Listen to the automated AI version of this article here:
Christmas is just around the corner and we know that many Kiwis like to indulge in a few drinks with friends and family over the festive season. If you’re taking medical cannabis, whether that be CBD oil or THC, you might not have considered the effects of combining alcohol with cannabis. Don’t worry, that’s where we come in!
We’ve done the research for you and gathered the things you need to know before you take a sip. Let’s get into it.
There’s a saying that goes, “Beer before grass, you’re on your a**. Grass before beer, you’re in the clear.” Recreational cannabis users may have heard this famous saying before, but what does the evidence say? How does alcohol interact with CBD and THC taken for medicinal purposes?
Cannabis & alcohol – the lowdown
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of research into the interactions between alcohol and cannabis, and much of what we do have is out-of-date or uses very high amounts of cannabis. This means that we can’t come to any definite conclusions as to the effects yet, but we can get a bit of an idea by taking the research findings with a grain of salt.
Ultimately, you need to be careful taking CBD at the same time as drinking alcohol. Early research suggests that alcohol may intensify the effects of CBD and vice versa. CBD, THC and alcohol can be depressant substances, meaning that parts of your brain are dampened to achieve the effects.
Alcohol and cannabis work on different parts of your brain, but you still might experience stronger effects of both alcohol and cannabis if you take them together.
What kind of side effects are we talking about?
When mixing CBD and alcohol, you may experience greater fatigue, less inhibition, and reduced motor and psychomotor control. This may lead to more risk of injury, poor decision making and losing track of time.
We can’t be certain as to how strong these effects are, so if you decide to drink alcohol, take it slowly and monitor your side effects before having too many cocktails.
There isn’t enough research to say whether mixing cannabis and alcohol could be dangerous so that leads us to suggest being very careful, as we can’t be sure what the outcome may be or how it could affect your health over time.
What about THC?
As for THC and alcohol, the general consensus within the recreational use circles are that alcohol consumption before cannabis can intensify the high you get which may result in “greening out” – sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and intense fatigue.
However, this is when consuming a much higher dose of THC than is used for medicinal purposes. For medicinal purposes, THC is at a low enough dosage that you won’t get the feeling of being “high,” but you will get the potential benefits of it.
Once again, we recommend going very slowly with your alcohol consumption when you’re taking medicinal THC and CBD as we aren’t sure what the side effects will be, or how they will affect your health.
From early thought and research, scientists think that THC may slow down the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream which could mean you might have delayed feelings of drunkenness. If that is the case, you may not realise how drunk you are until it’s too late or when it hits you suddenly. Remember to take your time, pace your drinks, and spread them out with water and food in between.
Everyone reacts a bit differently to medicinal cannabis and alcohol, so at the end of the day if you do decide to indulge in an alcoholic drink, take it slowly. Make sure that if you’re having a few drinks to have a designated driver and always share a ride with a sober driver or get an Uber or taxi so that you’re not tempted to get behind the wheel.
It’s important to monitor how you react to the two substances together – note down how it makes you feel so you can be aware for next time and make an educated decision.
If you have any questions or would like to chat through how you can navigate your medicinal cannabis prescription over the festive season, get in touch online, via email or call us on 0800 CBD OIL (0800 223 645). We’re always happy to help!
Want to find out how medicinal cannabis might help you on
your journey to a better life?
Book an initial consultation with one of our great doctors today
Disclaimer – medicinal cannabis and CBD oil are unapproved medicines in NZ which means that there is no conclusive evidence for their effect, apart from Sativex. Many doctors do not routinely prescribe cannabis medicines. The above article was written for general educational purposes and does not intend to suggest that medicinal cannabis can be used to treat any health condition. Please consult with your healthcare provider.
To download our free PDF and learn more about medical cannabis in NZ, click below!
