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Delta-11 is one of the most potent THC isomers to come out of the hemp movement, so it's no wonder why many people want to incorporate it into parties and social events. The question is, do Delta-11 and alcohol mingle well? Can you drink with Delta-11, or are the two best experienced separately?
Many people report using this crossfading method without experiencing any adverse effects, but there’s really no research to help us understand the possible contraindications between Delta-11 and alcohol. The answer is likely yes, you candrink with Delta-11 and it may even help you relax.
In some cases, though, it’s still not the best idea. Before you take the risk, here’s what you should know about combining the two:
Table of ContentsCombining alcohol and THC, a method frequently referred to as “crossfading,” is nothing new. After all, both substances are usually present at social events, and most people think nothing of taking a few puffs of the circulating joint while they have a drink in their hand.
In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an experienced cannabis consumer that hasn’t mixed THC and alcohol on at least one occasion. Most will agree that the effects fall somewhere in the middle of the mellow and stimulating effects of each respective substance.
In reality, however, the way that a combination of alcohol and THC will affect you depends on unique biological factors, how much you take, and the order and time frame in which you use the two substances. And although the effects of THC combined with alcohol are enjoyable for many, Delta-11 is on a totally different playing field. It’s much more potent, and the same crossfading rules don’t necessarily apply, so there are some adverse interactions to look out for. Here’s why:
Alcohol is biphasic, meaning that it is stimulating in smaller doses and sedating at larger doses. Everyone has an alcohol consumption threshold at which they will begin to “slow down” and feel tired, overly drunk, and even fatigued or sick.
Because Delta-11-THC is highly potent and incredibly euphoric or sedating, it will pair with alcohol differently at different points throughout the night. It may also take a while to kick in, so you may not experience the effects of each substance at the same time.
At first, it may be well balanced by alcohol's stimulating effects to help boost your mood and make you active. After a while, though, alcohol will start to slow you down, and the effects of Delta-11 could compound. You may start to feel pretty sedated and highly intoxicated, which isn't a great combination for socializing. For this reason, people usually have more success when combining THC with small amounts of alcohol.
We still need more research regarding the potential medicinal effects of Delta-11, but many people assume it will have effects similar to other THC products.
In other words, if it acts like other potent THC products, it may have the ability to stop nausea and vomiting just like other forms of THC. This may seem like a good thing–especially if you’re someone who regularly experiences vomiting after drinking–but it's quite the opposite.
Vomiting after consuming alcohol is one of the body's purging methods for getting rid of alcohol after over-consumption. Sometimes, vomiting is just the body's way of reducing some of the body's toxic load, but other times it could be a critical step in preventing alcohol poisoning. If you vastly over-consume alcohol (which is never recommended) but also consume THC that prevents the body from purging said alcohol, you may be putting yourself at risk of alcohol poisoning.
As you can probably imagine, that's definitely not a good thing. Of course, this typically applies only to heavy drinking, but it is something to consider when deciding whether to combine Delta-11 with alcohol.
There may also be some specific concerns to keep in mind depending on the order in which you use alcohol and Delta-11. For instance, one small 2015 study found that even small doses of alcohol can increase the absorption rate of Delta-9-THC.
In other words, drinking alcohol before THC consumption may lead to stronger effects. Because Delta-11 is already around three times more potent than traditional THC (similarly to THC-O) this could be risky business, especially for those who aren’t well acquainted with THC’s effects.
Many of the adverse side effects of Delta-11 are caused by overconsumption, meaning that the effects being even stronger could definitely end badly for some people if the dose isn’t adjusted accordingly.
There may be risk when using the two substances in the reverse order as well. A 1992 study found that consuming THC before drinking alcohol may slow the rise in blood alcohol levels, which means it may delay the feeling of drunkenness.
This is a problem that may result in over-consumption of alcohol, or it could be a recipe for an even more dangerous situation. For instance, it may make you feel like you're actually sober enough to drive when the drunkenness is actually just delayed.
Both alcohol and Delta-11 affect everyone differently, so it's hard to pinpoint the effects you may experience when combining the two. Plus, the actual effects are heavily impacted by how much of each substance you consume, and in what order you consume them. Many people are still unfamiliar with the increased potency of Delta-11, which could make it even more dangerous to combine the effects of the two substances.
Ultimately, there’s not enough evidence to say if combining Delta-11 is inherently safe or unsafe, but you should definitely use extreme caution when combining any recreational substances.
If you plan to use Delta-11-THC and alcohol at the same time, keep these precautions in mind:
Because Delta-11-THC is highly potent, it is incredibly important that you understand how to dose it correctly. Taking too much THC is the primary cause of adverse effects. You also have to adjust your dosage when taking THC with other substances in order to avoid getting too intoxicated.
The amount of Delta-11-THC that you take will be substantially lower than the amount of traditional THC products you may be used to taking. However, Delta-9 and Delta-11 do have some cross-tolerance effects, so you may have some tolerance to Delta-11 even if you have not tried it before.
When mixing Delta-11 with weed, it can get even more complicated to figure out the best dosage. If you've never experienced Delta-11-THC on its own, that is definitely something you should consider doing before taking Delta-11 with alcohol. You may want to read "How Much Delta-11 Should I Take?" to learn more.
If you’re looking to crossfade THC and alcohol, you may want to consider a milder option–Delta-8-THC. Not only does Delta-8-THC have milder effects that are only about half as potent as Delta-9-THC, but it has a milder risk profile than Delta-11.
Instead of drinking alcohol alongside your THC dose, you can also consider taking your Delta-8 dose in drink form. There are several benefits to this dosing method that may make it a great choice for social events and parties.
First, a Delta-8 beverage has an extended presence. Unlike an edible or joint rolled from Delta-8-THC flower, you can sip on a Delta-8 infused beverage all night. This makes it a promising alternative to that mixed drink you’d typically be holding in your hand.
Plus, slowly sipping Delta-8 allows for easy onset, slow rolling effects that may be exactly what you're after in a lively social situation. You just want to make sure that each beverage provides a low dose, and just like when you're drinking alcohol, keep up with how much you consume. Hard hitting effects may be a bit overwhelming in a busy setting, especially for inexperienced Delta-8 consumers.
Instead of buying a commercially produced Delta-8-THC beverage, we recommend making your own. That way you have ultimate control over your Delta-8 dose and over the flavors in the drink you'll be consuming all night. A Delta-8-THC tincture is the perfect way to make this happen. These concentrated liquid doses can be added to a soda, juice, or sparkling water to create a Delta-8 beverage that meets your taste and dosing needs. (To learn more about Delta-8 dosing, read “How Much Delta-8-THC Should I Take?”)
Many people claim that THC and alcohol have a unique symbiotic relationship in that THC may help ease the hangover that follows a night of drinking. There’s not much research to help us understand this perspective, but anecdotal reports have a clear consensus–THC can help soothe post-alcohol aches, nausea, and more.
The verdict is still out on Delta-11’s effects (although they are thought to mimic traditional THC), but it's worth noting that Delta-8-THC may help fight nausea and vomiting, soothe headaches, reduce fatigue, and stimulate appetite. All of these benefits could be useful for battling a nasty hangover. Read “Delta-8-THC Health Benefits” to learn more.
You can buy Delta-11 or (Delta-8) in stores and online in states where Delta-11-THC is legal, but shopping online gives you access to a wider variety of product types, flavors, and potencies. Our Elev8 Collection is 100% Farm Bill Compliant and made according to the industry’s highest standards.
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