive alcohol use, researchers warn that more research is needed.

“We’re not ready to tell individuals in treatment for drinking problems, ‘Go ahead and replace cannabis, and it will be effective for you,’” a study author commented.