Shannon Norton
BNurs
“Kia Ora! I have grown up in the beautiful, sunny Nelson and Aotearoa is my home. I completed my Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2020. I jumped straight into the DHB surgical, cardiovascular and specialist infusions unit. In this role, I was able to make special human connections as well as see a range of ailments and how best to treat them not only biomedically, but holistically too. I am extremely passionate about ensuring focus on all aspects of a person’s well being. This has led me on my journey and put me in the unique position to help others with the sacred use of medical cannabis. I believe in plant medicine and when used correctly, in combination with healthy lifestyle factors, holistic healing techniques and a balanced mind; it can change peoples lives and the trajectory of their individual health journey. Outside of work I meditate daily, and practise the art of yoga to keep my mind and body in tune. I enjoy spending time exploring natural healing techniques and am currently completing my Reiki course. I spend a lot of time connecting and staying grounded with nature and my whanau.”
“After graduating from Otago University in 2014, Dr William worked for three years in the hospital and then became a rural GP where he oversaw a wide range of patients. Most recently, Dr William has been the Clinical Director of a large Urgent Care Centre and General Practice specialising in caring for the most vulnerable. As a GP specialist, Dr William is interested in patient-centred, patient-led, medicine. Having witnessed amazing transformations in his patients using medicinal cannabis, he has decided to follow this passion to enable more to utilise the unique healing properties this ancient plant can offer. Outside of medicine I love the outdoors, gardening, listening to music, and experiencing life with my wife and 5 kids”
Dr. Grace Tong
MBChB (Auckland) FRNZCGP
“I graduated from Auckland medical school in 1997 and am still currently working as a General Practitioner of 20 years – my interest in medicinal cannabis was ignited by my patients who had dramatic relief from their symptoms. I am a NZ born and bred Chinese aka a ‘Chiwi’. I honour my parents in giving me my Chinese name that translates as “Heavenly Blessing”, which has written my life’s path and privilege to bless and serve others, especially to the broken and suffering, through physical, emotional or spiritual healing. I come from a multicultural background and enjoy sharing life with others, a good laugh, creative design and my happy place is tramping in native bush near the open sea with the tuis & fantails.”
Dr. Ximena Hunefeldt
I grew up in Peru and Germany (I’m trilingual!) which has led to my varied interests and ability to think ‘outside of the box’. My medical education was completed in Germany and during my career I have had a keen focus on drug & alcohol misuse, autoimmune diseases & ME, women’s health & hormones, as well as lifestyle & nutrition. I have been prescribing medicinal cannabis for around 4 years.
Dr. Andy Owen
DO, DC (United States)
“I graduated from medical school in Colorado (United States) in 2013 and went on to do my residency training in Rural Family Medicine through Oregon Health & Science University. I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel to Haiti, Guatemala, and Kenya providing free medical care to many underserved communities. I love the human connection we get in healthcare—I believe that being allowed to help ease someone’s suffering is a special position to be in. In my free time, I am an avid paragliding pilot and have recently expanded into paramotoring, which I’m really excited to learn! I enjoy anything outdoors—especially hiking/tramping and camping with my wife and my old dog, Moose.“
Maxine Anderson
BNurs
“I graduated from University of Auckland at the end of 2016 with a Bachelor in Nursing. I have loved nursing in the community for the past 4 years. I believe there is significant benefit in natural therapies and holistic healing for people with chronic conditions and for promoting wellbeing in general. As someone with chronic illness myself, I understand the challenges this can present in all aspects of life. I am a strong advocate for people to have access and compassionate support in using Medicinal Cannabis to alleviate their suffering. In my spare time I like to knit, connect with nature and spend time with my family and friends.”
Dr. Annie Borland
MPH, MBChB, Dip Paeds
“I graduated from the University of Auckland in 2015 and am specialising in public health medicine. I have worked across a wide range of medical specialties both in New Zealand and in the UK and am interested in how social and environmental factors influence health. I believe medicinal cannabis has great potential for improving people’s quality of life, and it is an exciting field to watch the science develop. Outside of medicine you’ll find me out hiking and identifying native birds, or in the kitchen attempting to bake the perfect sourdough.”
