Just a few days ago on youtube, I came across a fascinating YouTube video that showed a side-by-side comparison of a man being drunk under the influence of alcohol and stoned under the influence of marijuana. In this video (which I highly suggest you watch!), the man does a variety of different tests to determine whether a person can function better drunk or stoned. After doing 6 rounds of random tests such as catching a ball, putting together legos, and exercising, it was ultimately concluded that a person has just a little bit more control of function when stoned.
Watching this video made me wonder what actually happens to the brain when it is under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. After completing some research, I found that the answer to this question actually differs significantly.
Alcohol is a depressant of the CNS. That means that alcohol makes nerve cells in the brain less excited, causing them to slow down. People often think that alcohol is a “pick-me-up” experience because it causes drinkers to become more animated and less reserved. That’s because the first areas affected by small amounts of alcohol are those involved in inhibiting behaviors, which can cause an increase in animation, an increase in talkativeness, and greater sociability. But there are many indications that the brain is slowing down. A few of these effects could be altered speech, hazy thinking, slowed reaction time, dulled hearing, impaired vision, weakened muscles and foggy memory. Drinking alcohol can decrease motor function and slow reaction time. For example, when a person is drunk, he or she may not be able to stand or walk a straight line.
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Much different from the effects of alcohol, marijuana can have a completely different effect on the brain. After you inhale marijuana smoke, its chemicals zip throughout the body. THC is a very potent chemical compared to other psychoactive drugs. Once in your bloodstream, THC typically reaches the brain seconds after it is inhaled and begins to go to work.
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Marijuana users often describe the experience of smoking the drug as initially relaxing and mellow, creating a feeling of haziness and light-headedness (although those feelings may differ depending on the particular strain). The user’s eyes may dilate, causing colors to appear more intense, and other senses may be enhanced. Later, the user may have feelings of paranoia and panic. The interaction of the THC with the brain is what causes these feelings. Some common side effects of marijuana are dizziness, shallow breathing, red eyes and dilated pupils, dry mouth, increased appetite, and slowed reaction time. The effects of marijuana aren’t quite as severe of those in alcohol, which makes more sense as to why more functions could be completed high then drunk.
DISCLAIMER: I am not recommending any of these activities, just simply explaining the difference between the two and how they have different effects on the brain. 🙂
I really enjoyed reading your blog post, especially since I have previously seen that YouTube video and found it very interesting. I always assumed that “stoners” would have the better chance at completing the majority of activities effectively, but I was a little surprised by how poorly a person under the influence of alcohol responded. In no way do I think this study should justify the act of smoking marijuana, but I do think it offers a fairly accurate representation of how most people react when under the influence of either substance. Now just because the man in the video is capable of accomplishing tasks more successfully when “stoned” vs. drunk does not mean everyone else will respond similarly, but his actions are consistent with what I have read in other articles. Including the YouTube video definitely made this blog more relatable and easy to understand!