Discussion: Alcohol & Cannabinoids

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Alcohol & Cannabinoids​

Alcohol (ethanol) acts as a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant. It enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity and inhibits glutamate, which stimulates the CNS. It also stimulates the release of dopamine, leading to the euphoria commonly associated with intoxication. Alcohol is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body, affecting nearly every system.


Synthetic cannabinoids are designed to mimic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound in cannabis, by acting on cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the brain. They have a high affinity for the CB1 receptor, which is primarily found in the CNS and contributes to their potent psychoactive effects. Some synthetic cannabinoids may affect the release of serotonin, influencing mood and perception.


The interaction between alcohol and synthetic cannabinoids involves complex mechanisms within the brain and body, leading to potentially unpredictable and hazardous effects.

Some users report enhanced pleasurable sensations due to the intensified psychoactive effects when combining these substances. But for this combination, there are many dangers and side reactions that overlap only a potential and small increase in this kind a benefits.

• Cognitive Impairment: Both substances can impair judgment, memory, and attention. Modern studies show that ethanol enhances cannabinoid-induced impairment of sensorimotor and memory functions.
• Psychological Distress: Anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis may be more likely with the combination due to overstimulation of the brain's reward and stress pathways.
• Cardiovascular Risk: Increased heart rate and blood pressure can result from this combination, posing a risk to those with heart conditions.
• Addiction Potential: Combined use can overstimulate the dopamine system, potentially leading to more intense feelings of euphoria but also an increased risk of addiction.
• Acute Toxicity: The risk of acute toxicity and overdose is heightened as the combination can lead to vomiting, severe respiratory depression and cardiac problems.
• Risk of Seizures: With regular frequency, there are data on the development of convulsive syndrome in people who have taken synthetic cannabinoids, including in combination with alcohol.
• Unpredictable Reactions: Synthetic cannabinoids are not a single substance but a group of chemicals with varying effects, making their interaction with alcohol highly unpredictable and dangerous.

Unlike alcohol, which can be quite successfully dosed, cannabinoids have a powerful and difficult-to-predict effect, which in combination with alcohol intoxication will lead to an unpleasant pastime, which can be aggravated by serious side reactions. As mentioned, cannabinoids are a whole group of substances and it is simply impossible to reliably predict the results of such a combination at the moment.

All things considered, we recommend avoiding this combination under any conditions.