What Happens When You Mix Oxy and Weed?

The Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana contains chemicals that impact both the physical and mental state. The main psychoactive compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which triggers a temporary euphoric feeling by stimulating dopamine production. However, prolonged use can result in a decrease in dopamine levels, leading to a reduction in motivation and pleasurable sensations.[1]

For many, the effects of marijuana may include:

• Happiness
• Increased sociability
• Enhanced sensory perception
• Sedation
• Relaxation
• Lightheadedness

These effects of cannabis aren’t consistent in everyone, however. Some people experience heightened anxiety or paranoia with cannabis use, even medical cannabis, and it can have negative impacts on memory, concentration, thought processes, the perception of time and senses, and coordination.

It also has adverse physical effects, including:[2]

• Excessive coughing
• Increased appetite
• Bloodshot eyes
• Low blood pressure
  Increased heart rate

With long-term use, marijuana use can cause:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychotic issues
• Diminished intelligence
• Reduced athletic ability
• Suicidal ideation or actions
• In young users, developmental delays
• Addiction

What Are Opioid Painkillers?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include synthetic opioids like fentanyl and legal prescription pain relievers like oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.[3]

These drugs are prescribed for pain management with moderate to severe pain, though they have the side effect of creating a high that’s often sought for recreational use. Opioids are highly addictive – even when prescribed – and can quickly lead to drug abuse and dependency.

Opioid painkillers bind to and activate the opioid receptors on the cells in the brain, spinal cord, and other organs – particularly the ones responsible for pleasure and pain. They block pain signals sent from the brain to the body and flood it with dopamine, reinforcing the act of taking the drug.

In the short term, opioid painkillers can relieve pain and promote happiness and relaxation.

Other Side Effects

They also create effects like:

• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Euphoria
• Slowed breathing

When breathing is slowed significantly due to opioid use, it can cause hypoxia, a condition in which too little oxygen reaches the brain. There are short- and long-term risks with hypoxia, including permanent brain damage, coma, or death.

Opioids carry a high risk of overdose and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 80,816 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in 2021.[4]

The Dangers of Mixing Opioids and Marijuana

With the risks of overdose from opioids, marijuana has been suggested as a way to supplement opioid painkillers for analgesic effects (pain-relieving effects) or transition off of opioid painkillers for chronic pain. In one study, people who combined oxycodone and marijuana experienced an enhanced pain threshold and tolerance compared to oxycodone on its own.[5]

The goal of combining oxycodone and weed or hydrocodone and weed is to reduce the doses of opioid painkillers while getting the same pain relief, which could potentially reduce the risk of prescription opioid addiction and opioid overdoses.

Unfortunately, both marijuana and opioids can have depressant effects on the central nervous system. Combining the two can suppress the central nervous system to dangerous levels, leading to low blood pressure, decreased brain function, extreme sedation, coma, and death.

Marijuana and painkillers may be combined for recreational use as well. According to one study, 7 out of 10 teens who take prescription opioids for recreational use combine them with other drugs or alcohol, including marijuana.[6]

Using marijuana isn’t necessarily effective in reducing opioid misuse, either. According to data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, marijuana users are more than twice as likely to misuse prescription opioids and develop prescription opioid use disorder (OUD) than nonusers.[7]

Treatment for Polydrug Abuse

The use or abuse of two or more drugs simultaneously is called polydrug abuse, polysubstance abuse, or polysubstance use disorder.[8]

Though it’s common for people to combine drugs, such as taking prescription painkillers with marijuana or having a glass of wine, these are forms of polydrug use. Unsurprisingly, using more than one substance at once increases the risk of abuse and dependency.

If you or a loved one suffers from the effects of polysubstance abuse involving opioid painkillers and marijuana – or any other substance abuse – treatment can help.

Because of the highly addictive nature of opioid painkillers and the potentially life-threatening withdrawal, medical detox is often the first step to recovery. During medical detox, you can safely clear your system of opioids while medical staff monitors your condition and manages your symptoms with medication to keep you safe and comfortable.

After detox, you can undergo inpatient substance use disorder treatment and focus solely on your recovery. Generally, individual and group therapies are used with behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps to modify substance use expectations and behaviors while managing triggers and stress.

Depending on the individual circumstances, other treatments may be included, such as medication-assisted therapy (MAT), multidimensional family therapy, and couple’s therapy.