Is Cannabis Safer Than Alcohol?

Cannabis

Americans are gravitating away from alcohol and toward cannabis as natural health becomes more of a focus. According to a survey, 45% of respondents over 21 indicated that they had substituted cannabis for alcohol during the epidemic. According to some research, the number of states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use also saw a reduction in alcohol sales.

But would it be a bright idea to substitute cannabis for hard liquor?

Let’s find out.

How Does Alcohol Differ From Cannabis?

Historically, alcohol consumption has been far more widespread than cannabis consumption. This is due, in part, to the fact that alcohol has enjoyed more time as a legal substance than cannabis has. As a result, we know far less about the long-term effects of cannabis use than we know about the long-term effects of alcohol use.

While the effects of alcohol use on memory and cognition are distinct from such effects from cannabis use, there are some commonalities between the two substances. Medication interactions are one similarity between the two. If cannabis usage interferes with the liver’s ability to break down other chemicals, you may be exposed to high levels of prescription drugs.

Cannabis, like alcohol, is detrimental to a child’s cognitive development. Hence, marijuana should not be used by anybody under the age of 21, pregnant, or lactating.

However, some studies have found no link between the use of cannabis and lung cancer, while others have found that cannabis use is connected with an increased risk of bronchitis and other lung ailments.

The risks are likely different for law-abiding cannabis users compared to those who use the drug unlawfully since they may consume cannabis of lower quality and less frequently.

Dangers And Health Risks Of Alcohol

Overindulgence of alcohol has adverse effects on an individual’s health, as well as on society as a whole. Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with several health problems, including:

• Cancer
• Heart disease and other long-term conditions
• Brain, liver, pancreatic, and immune system dysfunction
• Accidental injuries (like falls, car crashes, and drowning)
• Harming other people (for instance, fetal alcohol exposure and intimate partner violence)
• Learning and memory issues
• Shorter life span
• Addiction
• Death from alcohol poisoning

Several undesirable effects can be experienced even by those who do not engage in excessive drinking.

• Inflammation
• Dehydration
• Upset stomach and nausea
• Hangovers
• Sleep deprivation
• Dangerous medication interactions

Some people should abstain from drinking at all costs. This includes those under 21 who live in the United States of America, where alcohol consumption is illegal for anyone under 21, and women who are either confirmed pregnant or may be expecting.

Adults who abuse alcohol as children are more likely to acquire alcoholism in maturity because of the long-term consequences on the growing brain caused by underage drinking.

No matter how far along a woman is in her pregnancy, drinking too much alcohol could increase her risk of having a child with severe birth abnormalities. The term “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders” refers to conditions that can occur in a child born to a mother who drank alcohol while pregnant (FASDs).

Benefits Of Cannabis Vs. Alcohol

Alcohol has very few positive effects on a person’s health. Moderate alcohol use (approximately one drink, or fewer, per day) may have the following health benefits, all of which are related to cardiovascular health:

• Polyphenols, which are found in red wine, have anti-inflammatory qualities.
• Fibrinogen, a protein that helps blood clot, is reduced by drinking alcohol.
• Moderate alcohol use may raise HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol).

Regular and occasional use of cannabis can:

• Soothe the aching muscles and joints
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Stimulate appetite
• Reduce the effects of chemotherapy on the body, such as nausea and vomiting
• Help chronic pain sufferers to sleep better
• Pain relief
• Boost the mood and quality of life of those with medical issues

Other health benefits of cannabis, such as its cancer-fighting properties and the ability to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease and autism, are now being researched.

One of the most incredible benefits of cannabis is that it does not lead to death. On the other hand, the CDC states that about 88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related overdoses. Nearly two-thirds of those fatalities were the result of heavy drinking.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the United States, there have been no reports of an adult death exclusively due to excessive cannabis usage.

Conclusion

According to the most recent studies, medical marijuana is better for you and less harmful than regular alcohol. However, to properly grasp the relative hazards and benefits, massive studies must be conducted over long periods to learn the relative dangers and benefits correctly.

Alcohol and marijuana can both impact the development of the brain and overall central nervous system. Moreover, driving under the influence of either substance is unsafe because both affect thinking and memory. Avoid them if you’re under 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Need To Know More? Pure Oasis Can Help

Are you interested in learning more about the advantages and risks of cannabis? Pure Oasis is the place to go for help. We’re Boston’s first legal recreational marijuana dispensary, proud to provide a friendly atmosphere and superior goods in a professional setting. Check out our section on edibles while you’re here!