Cannabis + Alcohol
Cannabis + Alcohol: the short answerThe classic 'spins': alcohol before cannabis dramatically amplifies dizziness, nausea, and vomiting ('greening out'), and the two together impair driving far more than either alone. Rarely deadly by itself, but a common route to injuries and very bad nights.
Why it’s dangerous
Alcohol increases THC absorption and both drugs impair balance, reaction time, and judgment through different brain systems — so impairment multiplies rather than adds. Cannabis also suppresses the vomiting reflex that normally protects against alcohol poisoning, which means dangerously drunk people may keep alcohol down that their body is trying to expel.
What happens
- Sudden dizziness, sweating, and nausea — 'the spins'
- Vomiting and 'greening out': pale, shaky, miserable
- Severely impaired coordination and reaction time
- Anxiety and panic, especially in unfamiliar settings
- Suppressed vomiting reflex masking alcohol poisoning
Warning signs
- Pale, sweaty, and unable to stand without spinning
- Repeated vomiting or dry heaving
- Extreme drowsiness that is hard to rouse
What to do
- Call emergency services if someone cannot be woken or is breathing abnormally — suspect alcohol poisoning, not just 'greening out'
- Recovery position for anyone vomiting or very drowsy
- Sit or lie somewhere safe and quiet; sip water; it will pass
- If you combine them, cannabis after alcohol hits much harder — never drive, and keep amounts of both low