New Insights from a Federally Funded Human Study
In a landmark study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researchers have found that cannabis consumption can significantly reduce alcohol intake and cravings in people who regularly engage in heavy drinking. The study was conducted by a joint research team from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado and published as a preprint on the open-access platform PsyArXiv.
The goal was to explore whether cannabis might serve as a behavioral substitute for alcohol—offering a potential harm-reduction tool for people who are not ready or willing to quit drinking entirely.
How the Experiment Was Designed
The research involved 62 adult participants, all of whom reported frequent and heavy use of both alcohol and cannabis over the prior three months. Each participant attended two controlled lab sessions.
In one session, they were allowed to consume alcohol alone—up to five drinks, beginning with a “priming” drink and followed by four more offered at 15-minute intervals. In the other session, they first used marijuana in a manner of their choice—smoked, vaped, or ingested—at their typical self-reported dosage, which was weighed and recorded by the researchers.
Cannabis Reduced Alcohol Use by 25% on Average
The results were clear: When participants used cannabis before drinking, they consumed less alcohol. On average, they drank 1.5 alcoholic beverages compared to 2 drinks when no cannabis was used—representing a 25% decrease in consumption.
But it wasn’t just about the number of drinks. Participants also reported noticeably lower cravings for alcohol when they had used cannabis first. For many, the desire to keep drinking simply faded more quickly after marijuana consumption.
Cravings Fell for Some, But Not All
Importantly, the researchers noted that not all participants reacted the same way. While a majority experienced reduced cravings and drank less, some participants showed no change—or even an increase—in alcohol consumption and desire. This variability points to the complex and highly individual nature of cannabis’s effects on the brain and behavior.
The team highlighted that several factors—such as a person’s reason for using cannabis, the social context of drinking, and the subjective effects they feel—can influence whether cannabis acts as a substitute or not. Interestingly, THC blood levels did not appear to play a significant role in the outcome.
What Does This Mean for Harm Reduction?
The idea of using cannabis to reduce harm from alcohol is gaining traction, especially as more people explore alternatives to traditional abstinence-only treatment models. The study’s findings support a growing belief that cannabis could serve as a “substitution tool,” potentially helping some people to manage or moderate their alcohol use.
Researchers emphasized, however, that further studies are needed to better understand which individuals are most likely to benefit from this substitution effect, and how different factors—such as gender, mental health, or cannabis product type—might influence the results.
Cannabis Use Trends Support the Data
This study aligns with broader trends observed in recent consumer behavior research. A separate March 2024 survey found that 75% of young adults reported using cannabis instead of alcohol at least once per week. Analysts described this as a “fast-emerging” pattern, driven in part by the growing availability of legal cannabis products in many states.
As cannabis continues to enter the mainstream—both culturally and commercially—its role in shaping public health approaches to addiction and recovery is becoming more prominent.
Further Reading on Cannabis Science and Harm Reduction
For more on how cannabis compounds may influence health and addiction treatment, check out these in-depth articles from our portal:
- Cannabis Compounds Show Promise in Neuroblastoma Treatment
- Legal Cannabis Linked to Reduced Problematic Use, Swiss Study Finds
- THC-Free Cannabis Terpenes Show Potential as Opioid Alternative in 2025
