Americans are drinking less alcohol. Many people who are passing on booze are now turning to cannabis as more states legalize the plant.
Whether you are looking to lose the beer belly or cut down on sugar, cannabis has been a welcome alternative for people looking to cut out some of the unwanted side effects of alcohol use. Here are a few reasons people might trade their wine glasses for joints.
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Editor’s Note: The following article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.
Weight loss
Alcoholic drinks and liquor itself contains a fair share of empty calories. This term refers to foods that have calories but provide no nutritional value. Boozy beverages may also cause weight gain because alcohol disrupts the metabolism, can alter hormones, and stimulates appetite. While cannabis products like hemp THC drinks and gummies have calories, cannabis does not impact the metabolism like alcoholic drinks do. Smoking cannabis or eating one gummy could be a lot less damaging to a weight loss journey than drinking three to six beers.
For some, cannabis products provide that unique sense of celebration and reward at the end of the day, without all the bloating and calorie intake involved in drinking. However, just using cannabis is certainly not a fast track to weight loss. If you are trying to lose weight, you will want to add some additional strategies like exercise and healthy eating to your routine.
Sleep better
While alcohol might put people to bed, research shows it typically disrupts sleep patterns leading to less restful slumber than a sober night. The added sugar in mixed drinks and other cocktails may also deter rest.
Cannabis has been known to help promote sleep when used appropriately. There is a lot of space for more research on the topic, but anecdotal data indicates it is worth researching. There are dozens of cannabis sleep products on the state-regulated and hemp markets that want to help people get good rest every night. They just need to find the right one first.
Product variety
Most people drink alcohol through their mouths. There are some specialty liquor candies and a few who boof it, but there is generally one way to consume beers, wine, and liquor. With weed, the options feel somewhat endless, especially now that adult-use laws have opened the doors for brand creativity.
Cannabis products come in all shapes and sizes. There is the usual cured flower for smoking, ever-popular gummy candies, infused seltzers, and even boxed brownie mixes. When it comes to product variety, weed has booze beat.
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Plenty of people use both weed and alcohol but switch to cannabis when they need flexibility. For example, you may not be able to bring a flask to a concert, but you can certainly pop an edible before you go or hit a vape in the parking lot.
No hangover, no problems
One of the biggest pros for cutting out alcohol and making the switch to cannabis is saying goodbye to brutal hangovers. As people get older, hangovers tend to get more severe and harder to deal with. A bad hangover can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and more unpleasant experiences.
Cannabis use may also lead to some after-effects like drowsiness, brain fog, and headaches. These effects do tend to be less severe than a hangover. This could be a solid reason why people choose to switch or cut down on alcohol use.
More smiles
Alcohol is a depressant, and while a glass of wine can be calming at the end of a long day, too much can lead to more violent behavior and mood changes that impact others in negative ways. For some, cannabis products can also alter mood and even cause hallucinations but has yet to be linked to violence in the way that alcohol is.
Cannabis products tend to relax people and can even be used to help anxiety. Be aware that certain people experience panic attacks when using cannabis in excess. Like all mind-altering substances, it should always be used in moderation despite being less dangerous than alcohol.
Thinking of trading alcohol for cannabis?
Cutting down on alcohol is good for your health. Many people have used cannabis to cut back on their liquor consumption, even relying on the Cali sober lifestyle which includes sobriety aside from pot. However, there is no guarantee that strategy will help you achieve your goals. Those who struggle with addiction and related disorders should seek professional help and head to the rooms rather than solving their own issues with weed.
For those looking to make an easy lifestyle change, cannabis can help people feel calmer, less anxious, and less stressed. While many long-term effects have yet to be studied scientifically, the move is often positive, overall. If you’re looking to cut out some of the negative side effects of alcohol, switching to pot could be the right choice.
