It has become a wellness focus, but how does marijuana and alcohol impact gut health?

Its awareness has significantly increased in the last decad, becoming a popular topic in both scientific research and public consciousness. While the concept of the gut-brain axis and the importance of the gut microbiome has been studied for decades, it is only recently that the general public has become more aware of the impact of gut health on overall well-being. Here is how alcohol and cannabis affect gut health.

RELATED: What To Keep In Mind When Using Cannabis To Sleep

Alcohol consumption, particularly in excess, has long been associated with poor gut health. Alcohol can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, increase intestinal permeability (commonly known as “leaky gut”), and disturb the balance of the microbiome—the trillions of bacteria help regulate digestion, immune function, and even mood.

Heavy drinking promotes the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and reduces beneficial strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. This imbalance can trigger inflammation, digestive discomfort, and weaken the gut’s natural defenses. Chronic alcohol use has also been linked to gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Cannabis interacts with the gut through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors help regulate digestion, appetite, and immune response. Unlike alcohol, cannabis does not damage the gut lining or directly alter gut permeability in most users. In fact, some studies suggest cannabinoids like CBD and THC may have anti-inflammatory effects which could benefit conditions such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Cannabis may also indirectly support gut health by reducing stress and anxiety—two factors known to worsen digestive symptoms. However, research is still emerging. Some users report slowed digestion or appetite changes with cannabis use, and smoking cannabis can carry respiratory and cardiovascular risks that don’t directly relate to the gut but may affect overall health.

RELATED: Should Cannabis Be Part Of A Practical Wellness Routine

Both alcohol and cannabis can have different effects depending on dose, frequency, and form of consumption. Occasional moderate drinking may have limited gut impact for some individuals, while daily heavy use is clearly harmful. Similarly, cannabis edibles may influence digestion differently than smoking or vaping, and high-THC products can have stronger psychoactive effects.

When it comes to gut health, alcohol tends to be a clear disruptor, while cannabis presents a more nuanced profile. While early research shows potential benefits of cannabinoids for gut inflammation and stress-related digestive issues, more clinical studies are needed.

For individuals concerned with maintaining a healthy microbiome and digestive system, moderation and informed choices remain key.

[PRESS RELEASE] – VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 24, 2025 – LEEF Brands Inc., a premier California and New York cannabis operator, announced a private placement offering of up to 4 million units of the company for C$0.25 per unit (the “offering price”) for gross proceeds of up to C$1 million.

Each unit will consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share of the company for C$0.30 for 24 months from the closing date of the offering.

The offering is being conducted pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (the “LIFE Exemption”). Securities issued under the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.LeefBrands.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The net proceeds from the offering are anticipated to be used for general working capital purposes.

“This financing supports our momentum coming out of the first successful harvest at Salisbury Canyon Ranch and positions us to accelerate our operations in New York,” LEEF Brands CEO Micah Anderson said. “We’re focused on improving margins through vertical integration and unlocking new revenue streams as we scale production on both coasts.”

The offering is expected to close on or about Aug.10, 2025, or on such other date or dates as the company may determine. Closing of the offering is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE).

In 1984, my grandfather took his last breath and shuffled off this mortal coil after a nasty bout with cancer.

I was only 13 at the time, and probably didn’t fully understand the pain he was in.  Not just physically, but mentally, too. He always put on a brave face, but the depression he battled must have been brutal, and likely contributed to the degradation of his immune system – which was already compromised as a result of the cancer. After all, today, we know that cancer patients battling depression are at increased risk of mortality compared with non-depressed patients. Which is why researchers are always looking for new ways to help cancer patients effectively treat their depression.

One new treatment, which shows tremendous promise, comes from a psychedelic compound that many High Times readers are familiar with: psilocybin.

Mushrooms Are Medicine

Back in 1989, had you told me that the mushrooms I was about to eat could potentially help treat depression, I would’ve just shrugged my shoulders. Like most 18-year-olds, I was just looking to have some fun.

I had heard so many amazing stories about mushrooms, and I was excited to experience the magical hallucinations and a voyage into a world of magic and fascination. Indeed, my first experience with mushrooms was a positive one. Although I really had no idea just how powerful a small piece of this dried fungus would be, and how, over the years, it would serve as an important tool in battling some of my own personal mental health struggles. Make no mistake: mushrooms are medicine.

The truth is, psilocybin can be used as a potential treatment for a variety of illnesses and diseases. And in these pages, I’ll share all the wonderful ways mushrooms can heal us, mentally, emotionally and physically.

To be sure, this is not just me waxing poetic about my own experiences and random anecdotal evidence. As an investigative researcher, my analysis is always guided by science and data. And my intention is to share this science and data with you, as it pertains to the subject matter High Times is known for. This is why I’m now sharing with you a fascinating study that was recently published in the journal Cancer.

According to the results of a recent clinical trial conducted by researchers in Rockville, MD, a single dose of psilocybin, coupled with talk therapy, has the potential to relieve depression in cancer patients for up to two years.

As reported by lead author of the study, Dr. Manish Agrawal, 53.6% of the patients involved in the study demonstrated significant reduction in depression, and 50% had sustained depression reduction. As well, 46.4% of the study’s participants experienced significant reduction in anxiety with 42.9% having sustained anxiety reduction.

Here’s what Dr. Agrawal had to say about the results …

One dose of psilocybin with psychological support to treat depression has a long-term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as 2 years for a substantial portion of patients with cancer, and we’re exploring whether repeating the treatment resolves depression for more than half of the patients. If randomized testing shows similar results, this could lead to greater use of psilocybin to treat depression in patients with cancer.

If you’re a data geek like me, you can access the results of this study here.

Of course, this isn’t the first study we’ve seen where psilocybin has been used to treat depression. There’s actually been around 40 clinical trials focused on using psilocybin as a treatment for depression, and even more in pre-clinical phases.

The largest ever conducted was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2022.  It was a multicenter clinical trial led by COMPASS Pathways that spanned across 22 international sites in 10 different countries.

According to the good folks at King’s College London, which took part in the study, researchers found that a 25mg dose of psilocybin, alongside psychological support, had a significant impact in reducing symptoms of depression in participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 280 million people across the globe suffer from depression.  And about 100 million of those people suffer from TRD.  To clarify, patients that have been unable to respond to at least two antidepression treatments are considered to have TRD.  So as you can imagine, if psilocybin can prove to be an effective treatment for those suffering from depression or TRD, this could be a major mental health breakthrough.

Multiple clinical trials are still underway, and of course, we’ll keep you posted as new results are verified and published.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash