Marijuana Vs Alcohol: Which Is Safer?

Marijuana and alcohol are two of the most commonly used substances. While marijuana is more potent than it was in the 1960s, it is less toxic, less addictive, less harmful to the body, and less likely to contribute to violent or reckless behaviour than alcohol. There has never been a fatal marijuana overdose, while alcohol overdoses are known to cause death. However, marijuana is not without risks, and its effect on developing adolescent brains can be harmful. Both substances can impair thinking and memory, and it is unsafe to drive under their influence. Large-scale, long-term studies are required to fully understand the relative risks and benefits of marijuana and alcohol.

Marijuana is less toxic than alcohol and less likely to cause injury

Marijuana is widely used in a manner similar to alcohol, with many people consuming it while socialising or relaxing. However, unlike alcohol, marijuana has important health and medical benefits. For example, some people use it to alleviate arthritis, relieve migraines, or help them sleep.

Marijuana is also less toxic than alcohol. While alcohol is one of the most toxic drugs, with the CDC attributing more than 1,600 deaths per year in the US to alcohol poisoning, marijuana is one of the least toxic drugs. There has never been a fatal marijuana overdose, and the mortality risk associated with marijuana is approximately 114 times less than that of alcohol.

In addition, marijuana is less likely to cause injury. Alcohol increases the risk of injury to the consumer, with 36% of hospitalized assaults and 21% of all injuries attributable to alcohol use. On the other hand, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that lifetime marijuana use is rarely associated with emergency room visits. This is because marijuana does not increase risk-taking behaviour in the same way that alcohol does.

While both substances can impair thinking and memory, and it is not safe to drive under their influence, marijuana is generally considered safer than alcohol. However, it is important to note that the effects of both substances can vary from person to person, and heavy use of either substance can lead to the greatest risks.

Alcohol is linked to chronic diseases and a shorter lifespan

Alcohol is associated with a range of chronic diseases and has been linked to a shorter lifespan. Research has shown that long-term or regular alcohol consumption contributes to various health issues and increases the risk of an early death.

One of the well-known consequences of excessive drinking is liver disease. Alcohol misuse can lead to chronic liver disease, which affects the body's ability to process substances and detoxify itself. In addition to liver problems, heavy drinking can also cause pancreatitis, a disease of the pancreas. The impact of alcohol on the body extends beyond these organs, as it can also result in heart damage and stomach issues. The cardiovascular system can suffer from the toll of heavy drinking, and alcohol can irritate the stomach, causing ulcers, pain, bloating, and irritation. These physical ailments can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and overall health.

Alcohol's contribution to chronic diseases doesn't end there. Research has also linked alcohol consumption to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. A study by Ghasemiesfe et al. (2019) investigated the association between marijuana use and cancer risk, and while the specific findings related to marijuana are unclear, alcohol's link to cancer is well-established.

The impact of alcohol on health is not limited to physical ailments but also extends to cognitive abilities and memory. Alcohol impairs thinking and coordination, and heavy drinking can lead to blackouts, where individuals forget what happened during their drinking episode. This impairment in memory formation can be concerning and disruptive to daily life.

In contrast to alcohol, marijuana is often viewed as a safer alternative, with 64% of Americans believing that regular alcohol use is more harmful to health than regular marijuana use. Marijuana is considered to be less toxic, less addictive, and less harmful to the body. It is also associated with important health and medical benefits, which has led to its increasing use for medical and therapeutic purposes.

While marijuana use may carry its own risks and uncertainties, the available evidence suggests that alcohol is linked to a higher likelihood of chronic diseases and a shorter lifespan. The impact of alcohol on various organs, the potential for addiction, and the cognitive impairments it causes contribute to its status as a significant contributor to health issues and premature death.

Marijuana is less addictive than alcohol

Alcohol is associated with various short-term and long-term risks. Short-term risks include motor vehicle accidents, violence, overdose, and risky sexual behaviours. Long-term alcohol use contributes to chronic diseases and a shorter lifespan. It directly impacts the brain and body and impairs thinking and coordination. Binge drinking can also lead to memory issues and is linked to about half of the nearly 88,000 alcohol-related overdose deaths each year.

On the other hand, marijuana has important health and medical benefits. Its legalization has allowed more people to access it for personal and medical reasons. The cannabis industry's beverage sector is booming as consumers seek alternatives to alcohol. While marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug during pregnancy, there is limited research on its effects. Studies suggest a potential link between marijuana use during pregnancy and low birth weight.

Although marijuana can increase the odds of a car accident by 83%, this risk is significantly lower than alcohol, which increases the odds by over 2,200%. Additionally, marijuana is less likely to lead to dramatic incidents, such as robbing a store to fuel one's habit. However, it's important to note that marijuana use can still negatively impact various areas of a person's life, including work, school, and relationships.

Overall, while marijuana is less addictive than alcohol, it's important to recognize that both substances can impair thinking and memory and should be avoided by teens, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Alcohol impairs memory and increases the risk of a blackout

Alcohol is well known to impair thinking and coordination, but it also has a direct impact on our brains and bodies. Drinking too much alcohol can affect cognitive functions in multiple ways. Alcohol impairs your ability to form new memories while intoxicated. It doesn't erase memories formed before intoxication. As you drink more alcohol, the rate and length of memory loss will increase.

Heavy alcohol use can affect memory and also cause other cognitive changes. Doctors have identified several ways alcohol affects the brain and memory. People who binge drink or drink to excess regularly may experience short-term and long-term memory loss. Short-term memory loss can include forgetting events that occurred while intoxicated. Long-term heavy alcohol use causes a persistent decline in memory and cognitive skills as part of dementia.

Both shorter periods of heavy alcohol use and chronic heavy drinking can damage the hippocampus, which can affect your memory in the long term. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays a significant role in helping people form and maintain memories. It registers, stores, and retrieves information. As blood alcohol levels rise with drinking, it can interfere with the transfer of information from short-term memory to long-term storage, causing a failure to recall events that took place while drinking.

Blackouts are often associated with alcohol consumption. For many people, drinking too much alcohol too quickly, or on an empty stomach, can cause a blackout. Blackouts usually occur when a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is around 0.16% or higher. This is almost twice the legal limit for driving. A blackout involves memory loss due to alcohol or drug abuse. Blackouts can happen to anyone, regardless of age and duration of drinking.

Marijuana may not be safe during pregnancy

While marijuana may be safer than alcohol in some aspects, it is not deemed safe for use during pregnancy. Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to a baby's health and cause many serious problems, including stillbirth, preterm birth, and growth and development issues. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines advising pregnant or nursing women to avoid marijuana use due to the potential risks to themselves and their children.

Marijuana use during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight in babies. A report by Vox in 2019 highlighted that babies exposed to cannabis in utero tended to have lower birth weights. However, it was unclear if this was a direct effect of marijuana or an association with smoking, as the findings were consistent with the impact of cigarette smoking on fetuses.

The use of marijuana during pregnancy can also increase the risk of respiratory problems, schizophrenia, psychosis, and car accidents. While marijuana may be marketed as a natural remedy for morning sickness, there is no scientific evidence to support its safety for pregnant women or their babies. On the contrary, avoiding marijuana during pregnancy and breastfeeding can give babies a healthier start in life.

The effects of marijuana during pregnancy are not fully understood due to a lack of comprehensive studies. However, it is clear that marijuana use during this sensitive period can pose serious health risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to refrain from using marijuana and seek alternative, evidence-based treatments for morning sickness.

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