Please note:
Your doctor may require a consultation or follow-up before issuing any controlled drug medication.
Dr. Eileen McManus
MB, BCh, BAO, BA, MSc
“I graduated from Trinity College Medical school in Ireland in 2013 and work as a Registrar in Neurology. As a doctor my main interests are neuroimmunology, metabolic therapy and holistic/natural medicine. Outside of medicine I enjoy exercise, gardening, reading and spending time with my family.”
Lisa Peterson
BUrp, DipBA
“I love being able to support our patients through their health challenges – it’s a privilege to play a small part in their health journey. After deciding town planning wasn’t for me, my passion for the last 10 or so years has been running my own small businesses in the natural health space. In my spare time I enjoy good coffee, reading books, and binge-watching TV.”
Robyn Hewitt
DipN, PGCertHSc, PGDipHSc, MNurs
“I have been nursing for over 30 years with the majority of my career spent in Emergency Nursing. I have recently completed my Masters of Nursing. I am married with two grown up children and live in Nelson. I love tramping, trail running and mountain biking so Nelson is the perfect place to live. I am often training for some kind of event and have competed in adventure racing over the last 6 years.”
Jobelle Lara
BMLSc, NZDipBus
“I enjoy being able to take part in an industry which has the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of people. My goal in life is to help others and I want to be the person to fill that role to whoever needs it. I wholeheartedly believe that proper education and guidance on the safe use of cannabis will help people who need this medication lead a happier and healthier life. On a personal note, I enjoy cooking during my spare moments, enjoy drinking black coffee, playing with my three adorable cats and most importantly right now, trying to get myself physically fit and healthy”
Hemera Baumer Pires
“I have always had a passion for the natural world, plant-based living and helping others. My favourite way to show how delicious whole-foods can be, is by cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I love creating nutritious, allergy friendly vegan meals as I believe overall well-being can be influenced by what we consume. I have also seen first-hand the positive impact medicinal cannabis can have on such a variety of people, so am thrilled to have the opportunity to help, alongside like-minded people aid in patients’ health journeys. After spending most of my work life catering in hospitality, I have decided to focus on what I find most meaningful, my family and helping others quality of life. In my spare time I’m out fruit hunting at markets with my family.”
Shirley Mills
IIN Health Coach, NZC Personal Trainer, DipRCM
“I’ve always loved helping people with their health which makes working at The Cannabis Clinic a great fit for me. With a background in fitness and a passion for plant based eating, I have had the opportunity to work and learn from many amazing people. I love spending time outside, being active, creating delicious meals and raw treats, and enjoying time with my four adult kids.”
Ben Whitson
BSc (Nursing)
“Kia ora! I graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health sciences (nursing) in 2017 & have since been working as a Registered Nurse in a major DHB. I am someone with a range of complex autoimmune conditions. I understand first-hand how difficult it can be to live with chronic health conditions, and the implications they can have on quality of life. I believe that Medicinal Cannabis can play a significant role in helping people reclaim their health and overall sense of wellness. In my spare time, I enjoy cannabinoid research, learning Rongoā Māori, meditation, gardening (especially growing my own produce) and road trips around Aotearoa.”
Dr. James Cameron
MBChB, RNZCGP, BSc
“I grew up in England and Brazil before moving to New Zealand where I completed studies in psychology and graduated medical school from the University of Auckland. In the following years, I worked across Auckland’s three main hospitals in a range of specialities as a junior doctor and currently work as a GP in central Auckland. The healing properties of medicinal marijuana fascinate me and I believe many patients across New Zealand stand to benefit from it.”
Dr. Grace Lavelli
MBBS, BA
“After graduating from medical school in London, I worked as a doctor in the UK for a few years before making the move to New Zealand in 2019. After spending some time travelling around I eventually decided to settle in Hawke’s Bay. My main interest as a doctor lies in mental health, and after working for a few years as a psychiatry registrar, I found myself becoming increasingly drawn to a more holistic treatment approach and considering more how lifestyle factors play an important role on both our physical and mental wellbeing. Outside of life as a doctor I love reading, baking and spending time with my goats, chickens and cat!”
Dr. Clare Halford
MBChB, Dip Paeds
“Since graduating from Liverpool, UK as a doctor in 1997, I have worked in Emergency Medicine for the past 17 years. Alongside my hospital practice, I’ve developed a strong interest in nutritional and plant medicine and have also qualified as a Qigong teacher and healer. In addition, as a digital artist and writer, I absolutely love translating complex medical information into fun, illustrated, bite-sized pieces.
I consider Medicinal Cannabis to be a sacred and wonderful plant that can help people to achieve balance and relief on many levels. It gives me great satisfaction and happiness to facilitate its safe and effective use in those who need it.”
Dr. Monica MacRae
MBChB (Auckland)
“I am a Psychiatry Registrar that graduated from Auckland Medical School in 2013. I currently spend half my time working around the North Island and living on Great Barrier Island with my whanau. I have a passionate interest in the art of healing that stems from both my professional life as a doctor, but also a personal journey with a complex autoimmune condition. My own healing journey has lead me away from conventional medicine towards more holistic, natural, psychological and spiritual methods of healing. I am dedicated to doing what I can to help support others move towards a thriving, healthy life”
Dr. Mike Foster
MBBS (London)
“I trained in St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School London 55 years ago, and after five years working as a GP in a fishing village in Newfoundland, Canada, I emigrated to New Zealand in 1974 and worked as a GP in Christchurch. In 2008 I moved to Auckland for family reasons and I worked at the Holistic Medical Centre where I learned and practiced an Integrative / Holistic style of medicine. I had always been looking for alternative ways to practice Medicine and felt more comfortable integrating orthodox medicine with nutrition, stress reduction, exercise, appropriate supplements etc. For the last ten years I worked at Integrated Health Options which was mainly an Intravenous Vitamin C and chelation clinic where we looked after many cancer patients as well as patients with complex medical problems which were not easily treated by orthodox practitioners. During my time working at IHO I saw many patients who had used cannabis with remarkable benefits. I love walking in the New Zealand Bush, and sport, especially soccer and cricket, but have been forced into watching and coming to love rugby since coming to New Zealand.”
Dr. Daniela Reyes
MBChB (Otago)
“Originally from Chile with roots also from Peru, my passion for natural medicine started when I began to understand more about my heritage. I am currently training in General Practice having completed my Medical degree in Auckland in 2014. I believe plants hold unbelievable healing properties that when combined with self-healing techniques such as yoga, mediation and a nutritious diet of mostly plant-based foods, we can enter into a state of full wellbeing and happiness. In my spare time I enjoy bush walks, identifying native plants, gardening, beekeeping, learning herbal medicine and practicing yoga and meditation”
Dr. Ali Coleman
BSc, MBChB (Auckland)
“I graduated from Auckland Medical School four years ago and have since become a Registrar in Psychiatry. As a doctor my main interests lie in mental health and the holistic treatment of illness and suffering. Outside of medicine I enjoy exercise, running, yoga and spending time with my 7 year old son and our wider Whānau”
Dr. Anne Craig
BhB, MBChB, Dip Paeds, FANZCA
“I graduated from Auckland Medical School in 1998 and became a fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2006. I have practiced anaesthesia for over 20 years. I became interested in Medicinal Cannabis after witnessing how it has helped many people with chronic health conditions. When I’m not practicing medicine, I enjoy spending time with my two boys and practicing the ancient arts of yoga and meditation.”
Dr. Waseem Alzaher
BSc, MBChB (Otago)
“I have been practising medicine for the past 7 years and completed my training at Otago. I am a believer in using natural products, mindfulness and the power of a healthy lifestyle. Medicinal cannabis has a profound ability to change lives and I have seen this first hand. I thoroughly enjoy communicating with every patient in the clinic and supporting them in their journey. When not consulting here, I am busy with my wife and 2 young boys or enjoying a good workout”
