Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
05:12
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
1.7K
Behavioral phenotypes associated with cannabis and alcohol substitution
Claire L Pince1,2, Cianna J Piercey3, Vanessa T Stallsmith3
1Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. Claire.Pince@colorado.edu.
Harm Reduction Journal
|March 6, 2026
Summary
Individuals using cannabis and alcohol may substitute cannabis for alcohol if they experience less negative emotions and impulsivity. Further research is needed to understand long-term effects of this substitution behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Alcohol and cannabis co-use is prevalent in the U.S.
- Existing research on cannabis influencing alcohol consumption is mixed.
- Understanding factors influencing substitution is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore individual factors differentiating cannabis users who substitute alcohol with cannabis.
- To compare behavioral phenotypes of "substituters," "complementers," and "non-substituters."
Main Methods:
- Exploratory analysis of a within-subjects, crossover laboratory study.
- Participants completed two sessions: one with cannabis and alcohol, one with alcohol only.
- Behavioral phenotypes were compared using statistical analyses based on the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA) framework.
Main Results:
- "Substituters" showed lower negative emotionality and impulsivity compared to "non-substituters."
- Substituters had higher positive cannabis expectancies, though not statistically significant.
- No significant differences were found between "complementers" and "non-substituters."
Conclusions:
- Lower negative emotionality and impulsivity may predict cannabis substitution for alcohol.
- Cannabis substitution is a complex behavior influenced by individual psychological factors.
- Further investigation into long-term outcomes of cannabis substitution is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
1.5K
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.5K
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
1.4K
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
1.4K
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
502
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
502
01:17Drug Dependence
1.8K
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.8K
01:17Classical Conditioning in Daily Life
2.6K
Classical conditioning, a fundamental principle of associative learning, explains various phenomena observed in daily life, such as fear development, the placebo effect, taste aversion, and drug habituation. These applications demonstrate the profound impact of associative learning on human behavior and physiological responses.
John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner famously demonstrated the development of fear through classical conditioning in their experiment with Little Albert. They paired the...
John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner famously demonstrated the development of fear through classical conditioning in their experiment with Little Albert. They paired the...
2.6K