Mixing Cocaine And Marijuana: Risks And Effects

Mixing cocaine and marijuana is something people do, but it’s risky. Marijuana (also called weed) can make you feel relaxed, energized, or see things differently depending on how much you use. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that people snort, smoke, or inject. Both drugs can be addictive on their own, and using them together makes addiction more likely.

When you combine these two drugs, their effects get stronger and harder to predict. This combination can lead to serious problems you didn’t expect. The mix affects your body and mind in ways that are more dangerous than using either drug alone.

Find out more about the dangers of combining multiple drugs

Why Do People Mix Cocaine And Marijuana?

A study from BioMed Central Public Health revealed that many people combine the two drugs because the effects of one drug may work to counteract the effects of the other.

Desired effects of combining cocaine and marijuana include:

• reduced undesirable effects
• improved sleep
• better appetite
• reduced craving for crack cocaine

The study sampled 27 people aged 19 to 49 who use crack cocaine and marijuana. Many of those studied claimed to take the two drugs together in a cigarette mixing marijuana and crack cocaine. Others smoked marijuana separately either before or after the use of cocaine, depending on their desired outcome.

Additionally, one study found that when taken together, people who use cocaine and marijuana report feeling a more intense high.

Are There Risks With Mixing Cocaine With Marijuana?

Though this is a popular drug combination, there are multiple negative risks associated with taking cocaine and marijuana together. The effects of mixing these drugs can involve long-term damage, and in some cases have fatal outcomes.

Increased Risk Of Cocaine Overdose

Because cocaine is a psychoactive stimulant drug, it often comes with effects that make a person feel “wired,” erratic, restless, and anxious.

A person might smoke weed in combination with cocaine (either mixed or smoked before/after cocaine use) in order to alleviate these feelings and bring the body down to a sense of calm. But this can be very dangerous. While marijuana might mask some of the undesired effects of cocaine, the same amount of cocaine is still in the person’s system.

This can cause someone to either continue to use too much cocaine or not realize how much cocaine is in their system, leading to an overdose.

Find out more about cocaine overdose

Cardiovascular Complications From Both Drugs

Both cocaine and marijuana can have harmful effects on the body’s cardiovascular system. If they’re combined, these risks can only increase. Multiple studies published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that when taken together, cocaine and marijuana cause the heart rate to rise higher than by either drug alone.

When a single one-gram (g) marijuana cigarette was smoked and cocaine was administered intravenously 13 minutes later, blood pressure increased and plateaued at nearly 50 bpm. Extreme changes in blood pressure and heart rate can result in a heart attack.

Both substances have also been linked to a heart condition called tachycardia, which refers to a high resting heart rate of more than 100 bpm.

Tachycardia can cause complications such as:

• heart palpitations
• shortness of breath
• blood flow reduction
• reduction of oxygen, which can lead to heart attack

Suppression Of Respiratory Functions

Cocaine is a stimulant, and marijuana has both stimulant and depressant properties. This produces a mixed response in the body, creating problems especially in the central nervous system (CNS).

Mixing these substances can diminish brain activity resulting in:

• unconsciousness
• loss of breathing reflexes

Common Addiction Treatment Options

If you or someone you know is battling drug addiction, there are many treatment options available. Professional help can make a real difference in recovery.

Treatment Services Include:

• inpatient rehab programs where you stay at a facility and get 24/7 support and medical care
• outpatient programs that let you live at home while attending regular therapy sessions
• detox services to help you safely stop using drugs under medical supervision
• individual counseling to work one-on-one with a therapist on your specific needs
• group therapy where you can share experiences and get support from others in recovery
• medication-assisted treatment that uses medicines to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• aftercare programs that provide ongoing support after you complete initial treatment

Recovery is possible with the right support. You can browse treatment facilities in your area or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff