What happens when THC oil and alcohol are combined? Does alcohol make THC more potent? Will combining the two accelerate the absorption of THC? Can consumers of legal age consume alcohol and legally consume THC edibles? Can alcohol extend the duration of THC’s psychotropic effects?
Blood concentrations of THC are increased by alcohol. There are several unmeasured and variable factors which include the amount of alcohol and THC consumed, the method of alcohol and THC administration, the consumer’s tolerance and medication, as well as other substances, and food. Because of the aforementioned factors, there is no “safe” alcohol consumption limit when THC is also consumed.
This paper provides information about THC oil and alcohol. Topics include the psychotropic effects of the substances, THC absorption, and commonly asked questions.
How do Alcohol and THC Oil Impact an Individual?
Both substances impact an individual’s judgment and alter perception. Alcohol and THC can impact the same physiological functions. Research suggests that a greater impact is observed when substances are consumed in combination. The CDC suggests that that a greater judgment and perception impairment is expected when THC and alcohol are consumed in combination.
This is relevant for any activity that requires concentration and/or may be dangerous.
Just because a person normally only functions at a high or drunken level doesn't mean there is any sort of connection between the two.
Is It True That Alcohol Enhances The Absorption of THC?
This is one of the more interesting points regarding the use of THC products and alcohol.
It has been shown that alcohol can increase and/or extend the period of time that THC can be detected in the blood.
One study conducted on humans, showed that alcohol and cannabis, when used in conjunction, increased and extended the peak blood level of THC.
Another study, using a controlled group, showed that alcohol enhanced and extended the cannabis "high."
The research that has been done regarding this topic, has been very specific and limiting regarding the way in which each substance is consumed.
This research cannot be generalized to the public.
So how much does alcohol increase the effects of THC?
There is no answer to this question.
How strong the effects of THC are depend on how much THC is consumed, how much alcohol is consumed, when the substances are consumed in relation to each other, how quickly the body metabolizes the substances, how tolerant the body is to the substances, how much food is in the body, what other substances are in the body, and a myriad of other factors.
As such, increasing THC's effects to to twice as strong to three times as strong is an over simplification.
THC products and alcohol: some general information.
1. Pharmacokinetic Interaction
This term describes how one substance affects the levels and/or the body’s response to another substance.
In lab settings with human subjects, researchers control various factors and allow subjects to combine alcohol and cannabis. Subjects in these studies have shown elevated blood THC levels.
2. Additive Impairment
It is important to note that the combination of alcohol and cannabis can increase the level of impairment on an individual beyond what is expected with each substance used individually.
A review of literary works on the co-use of cannabis and alcohol reported additive impairment and increased risk of financial, social and other/previous behavioral concerns.
It is more dangerous to combine these two substances as compared to using each substance individually.
What about THC Gummies?
It is important to discuss the interaction of THC and alcohol with other cannabis products beyond smoking cannabis.
Cannabis products that are ingested, such as cannabis edibles and gummies, do not act the same as inhaled products.
The body metabolizes ingested cannabis products more like a pill. This creates a longer time between consumption and the body’s response to the product.
It is generally understood that the effect of a cannabis edible may be felt 2 hours or more after consumption. The CDC states this time frame creates a window of risk where the consumer may believe they have not consumed enough cannabis and take additional doses.
It is important to understand these concepts when considering the effects of consuming alcohol and a THC edible.
Can I Drink Alcohol and Use THC Products?
There are many reasons to avoid using alcohol and THC products at the same time.
From what’s available, it appears that using alcohol and cannabis at the same time creates a greater risk of negative impacts on health and safety than using either substance alone.
It’s best not to use alcohol and cannabis at the same time if you need to do any of the following:
- Drive
- Operate Equipment
- Work and Make Decisions that Involve your Safety and Well-being of Others
- Travel
- Participate in Activities that Involve Physical Exertion
If someone is in a state of high Impairment and/or Distress as a result of using cannabis and alcohol, it is recommended that they seek medical assistance.
Does Alcohol Eliminate THC?
No.
There are many factors that impact the final chemistry of a cannabis product including the type of product and method used for its preparation.
This means that using alcohol to neutralize the effects of THC is not appropriate.
Using alcohol to eliminate the effects of THC can alter the final impact of a product and increase the risk of harm to a person using it.
What Happens If I Use THC Oil and Alcohol?
There is a potential that the person could experience all of the following symptoms:
- Diminished Mental and Physical Coordination
- Lack of Clarity in Thought and Action
- Deep Psychological Distress and Anxiety
- Nausea and Vomiting
There are negative effects associated with the use of alcohol and cannabis, and the impact of using the two together can be unpredictable.
It is important to be cautious and prudent when consuming cannabis and using alcohol.
THC and alcohol are different substances and the withdrawal from each can be different.
Withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous and is usually only a concern for chronic and heavy alcohol consumers.
It is always best to seek medical help if you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal from THC can also lead to irritability, have negative effects on sleep and appetite, and can lead to cravings.
Because each person is different, and varying levels of dependence can effect each person differently, it is best to consult a medical professional if you have concerns.
Can THC Affect Alcohol Tolerance?
Predicting how THC would affect an individual’s alcohol tolerance isn’t possible.
It is important to keep in mind that THC and alcohol can be used together to influence a person’s level of impairment.
There are conflicting data in research that examines if cannabis and alcohol are substitutes or complements of each other.
Therefore, it would not be accurate to say THC generally increases or decreases alcohol tolerance.
There are many factors that can effect a person’s individual tolerance.
THC Oil vs THC Gummies When Alcohol Is Involved
The route of administration matters.
| Factor | THC Oil | THC Gummies |
| Administration | Depends on formulation and product instructions | Oral |
| Onset | Depends on formulation and route | Generally slower than inhaled cannabis |
| Duration | Product-dependent | Can last for several hours |
| Alcohol interaction | May alter overall impairment | Can make delayed onset harder to judge |
| Main concern | Unpredictable combined effects | Delayed onset + combined impairment |
These differences are important because "THC" is not a single experience.
The same labeled amount can behave differently depending on how the product is formulated and consumed.
Does THC and Alcohol Effect Driving?
It is obvious that using THC and alcohol increases a person’s level of impairment and gives a false sense of security when operating a vehicle.
Because:
Driving under the influence of THC, alcohol or both can be dangerous.
You can't base your ability to drive on how you feel. You can't always tell when someone is driving badly.
You should use a professional driver, taxi or rideshare service.
Some People Can't Predict How They Will Feel Combining THC and Alcohol
There are many things that can change how a person feels.
- The amount of THC in a product
- Alcohol's proof or concentration
- How far apart they use the substances
- Whether they eat before drinking or using
- How much they've used or drank in the past
- What other substances they've used or taken
- Some Medications
There are a lot of things that can change how THC or Alcohol affect a person.
Some things can change a person's THC tolerance, like how often they use it.
Using them together makes it harder to judge how things affect you and increases your risk of an accident.
Using THC or alcohol doesn't necessarily make you sober.
Myths About THC and Alcohol
Myth 1: Alcohol always makes THC twice as strong
There is no universal "2×" rule.
Research has demonstrated interactions between alcohol and THC, including higher blood THC concentrations under particular experimental conditions, but the magnitude isn't a fixed number for everyone.
Myth 2: If you have a high THC tolerance, alcohol won't matter
Tolerance does not guarantee protection from interactions.
The combination can still affect coordination, judgment and reaction time.
Myth 3: THC cancels out alcohol
There is no reliable basis for assuming that cannabis makes someone sober.
A person may feel different without actually being unimpaired.
Myth 4: Edibles are less risky than smoking because they don’t contain smoke.
THC comes with risks no matter how it’s ingested. Edibles have risks such as delayed onset and users mistakingly thinking they need to eat more because the first dose hasn’t fully kicked in.
Myth 5: Intoxication from THC can be quickly counteracted by caffeine.
THC intoxication can’t be counteracted and caffeine can’t make a person safely operate a vehicle.
What should I do if I’ve consumed THC and alcohol?
If you’ve consumed both, the first thing you should do is stop putting yourself and others at risk by operating vehicles or other machinery. You shouldn’t consume more THC or alcohol. It’s a good idea to seek a safe and trusted environment. Drinking fluids can help, but it won’t immediately stop intoxication. You should call for medical help if you’re experiencing severe intoxication and symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness, and/or difficulty breathing.
FAQ
Can you consume alcohol and THC together?
Using both together increases your impairment and the safest option is to not use both.
Is it unsafe to combine THC and alcohol?
Probably. From a scientific standpoint, combining the two substances increases the chances of unpredictable effects and heightened impairment. Those effects can include anxiety, nausea, altered perception and loss of coordination.
Is it safe to add alcohol to THC drinks?
The addition of alcohol to a drink containing THC increases the impairment level. Other factors, such as the concentration of alcohol and the overall formulation of the THC drink, need to be taken into account. The combination of the two should be considered unsafe.
Do THC gummies and alcohol have a combined effect?
Yes. Alcohol can enhance the effects of THC. The combination of the two can increase impairment and alter perception. The effects of THC edibles, like gummies, can take some time to be fully noticeable. Because of the time difference in the effects of the two substances, it can be hard to gauge when impairment sets in.
Can THC and alcohol both impact the liver?
Both THC and alcohol are metabolized in different ways and have different effects on the liver. Alcohol is known to have a negative effect on the liver. THC can also impact the liver, especially if it is used heavily and for an extended period of time. THC and alcohol can both have negative impacts on the liver.
Is THC alcohol tolerance interrelated?
Not really. There is not enough research to support or refute THC's effects on alcohol tolerance. THC can impact alcohol's effects in a disparate way.
Does THC lose its potency when cooked in alcohol?
No. Cooking THC in alcohol will not remove THC from the alcohol. What effects the THC infused alcohol has and how impaired a person is, depends on how much alcohol is used in the infusion.
The Bottom Line
There’s more to THC oil and alcohol than just using the two together. There are two way alcohol can impact THC. The first is by increasing the concentration of THC in the blood. The second is by adding to the impairment level caused by THC. Because of this, it’s important to note that using THC and alcohol together is an unpredictable and unsafe combination.
If you are going to use a product that contains THC and you are going to use it for health and wellness, you should discuss this with your health care professional, especially if you are on other prescription medications, and if you have other medical conditions and/or use alcohol on a regular basis.
