Dr. Desiree Granados, Miami-based OBGYN and cannabis expert, weighs in on how alcohol and cannabis affect women’s health, hormones, and fertility
Tis the season to kick back and relax, whether it’s out at a gathering with friends or curled up on the couch at home in your PJs. When it comes to chilling out, two substances reign supreme: alcohol and cannabis. Both can set the vibe and help you enjoy whatever you’ve got going on this time of year.
While alcohol may be the go-to in our culture, it’s not exactly body-friendly, especially for women. After all, both alcohol and cannabis affect women’s bodies differently than men’s. And while cannabis might come out on top in terms of health effects (spoiler alert: your liver agrees!), it’s still important to understand how these substances work their magic—and mischief!—on your body.
Here’s the lowdown on some of the ways alcohol and cannabis affect women specifically. Keep in mind there’s not as much research on cannabis as there is on alcohol, so these findings may change over time as science evolves.
The short-term effects of alcohol vs cannabis on the body, including immunity
Both alcohol and cannabis affect your brain, reaction time, and motor skills in the immediate minutes and hours after taking them. The way alcohol affects your body isn’t just about the hangover—it starts as soon as the first sip passes your lips, affecting your brain, nervous system, and digestive tract.
Cannabis works a bit differently in the body. Once THC enters your body, it binds to receptors in your brain and begins to influence your mood, perception, and memory. Both substances trigger the release of dopamine in your brain, making you feel happy, relaxed, giggly, hungry…the list goes on!
Both cannabis and alcohol can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Alcohol is much more likely to cause an overdose than cannabis.
Keep in mind that the effects of both substances depend quite a bit on the dose—you’re going to feel pretty different after five martinis vs one beer, and the same goes for a 1 mg microdose melt vs a 40 mg joint. Because women are generally smaller and weigh less than men, it’s even more important to consider how much you’re taking. For example, women generally have lower levels of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, leading to a slower metabolism of alcohol.
You may also feel like you’re more likely to get sick if you’ve been drinking regularly—it’s not in your head! Alcohol hurts immune function, as it is an inflammatory substance.
Interestingly, cannabis can both hurt and help immune function. Cannabis can suppress certain immune functions, which can make it harder for your body to fight off infections. But this same effect can also be beneficial for people with autoimmune disorders, as it can help calm their overactive immune system. Additionally, cannabis can also modulate (or provide an overall balancing effect) on the immune system as a whole.
How alcohol and cannabis affect women’s health, hormones, and fertility
Dr. Desiree Granados, an OBGYN in Miami who is also certified in integrative medicine and trained in cannabis medicine, explains: “While both alcohol and cannabis can affect hormonal health in both men and women, women may experience more pronounced effects due to their hormonal physiology.” Why? Namely, the hormone estrogen.
She adds, “Women have higher levels of estrogen so substances such as cannabis and alcohol that affect estrogen production or metabolism will have a more pronounced effect on their health. Chronic alcohol intake can affect estrogen and progesterone balance, which will also have a more significant effect in women than men.”
Both alcohol and cannabis can affect your hormones, which can then affect your menstrual cycle and even your fertility. A 2021 study in the Journal of Human Reproduction found that the more drinks a woman consumed, the longer it took her to conceive. That’s in line with an earlier study that also concluded that women with a higher consumption of alcohol take longer to get pregnant. Alcohol use is associated with irregularities in the overall menstrual cycle and with ovulation, specifically.
Cannabis can also delay or prevent ovulation. Dr. Granados clarifies, “Some studies have found that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can suppress the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is crucial for ovulation.” Cannabis can also have some positive affects on menstrual and other gynecological pain, though, although more research is needed.
There’s also your own bioindividuality to consider, says Dr. Granados: “For example, some women find relief from menstrual pain or PMS when using cannabis while others may experience unwanted changes in their menstrual cycle. Cannabis interacts with hormones in complex ways, and its effects can vary significantly depending on the strain, dosage, and a woman’s individual physiology.”
In terms of your overall health, alcohol is linked to more long-term health problems, like cancer, stroke, and other conditions. Even consuming less than one drink a day can increase your risk of breast cancer by 5%. Cannabis, by contrast, is more often linked to chronic issues or diseases when it is smoked rather than when it is vaped or consumed via edibles like gummies, melts, or tinctures.
We know, we know—this is serious stuff. But there’s no reason to stress as you consider your choices. As with any mind-altering substance, the more you use it, the more effect it will have on your overall health. If you’re a two-glasses-of-wine-every-night kind of girl, the long-term effects of alcohol will be greater than if you imbibe a couple of times a month at a party.
The same goes for cannabis—smoking or taking high-dose edibles regularly can impact you significantly, while light or occasional use is probably not as big a deal for your body. Microdosing is generally safer and can even be beneficial for your brain, but again, it’s key to always consider your dose, how your body feels, and how often you’re taking it.
However you choose to relax this holiday season, make sure you balance your intake of alcohol and cannabis with healthy lifestyle practices, says Dr. Granados: “A balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and strong social connections is key for overall well-being.” Have fun!