How Does Cannabis Compare to Alcohol?

Health Line

5 hours ago

Cannabis tends to come with fewer risks than alcohol, but there are a lot of factors to consider. They're unique substances that produce different effects, which makes side-by-side comparisons difficult.
We've rounded up the basic effects and risks associated with each substance to see how they measure up to each other.
Things to keep in mind
Before getting into the specifics of alcohol and cannabis, it's important to understand some of the factors that make the comparison tricky.
Lack of research
Researchers know much more about alcohol than they do about cannabis. Sure, research on the topic is ramping up a bit, but there's still a lack of large, long-term studies.
Cannabis may appear to be safer than alcohol simply because researchers aren't yet aware of certain risks.
Variety of products
There are countless cannabis products on the market and a number of consumption options, from vaping to edibles.
The way you consume cannabis can have a big impact on its short- and long-term effects. For example, smoking is rough on your lungs, but this risk doesn't apply to edibles.
Individual biology
Reactions to cannabis and alcohol differ from person to person.
For example, one person may have a very low tolerance for cannabis but be able to tolerate alcohol well. Another person might not have any issues with misusing alcohol but still find it hard to function without cannabis.
Short-term effects
The short-term effects of cannabis and alcohol differ from person to person.
Getting drunk or high can feel similar to some people, while others describe the sensations as very different. Of course, the way you feel when you're intoxicated also depends on how much of the substance you consume.
Alcohol
The feeling of intoxication is different for every person. While one person might feel relaxed while drunk, another might feel restless.
Other short-term effects include:
coordination and reflex issues
impaired cognitive skills
impaired judgment
relaxation
giddiness
drowsiness
restlessness
shorter attention span
nausea and vomiting
And, of course, there's the hangover the next day. If you do get hungover, you might experience other effects, including headaches and diarrhea.
Cannabis
The immediate effects of cannabis can vary quite a bit from person to person.
Some of the most commonly reported effects include:
altered perception of time
coordination and reflex issues
impaired cognitive skills
impaired judgment
relaxation (though it can also make others feel anxious)
giddiness
drowsiness
nausea
pain relief
dry mouth
dry, red eyes
increased hunger
Keep in mind that these effects don't include those associated with different consumption methods, such as smoking or vaping.
As for the hangover aspect, cannabis can have some lingering effects for some people, including:
headaches
drowsiness
brain fog
The verdict
While being intoxicated with cannabis feels different than being intoxicated with alcohol, the two have roughly the same effect on your cognitive abilities, reflexes, and judgment.
Both can also leave you feeling a bit worse for wear the next day, though this is more likely to happen with alcohol.
Long-term health risks
As with the short-term effects of alcohol and cannabis, the long-term effects differ from person to person.
Alcohol
When consumed heavily or over a long period of time, alcohol can have several long-term effects, including:
Liver disease: Excessive drinking can cause chronic liver disease, which can affect your body's ability to process substances and detox itself.
Pancreatitis: Alcohol misuse is a leading cause of pancreatitis, a disease of the pancreas.
Heart damage: Heavy drinking can take a toll on the cardiovascular system.
Stomach and digestive issues: In large amounts, alcohol can irritate the stomach, causing ulcers, pain, bloating, and irritation.
Central nervous system damage: This could lead to numbness and tingling sensations in the limbs.
Erectile dysfunction: Long-term alcohol use can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Infertility: Long-term or heavy alcohol use may have an impact on both male and female fertility.
Cannabis
The long-term effects of cannabis aren't quite as clear. Plus, there's the issue of varying methods of consumption.
So far, the general long-term effects associated with cannabis include:
Again, these effects don't include those associated with consumption methods. It's also important to remember that there aren't many high quality, long-term studies on cannabis and its effects.
Potential for misuse
Both alcohol and cannabis have addiction potential. It's possible to develop an emotional or physical dependence on both substances.
Alcohol
Alcohol use disorder is a relatively common condition. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 28.9 million people ages 12 and up in the United States live with it.
Signs of alcohol misuse can include:
being unable to cut down on alcohol use
having to change your schedule because of drinking and hangovers
experiencing strong cravings for alcohol
having withdrawal symptoms when you don't drink, including nausea, sweating, shaking, and headaches
getting into trouble at work or school due to your alcohol use
having arguments with loved ones due to your alcohol use
Cannabis
There's a common misconception that cannabis isn't addictive. Cannabis addiction is surprisingly common, however, according to a 2015 study.
The data suggests that 30% of those who use cannabis may have some degree of cannabis use disorder.