The Risky Business of Regular Cannabis and Alcohol Use

The troubling realities and research on habitual cannabis and alcohol use.

• New research links cannabis usage to numerous serious physical and mental health outcomes.

• US Surgeon General called for warning labels on alcohol as a result of research linking it to several cancers.

• With these new findings, consumers can understand their risks and make choices that support their health.

Today, alcohol and cannabis usage are ubiquitous in the daily lives of many North Americans. Habitual — even daily — consumption of cannabis is accepted as normal, relatively harmless, risk-free, legal, and easily available in an increasing number of jurisdictions.

People turn to alcohol and/or cannabis for a variety of reasons, including to relax, de-stress, bond with a group, self-soothe, numb uncomfortable feelings, or take the edge off at the end of a challenging encounter or rough day.

Even those who do not use either substance have friends, colleagues, and family members who regularly consume one or both. As a result of this widespread usage, and despite increasing awareness of the harms of both substances, few of us are willing to look too closely at the mounting research on the negative impacts of alcohol and cannabis.

Uncomfortable common knowledge

Both alcohol and cannabis are associated with serious side effects and symptoms and can leave users vulnerable to dependence. Alcohol has long been acknowledged as harmful in many ways. It is linked to heart disease, stroke, liver disease, numerous cancers, and mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. It is also linked to numerous social, legal, and interpersonal issues.

Cannabis usage has undergone a shift in both legal status and perception in recent years. Vilified and propagandized for generations as the demon weed in films like Refer Madness, with strict penalties for possession and usage, it has undergone a significant image make-over, in part due to its medical use in the treatment of nausea, anxiety, sleep disorders, and other conditions, as well as its growing legalization.

On the downside, cannabis is widely known to negatively impact mental health, damage the lungs, lower the immune response in some users, and — after chronic, long-term use — result in cyclic vomiting syndrome, also known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

Disconcerting new cannabis research

Recent research has established a link between an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in younger people and other groups diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD). A January 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open determined that cannabis usage had a negative impact on brain functioning and that “cannabis use is associated with short- and long-term brain function outcomes, especially during working memory tasks.” What’s more, a 2024 study links individuals with CUD to an increased risk of head and neck cancers. Furthermore, a McGill University study linked cannabis as a contributing factor to reduced brain connectivity for young users at risk of developing psychosis.

More bad news for consumers of alcohol

An incendiary 2023 Canadian study on alcohol usage determined that even small levels of alcohol consumption are unsafe. In January of 2025, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on alcoholic beverages as a result of research linking alcohol to several cancers. What’s more, a January 2025 draft report from the US Department of Health and Human Services on the Scientific Findings of the Alcohol Intake & Health Study suggests that alcohol consumption, even in moderation, increases the health risks of cancers and other serious health impacts. A 2022 study suggests that alcohol consumption in middle age increases the risk of cognitive impairment later in life.

The risks of combined alcohol and cannabis usage

A new study links the combined use of cannabis and alcohol with increased stimulation and intoxication. While both cannabis and alcohol lead to impaired driving, a 2023 study concludes that combined alcohol and cannabis usage “is associated with more severe driving-related outcomes than either substance alone.” A 2024 study of the co-use of cannabis and alcohol among college students established a link between co-usage and a heightened risk of “substance-related harms.”

Knowledge is power

Research findings reveal mounting evidence of the risks of cannabis and alcohol for our physical and mental health. Armed with this knowledge and awareness, we can examine our habits, patterns, and levels of consumption and make choices that support our physical and mental health and well-being.

What now?

We are here to live our best lives and make healthy choices. By reflecting on our cannabis and alcohol usage and recognizing and addressing our problematic patterns and habits today, we can have a positive life-long impact on our health and happiness.

What to do if you are concerned about your alcohol or cannabis usage

Acknowledge your concerns. Acknowledging your concern is the first step to creating positive changes in your life.

Take stock of your habits and patterns. Resist the urge to minimize or normalize your concerns. Consider the potential and very real risks to your long-term health and happiness.

Try to decrease your usage. You may find that if you make the effort, you can decrease your usage on your own.

Seek help if you find you are struggling to manage your alcohol or cannabis consumption. A family doctor (GP), or a mental health clinician will be able to connect you with the resources you need.

Monica Vermani, C. Psych., - Website - Blog -