The Phenomenon of Combined Intoxication from Marijuana and Alcohol

Many people use marijuana and alcohol together for a simple reason: to enhance their high and intoxication. However, as many users of both substances can attest, combining them can lead to effects that are much more intense and sometimes unpleasant, far from the enjoyable experience they might expect. In this article, we’ll explore the phenomenon of combined intoxication—how it manifests and what to do if it becomes overwhelming for your body.

How Combined Intoxication Works

As the name suggests, combined intoxication refers to the interaction between cannabinoids and alcohol in the body, which puts a significant strain on its functioning. This state can occur whether you drink alcohol after using marijuana or vice versa—the order doesn’t matter much, as the consequences are similar in terms of physical sensations and changes in perception and thinking.

In simple terms, regardless of the sequence or dosage, the substances can interact synergistically in your body’s tissues, amplifying each other’s physiological and psychoactive effects. Alcohol, being a more “heavy” psychoactive substance physiologically, can significantly intensify the effects of marijuana, even after it’s been consumed. This is often experienced as a much stronger euphoria typical of THC. More specifically, alcohol is thought to affect blood vessels in a way that allows cannabinoids to penetrate tissues more quickly and efficiently, potentially overloading the body’s endocannabinoid receptors.

As a result, a given amount of cannabinoids can have a much stronger effect on your body’s receptors. Initially, this may feel “positive”—a stronger high—but as both substances are metabolized, the endocannabinoid system can become overloaded, similar to taking a much larger dose. Over time, the initial euphoria can quickly turn into general discomfort, including dizziness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, and extreme fatigue. In some cases, especially if you continue to consume more of both substances, these effects can appear faster and may be accompanied by symptoms of severe cannabis and alcohol intoxication, such as paranoia and aggression.

It’s also worth noting that, despite general assumptions about the effects being due to increased absorption rates of both substances, medical professionals still can’t fully explain the biological mechanisms behind this phenomenon. This is mainly because there haven’t been enough specific studies on the subject, due to global restrictions on marijuana research. However, as attitudes toward marijuana and its therapeutic uses become more relaxed, some doctors are starting to pay attention to the interaction between these two popular psychoactive substances, so we may soon have more answers.

The most detailed laboratory study of this phenomenon so far was conducted by Dr. Scott Lukas, a professor at Harvard Medical School. He ran two tests on combined marijuana and alcohol use in a lab setting, monitoring physiological and behavioral changes in volunteers. In the first test, participants drank alcohol after using marijuana. In the second, he reversed the order to compare the effects.

Because these tests used basic equipment, Dr. Lukas’s experiments couldn’t analyze the effects of combining these substances at the molecular or neural level. However, biometric analysis confirmed earlier suspicions: alcohol significantly sped up the absorption of cannabinoids into body tissues and also dilated blood vessels, which affected how quickly the psychoactive effects appeared. Tests with different subjects and varying doses showed that, as with using either substance alone, individual tolerance played a big role in the intensity of the effects. The strongest overall intoxication was seen in people who rarely used either substance, allowing them to reach extreme intoxication with minimal amounts. On the other hand, people who used marijuana more often than alcohol felt the physiological effects of alcohol more strongly, while drinkers unfamiliar with marijuana experienced a more intense psychoactive effect, sometimes leading to symptoms similar to THC overdose. Of course, with careful moderation and responsible use, negative effects were minimized, resulting in a generally pleasant experience without severe side effects or hangovers.

What to Do If You Overdo It with Marijuana and Alcohol

As mentioned earlier, a “bad trip” from combining marijuana and alcohol brings together the worst aspects of overdosing on both substances. Alcohol can make your body feel heavy and uncoordinated, with growing nausea and headaches or dizziness. Marijuana can cause overstimulation of the nervous system, leading to paranoia, aggression, fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions. However, just like with overuse of either substance alone, you can stop a wave of negative effects by taking certain steps before losing full control.

• Drink a glass of water:While science hasn’t definitively proven that increased hydration speeds up the elimination of psychoactive substances, in theory, replenishing fluids can help your body process and remove metabolites more quickly, easing the overall burden of intoxication. Water is especially helpful when drinking alcohol, as it counteracts dehydration and may help your body metabolize the remaining substances, reducing their impact on your organs and mind.
• Find a calm, cool place and relax:This advice is common for alcohol use. Alcohol is called a “hot drink” for a reason—it raises your body temperature by dilating blood vessels, which can put extra strain on your organs, especially if you’re active or in a warm environment. Combined with THC, this effect is intensified, increasing both physical and psychological discomfort, such as nausea. To cool down, simply relax and don’t panic. If you start to feel overwhelmed after combining marijuana and alcohol, it’s best to stop using both, step away from the group, and find a quiet, cool place to lie down and close your eyes. Give yourself 20–30 minutes to relax and let your body process the substances. You should start to feel at least a little better.
• Try to sleep:If you’re feeling overloaded from combining marijuana and alcohol, the best thing you can do is try to sleep. At first, closing your eyes might make the discomfort feel worse, but after a few minutes and some deep, calm breaths, your body will start to relax and adapt, processing the substances that are causing the discomfort. Soon, the sedative effects of alcohol and THC will help you drift into a deep sleep, after which the unpleasant effects should subside, leaving only a possible alcohol-related hangover.

In all these situations, it’s also helpful to have sober and understanding friends nearby who can help you get comfortable and calm you down if you experience severe stress or paranoia. Overall, the best way to avoid such intense intoxication is to be aware of the risks and keep marijuana and alcohol use separate. Even if you’re confident in your tolerance and sometimes enjoy combining the two, remember that experience doesn’t eliminate the risk of serious and unpleasant intoxication. Don’t take unnecessary risks—your comfort and health come first.

Original author: Dante Jordan