Headache? Period cramps? Fever? If you’re like many Americans, you’ve probably taken a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) like ibuprofen to treat those symptoms. Since it’s an over-the-counter drug, many people don’t stop to think about how it may interact with other things they consume. You may have heard that ibuprofen and alcohol is a dangerous combination. But what about ibuprofen and weed? Can you take them together? Here’s what we know.
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Can You Mix Ibuprofen and Weed Together?
There is no known interaction between ibuprofen and weed, according to Drugs.com. However, just because there isn’t a known interaction does not mean there isn’t one.
Based on the side effects of both, it is likely that weed and ibuprofen could have some interaction.
Here are some of the side effects of ibuprofen, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Drowsiness, fatigue, and restless sleep
You may notice that many of those side effects are also side effects of weed.
Therefore, it is possible that consuming both ibuprofen and weed together could intensify these side effects.
People on Reddit also say they experience negative side effects after mixing ibuprofen and weed. They have reported:
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Trouble breathing
- Panic attack
Mixing weed and ibuprofen could also dull your high.
Giovanni Marsicano, a neuroscientist at the University of Bordeaux in France was quoted on Science.org saying, “As for people who use marijuana recreationally, taking ibuprofen as well might kill the buzz they’re looking for.”
However, there is evidence that weed and ibuprofen together could be positive.
Interestingly, there is a study done on mice that implies ibuprofen could counter memory loss caused by THC by blocking COX-2.
Science.org says, “A team led by Chu Chen, a neuroscientist at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, discovered that giving THC to mice increased the activity of COX-2. Blocking this activation alleviated the memory and learning problems triggered by THC.”
This is interesting research, and we can’t wait to hear more about the implications.
In addition, this research does not condone mixing both medications. It’s just a theory. Do not combine medication before speaking to your doctor.
Can I Take Ibuprofen If I Smoke Weed?
There is no evidence that people who consume cannabis can’t take ibuprofen.
However, there are other reasons why it may be risky to take ibuprofen according to the NHS.
Ask your doctor before taking ibuprofen if you have:
- Chickenpox
- Stomach bleeding or a hole caused by an NSAID like ibuprofen
- Heart, kidney or liver problems
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Asthma or hay fever
- Chron’s disease
Can You Smoke Cigarettes With Ibuprofen?
In addition, mixing cigarettes and ibuprofen is a no-no, according to WellRx.
They said, “Do not smoke or use tobacco products while taking this medication. Smoking while taking this medication increases the risk for stomach bleeding.”
According to a 2003 study, tobacco and weed have similarities even though they are clearly different.
“Although the active ingredients of the cannabis plant differ from those of the tobacco plant, each produces about 4000 chemicals when smoked and these are largely identical.”
Since cigarettes and weed have similarities, we can’t rule this out as a possible side effect for people who smoke weed.
Can You Drink Alcohol With Ibuprofen?
According to Drug.com, most people can get away with a glass of wine or one beer; however, moderate to heavy drinking can cause problems.
If you drink too much alcohol when taking ibuprofen, you may experience stomach or digestive tract irritation. Drugs.com also says it may cause you to develop kidney disease.
Drugs.com says, “This is because both alcohol and ibuprofen irritate the stomach and digestive tract, so combining them further increases the risk of ulcers and bleeding from the digestive tract. In addition, ibuprofen can affect the kidneys in some people with additional health issues, and alcohol, which can cause dehydration and make it hard for the kidneys to filter toxins.”
In addition, Drugs.com says mixing both alcohol and ibuprofen could result in heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Unfortunately, some people are more prone to these adverse effects than others. Drugs.com says people with high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or heart failure are at an increased risk of having adverse effects from mixing both alcohol and ibuprofen.
You may be wondering how soon you can take ibuprofen after a night of drinking. Drugs.com says to wait at least 24 hours for your body to clear the liquor from your system. In some instances, you’ll have to wait more. For example, people over 65 process alcohol slower and should, therefore, wait longer.
If you’ve already taken ibuprofen and want to know when you can go to happy hour, Drugs.com says to wait 10 hours for the medication to clear your system.
How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Smoke Weed?
Since we don’t know of any interactions between ibuprofen and weed, we don’t have a definitive answer.
However, we know how long one dose of ibuprofen takes to leave your system.
Drugs.com says, “One dose of ibuprofen provides pain relief for four to six hours. But it may take at least 10 hours for your body to completely rid your system of ibuprofen.”
Drugs.com explains that ibuprofen has a half-life of 1.9 to 2.2 hours, and it takes around 4 to 5 half-lives for your body to get rid of ibuprofen completely. Therefore, your body should clear it in about 10 hours.
But remember, more doses mean it will take your body longer to clear it.
Therefore, if you’re worried about the interaction between ibuprofen and weed, wait until your body completely clears the ibuprofen.
We should also mention that if you’re feeling ill, you may want to hold off until you feel better.
Smoking weed while sick is not usually a pleasant experience for many cannabis enthusiasts.
Takeaway
So, can you take weed and ibuprofen together? Anecdotal data shows that you may have adverse effects. However, there is not a lot of scientific evidence that confirms that. It’s usually a bad idea to mix substances. It’s best to wait until your body has cleared one substance before taking another. That is true for mixing cigarettes and alcohol with ibuprofen, too.
