Alcohol Versus Cannabis

For years now, cannabis has been compared to alcohol in plenty of different ways. Alcohol has, of course, been less of a taboo subject and has been accepted into most societies. Weed, on the other hand, has taken a lot of time to reach both acceptance and legality.

When talking about pot, many people consider the effects they hand out to those who smoke it. Ignorance and a lack of education have led to a lot of misinformation over the past few decades. Fortunately, more and more are beginning to learn a little more.

Here, we’re going to go into a little more detail regarding both alcohol and cannabis, and the comparisons between the two. So, let’s get into it.

Firstly, What Specifically Are Alcohol And Cannabis? 

Alcohol is a substance that is comprised of at least one hydroxyl group which is bonded to an alkyl group. A small percentage of ethanol is used to make alcoholic beverages that people will then consume. Alcohol has no color and no smell – it can be described as like a fruit. There are, of course, many different types of alcohols – and each have their own properties.

Cannabis is, of course, the name given to marijuana – a chemical substance extracted from the leaves and buds of the plant. It contains substances we know as cannabinoids. These are secondary metabolites produced by the plant. You will have heard, of course, of THC and CBD many times over – these are the two main chemicals located within marijuana.

The Effects Of Each On The Brain

Each of these substances has effects on the brain and the way our minds work. Here are a few ways they differ.

Alcohol

When people drink alcohol, it goes through the blood-brain barrier. It then binds to receptors on the nerve cells. You will have likely experienced short-term memory loss when under the influence of alcohol because it directly attacks the hippocampus region of the brain. The alcohol molecules then bind to many other receptors of the brain.

Your mood is also affected due to the act that it impacts dopamine and serotonin – these are neurotransmitters that cause feelings of relaxation and pleasure. You obviously know by now that the level of impact depends on the volume of alcohol consumed and the speed at which it happens.

Cannabis

The cannabinoid chemicals that are found in cannabis will bind to many receptors in the brain. This will cause changes in how our brain works. Specifically, the THC will bind to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CBD within the plant will bind to the 5-HT1a receptor of the nerve cells. THC has a psychoactive impact on the brain and it’s the main reason behind the high we feel when we smoke it. Unfortunately, it’s also responsible for the feeling of paranoia and the hallucinations that many people go through from time to time.

The Benefits Of Each 

There are plenty of benefits in both. The CBD within cannabis can help to reduce seizure activity and has antispasmodic properties. Anyone suffering from the likes of anxiety or eating issues will feel a lot more comfortable. Alcohol also promotes a relaxed mind and atmosphere within many situations. When used in moderation, it can really improve the mental states and social confidence of those in need.

Availability 

For hundreds of years now, alcohol has been available to collect in stores – minus a few years due to prohibition laws, of course. Obviously, people are able to head to their local store and select between the likes of cheap wins and expensive wines. This is now possible in the cannabis business, too. If you want some premium weed, you could look for the likes of Tart by OUEST.

Likewise, Nuken will give you a cheaper option if you so choose. There is an array of different products on the market that we can all enjoy at our own discretion.

A Summary And Conclusion

The truth is that you can take things too far with both alcohol and cannabis if you really overdo it. Alcohol is the more accepted drug of the two, but as years fly by, we’re going to see more equality and less of a stigma attached to the latter.

Cannabis and alcohol share many similarities relating to the science behind how they work on the mind. They also share huge similarities in terms of how they can impact a human being in a positive light.