Is mixing cannabis and alcohol dangerous?
Yes. The combination amplifies effects of both substances unpredictably. Common consequences: severe nausea ("cross-fading"), circulatory collapse, heavily impaired driving. Alcohol before cannabis raises THC plasma levels; cannabis before alcohol suppresses the vomiting protective reflex.
Key facts
- THC levels +200 % after alcohol
- Cannabis suppresses protective vomiting
- 40 % of cannabis crashes: mixed
- Driving: absolutely not
Detailed answer
Studies (Downey et al., Lukas et al.) show: alcohol before cannabis raises THC blood levels by up to 200 % via accelerated absorption; cannabis first increases alcohol levels less. Combined cognitive impairment exceeds the sum of individual effects. Cannabis suppresses vomiting — risky when the protective reflex fails in alcohol poisoning. Driving is dramatically impaired even at low combined doses; ASTRA data show co-use in 40 % of cannabis-related crashes.