It’s a true blessing to have great friends who frequently get together. However, those blessings may overflow, as experienced by “B,” a 43-year-old Atlantan who CNN is not identifying for privacy reasons.
“I love Champagne bubbles and having Champagne on a patio on Sunday with friends — it’s an ideal day,” B said. “But my friends hang out all the time, and even on a weeknight, it would end up being bottles of wine. I felt like I should have invested in box wine, especially during the pandemic.” Today, B has given up alcohol, turning instead to marijuana gummies when she wants a buzz.
The Rise of Cannabis Over Alcohol
The use of weed to replace alcohol is a growing trend in the United States. A recent study found that for the first time ever, the daily use of cannabis among Americans has surpassed the daily use of alcohol. Nearly 18 million people aged 12 and older reported using marijuana daily or near daily in 2022, compared with about 15 million who said they used alcohol with the same frequency, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Health and Lifestyle Considerations
For B, giving up alcohol was a necessity. Her periodic binge drinking with friends was taking a toll, affecting her work performance and her ability to exercise. “I’m really healthy, I eat clean and work out all the time, and I just was not feeling good anymore,” B said. “Then one day I was laying on my couch, and my heart was racing like it was coming out of my chest.” With a family history of alcoholism and heart disease, B decided to quit alcohol completely. After a few months of total sobriety, she began experimenting with cannabis gummies.
The Health Debate: Alcohol vs. Weed
Is replacing alcohol with weed a healthier option? It depends, experts say. Carol Boyd, founding director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health at the University of Michigan, highlighted that questioning one’s relationship with alcohol is healthy. Moderate alcohol consumption carries health risks, including high blood pressure, dangerous irregular heartbeats, and brain shrinkage.
Binge drinking, which increased during the pandemic, poses significant health risks, especially for women. The alcohol-induced death rate jumped 26% between 2019 and 2020. Conversely, while marijuana also poses risks, especially for young users and daily consumers, the method of consumption plays a crucial role.
The Risks of Marijuana Consumption
Studies show that smoking or vaping marijuana can have severe cardiovascular effects, such as increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Marijuana smoke contains toxins and carcinogens that can damage the lungs and cardiovascular system. However, other consumption methods, such as edibles, oils, or tinctures, might reduce these risks, though research on the long-term impacts of these alternatives is still in its infancy.
Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a cannabis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasized that while smoking marijuana is not recommended, there are safer alternatives like edibles, tinctures, and topicals. However, due to uneven regulation and limited research on the long-term effects of daily edible use, experts like Boyd call for more data.
The trend of replacing alcohol with weed reflects a broader reevaluation of substance use and health. While cannabis might offer a less harmful alternative to alcohol for some, it’s essential to consider individual health circumstances and consumption methods. As this trend grows, further research and regulation are needed to ensure safe and informed use.
#CannabisTrend #AlcoholFree #MarijuanaUse #HealthAndWellness #WeedVsAlcohol #CannabisEdibles #SubstanceUse #HealthResearch #USDrugTrends #HealthyLiving #meowdininews #mdinicoin
Source: CNN
Comments