Marijuana vs Alcohol: What’s Healthier for Us?

The stigma about “pot heads” is real, but in reality smart cannabis consumption could actually be good for those brain cells. According to a study, THC (the stuff in buds that gets you high) could prevent the build-up of certain peptides in your brain that have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the study notes that marijuana may even help to prevent that build-up better than some Alzheimer’s drugs currently on the market.

The takeaway:

More research is needed, but weed might not damage your brain cells the way alcohol has been reported to in the past.

If you deal with anxiety issues then you might want to steer clear from cannabis containing high levels of THC, or go straight for the CBD oil instead. There are compounds in marijuana that interfere with your flight-or-fight response, which could lead to some pretty unpleasant feelings of anxiety and stress, rather than the more often talked about “chill” high that others can experience.

The takeaway:

Now that cannabis is legal, it is a lot easier to read the labels and see exactly what is in the strand you choose. If you do opt to smoke, go for a strand with a balanced THC-CBD blend or one that has low levels of THC.

There’s a reason people seem to come up with so many ideas while sipping on the sauce: one study shows that those who are slightly tipsy could actually perform better on creative problem-solving tests than their sober counterparts. While the study in question is small, that would explain why the ideas sometimes flow out after a drink or two.

The takeaway:

No one should rely on booze to help them think something through or deal with a problem. But if you do happen to have a great idea after a drink or two, definitely wait until you’re sober to analyze whether it really, truly is a great one.

There’s a good reason why health experts recommend that you eat instead of drink your calories: booze is full of them. Even if you have a 100-calorie shot of vodka that’s 100 extra calories in your day. Add in juice, pop, sweeteners and other mixes, and those calories add up fast—especially if you’re having more than one drink.

The takeaway:

While no one wants to (or should necessarily) sit there counting calories, it is a good idea to be mindful of how much alcohol you’re potentially consuming in terms of maintaining an overall balanced diet.

This may be one of the most obvious benefits of cannabis, one that has been a part of Western culture for years now, thanks to medical marijuana and a variety of studies on the subject. One such study in Canada confirms that marijuana can help relieve nerve pain, which makes it a potentially viable option for those with certain injuries or medical conditions who are trying to manage their symptoms.

The takeaway:

Always speak with your doctor if you’re looking to use marijuana as a part of your pain management plan, especially if you have other underlying issues or are on medication.

There are some studies that indicate cannabis use could be linked to schizophrenia, while others point out that perhaps using recreational marijuana might enhance pre-existing conditions. Then there are other studies that say marijuana use could be connected to other psychiatric disorders and to depression, too. To be fair, alcohol has also been linked to depressive disorders, and overall it seems like more research is needed—especially when you’re looking at cause and effect.

The takeaway:

If you are feeling depressed or have a family history of mental illness, speak to your doctor before taking any kind of mood enhancers like cannabis or alcohol.

Remember back when studies revealed that moderate drinking (AKA a glass of wine a day) could be good for the old ticker? Sure enough, science has shown that sipping alcohol can help to protect against heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The main theory is that alcohol works to reduce the risk of clots in the blood by dilating blood vessels and helping with blood flow. Now that’s a flow we can get with.

The takeaway:

The key term here is “moderation.” While one glass a day or every few days seems to be okay, regularly consuming alcohol could actually harm your heart health.

Here’s an interesting one. While alcohol consumption has been linked to several types of cancer, cannabis may actually slow the growth of it. Some researchers believe that the CBD in hemp could help to block the growth of a gene that spreads breast cancer, prolonging it from travelling to other areas of the body.

The takeaway:

Like almost all other cannabis-related science claims, this research is limited. However, CBD oil is starting to become more recognized for its potential health benefits —especially in relation to seizures, anxiety and insomnia.

According to one study, people who had a drink or two a day were 30 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-drinkers were. The thought is that alcohol may help cells to absorb sugar from the blood, but only when drinking in moderation.

The takeaway:

This study didn’t really take other dietary factors into consideration, and when it comes to preventing type 2 diabetes a well-balanced diet is probably a safer bet.

It’s no secret that we women lose bone mass as we age. But, according to one small study, drinking booze may actually slow down that rate of bone loss and help maintain sturdier skeletal strength over the years.

The takeaway:

Once again, moderation is key. And, if you truly are concerned about losing bone density, a lifestyle that includes calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as plenty of physical activity, is a more dependable way to maintain bone strength.

When it comes to drinking and your health, remember that moderation is key—and not just when you’re fudging your answer at the doctor’s office on the sheet that asks you how much you imbibe. Science has shown that there can be plenty of positive effects from a few drinks a week, but too many will completely erase all of those positives.

The takeaway:

Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. That can mean one beer, five fluid ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits.

Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes is bad for your lungs (among other things), but as it turns out smoking marijuana may have negative effects on your lung health too. Studies have shown that cannabis-smoking could cause inflammation in the airway, it could cause lung hyperinflation, and those who smoke it report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis than those who don’t.

The takeaway:

If you’re concerned about the long-term effects of smoking cannabis, maybe consider edibles instead.

There is still a ton of research to be done in terms of the long-term effects of cannabis consumption and what it can and can’t be used with, however there is a short list of medications that don’t mix well with weed. That list is even longer when you’re talking about alcohol though. In addition to many over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions, alcohol doesn’t play well with many sleep, antihistamines, and anti-anxiety medications. Consuming it while on these medicines could increase your likelihood of an overdose.

The takeaway:

if you take any kind of medication, research whether it’s compatible with alcohol or marijuana first and don’t be afraid to ask your pharmacist for some guidance.

According to the CDC, a fatal marijuana overdose is highly unlikely, although consuming too much of it can lead to extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and severe nausea or vomiting. Overall though overdosing on alcohol is a lot more likely. When too much alcohol enters the bloodstream too quickly it can interfere with basic life-support functions, like your breathing, heart rate and temperature control. When those things begin to shut down, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

The takeaway:

Whatever you do decide to consume, it’s always best to enjoy responsibly and in moderation.

Studies have found that both cannabis and alcohol can be addictive, although not everyone who uses one or both of them will become addicted. (Meanwhile, there is also some early evidence that CBD oil could help with such addictions.) The topic grows more complicated when you consider other factors like family histories and personalities, but the bottom line is that everyone is different.

The takeaway:

Whether you enjoy alcohol or cannabis products, just celebrate the good, be aware of the potential downfalls, and know that if you’re ever feeling like you need help there are many national and provincial resources at your disposal.