CBD From Cannabis Could Help Reduce Alcohol Binge Drinking, Study Shows

The cannabinoid CBD reduces rates of binge drinking and alcohol blood
concentrations, a new study of mice indicates.

Using what they called a “murine drinking-in-the-dark” research model,
scientists at the University of Sydney investigated the theory that
non-intoxicating cannabidiol could mitigate problematic drinking issues.

“These experiments consistently showed a dose-dependent suppression of
alcohol consumption by CBD,” the paper concludes. “The efficacy of acute
CBD persisted for several months, was maintained during sub-chronic
administration and was not associated with locomotor impairments.”

The study, published in the journal British Journal of Pharmacology with
funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council,
found that “CBD represents a promising candidate to reduce voluntary
alcohol consumption.”

“Mechanisms driving CBD’s alcohol-related effects remain unclear and may
involve polypharmacology, including actions at the [neuropeptide S
receptor] identified in the present study,” researchers said.

“The present findings showed a clear, dose-dependent inhibition by CBD of
binge-like ethanol consumption in male and female mice. This effect was
supported by [blood ethanol concentration] data and could not be attributed
to sedation, because CBD did not alter locomotor activity. CBD suppressed
drinking with acute administration, and the effect was maintained when CBD
was administered sub-chronically, indicating the effect was not subject to
tolerance.”

“CBD presents as a promising novel pharmacotherapy for problematic alcohol
use; however, how CBD generates alcohol-related benefits is yet to be
determined,” the study says. “Unravelling CBD’s mechanisms may direct the
development of safer, more effective [alcohol use disorder] therapeutics.”

Results of a separate study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry
also indicated that a single, 800-milligram dose of CBD can help manage
certain alcohol cravings among people with alcohol use disorder (AUD),
supporting the use of the marijuana component as a potential treatment
option for problem drinkers.

Federally funded research into the effects of cannabis on alcohol use that
was published last month also found that people who used marijuana
immediately before drinking subsequently consumed fewer alcoholic beverages
and reported lower cravings for alcohol.

The study follows a separate survey analysis published in March that found
that three in four young adults reported substituting cannabis for alcohol
at least once per week—a “fast-emerging” trend that reflects the “rapid
expansion” of the hemp product marketplace.

The report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) found that, across various
demographics, cannabis is increasingly being used as an alternative to
alcohol and even non-alcoholic beverages as more companies—including major
multi-state marijuana operators (MSOs)—expand their offerings.

The findings were largely consist with a growing body of studies indicating
that cannabis—whether federally legal hemp or still-prohibited marijuana—is
being utilized as a substitute for many Americans amid the reform movement.

An earlier survey from YouGov, for example, found that a majority of
Americans believe regular alcohol consumption is more harmful than regular
marijuana use. Even so, more adults said they personally prefer drinking
alcohol to consuming cannabis despite the health risks.

A separate poll released in January determined that more than half of
marijuana consumers say they drink less alcohol, or none at all, after
using cannabis.

Yet another survey—which was supported by the National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA) and released in December—found that young adults are nearly
three times more likely to use marijuana than alcohol on a daily or
near-daily basis.

That poll provided more granular, age-specific findings than a similar
report published last year, finding that more Americans overall smoke
marijuana on a daily basis than drink alcohol every day—and that alcohol
drinkers are more likely to say they would benefit from limiting their use
than cannabis consumers are.

A separate study published in the journal Addiction last year similarly
found that there are more U.S. adults who use marijuana daily than who
drink alcohol every day.

In December, BI also published the results of a survey indicating that substitution
of cannabis for alcohol is “soaring” as the state-level legalization
movement expands and relative perceptions of harm shift. A significant
portion of Americans also said in that poll that they substitute marijuana
for cigarettes and painkillers.

Another BI analysis from last September projected that the expansion of the
marijuana legalization movement will continue to post a “significant
threat” to the alcohol industry, citing survey data that suggests more
people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a
beer and wine.

Yet another study on the impact of marijuana consumption on people’s use of
other drugs that was released in December suggested that, for many, cannabis
may act as a less-dangerous substitute, allowing people to reduce their
intake of substances such as alcohol, methamphetamine and opioids like
morphine.

A study out of Canada, where marijuana is federally legal, found that legalization
was “associated with a decline in beer sales,” suggesting a substitution
effect.

The analyses comport with other recent survey data that more broadly looked
at American views on marijuana versus alcohol. For example, a Gallup survey
found that respondents view cannabis as less harmful than alcohol, tobacco
and nicotine vapes—and more adults now smoke cannabis than smoke cigarettes.

A separate survey released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
and Morning Consult last June also found that Americans consider marijuana
to be significantly less dangerous than cigarettes, alcohol and opioids—and
they say cannabis is less addictive than each of those substances, as well
as technology.

Meanwhile, a leading alcohol industry association is calling on Congress to dial
back language in a House committee-approved spending bill that would ban
most consumable hemp products, instead proposing to maintain the
legalization of naturally derived cannabinoids from the crop and only
prohibit synthetic items.

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Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment.