Xanax and Weed, Is it Safe to Mix Them?

Xanax and marijuana can reduce anxiety and produce a calming, euphoric effect when consumed separately in small dosages. They can exacerbate anxiety and induce paranoia, drowsiness, a rapid heartbeat, and irritability at larger doses. Remember that depending on tolerance, what one person perceives as a low dose may be a big dose for another. Continue reading to learn more.


By We Level Up | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: March 22, 2023

Mixing Weed And Xanax & Mixing Xanax And Weed

Although the effects of combining Xanax with cannabis have not been well studied, this combination is typically safe at modest dosages. Nonetheless, every person reacts differently, and the results of mixing substances become even more unpredictable.

Don’t freak out if you’ve previously combined the two. It’s not often a life threatening combination unless you’ve taken a lot of Xanax. Yet, it might result in certain unfavorable side effects.

What Happens When You Mix Xanax & Weed? Can You Smoke Weed On Xanax? Xanax Vs Weed

We don’t know a lot about how Xanax and weed interact because there hasn’t been much research on the two drugs together. But we know both are CNS depressants, decreasing communication between your brain and body.

Xanax and weed can reduce anxiety and produce a calming, euphoric effect when consumed separately in small dosages. They can exacerbate anxiety and induce paranoia, drowsiness, a rapid heartbeat, and irritability at larger doses.

Remember that depending on tolerance, what one person perceives as a low dose may be a big dose for another.

The combination may lessen either drug’s effects, making it simpler to overdose on Xanax.

When the two are combined, potential negative impacts include:

  • Dizziness.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Trouble concentrating.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Confusion.
  • Slowed motor coordination.
  • Impaired judgment.

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Xanax Abuse Factsheet

Xanax Abuse Overview

A potent benzodiazepine known as Xanax is frequently given to treat sleeplessness, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Long-term use of Xanax causes severe addiction and abuse since it is highly addictive. The most popular psychiatric drug prescribed in the US is Xanax.


Xanax Addiction Treatment

Xanax addiction recovery is difficult, yet some succeed every day. While treating a Xanax addiction, medical detoxification and treatment programs can be beneficial. For assistance locating a Xanax addiction treatment center near you, contact a treatment provider immediately.

Xanax Effects And Abuse

Abuse of the medication is defined as exceeding the recommended dosage or using Xanax without a prescription. Even individuals who adhere to a prescription are susceptible to Xanax addiction and abuse.

There are various methods to abuse Xanax, including:

  • Taking multiple pills
  • Injecting it
  • Snorting it
  • Taking it via blotter paper
  • Taking it with other drugs or alcohol

Because it makes the user feel peaceful and relaxed, Xanax is frequently abused. To get the desired high, some people abuse Xanax by taking it in greater amounts or combining it with other drugs or alcohol.

Xanax Abuse Statistics

Long-term use of Xanax causes severe addiction and abuse since it is highly addictive. The most popular psychiatric drug prescribed in the US is Xanax.


Emergency room visits due to the recreational abuse of Xanax more than doubled, from 57,419 in 2005 to 124,902 in 2010.

Source: NIAAA

16.7 Million

In 2020, 16.7 million prescriptions were written for Alprazolam (the generic name for Xanax).

Source: NIAAA

Prescription rates for Xanax have been climbing at a 9% rate since 2008.

Source: NIAAA


Can You Mix Xanax And Weed? Can You Mix Weed And Xanax? Weed Xanax Interactions (Xanax Weed)

Can You Mix Xanax With Weed? Using Xanax and marijuana combined has been shown to exacerbate anxiety.
Can You Mix Xanax With Weed? Using Xanax and marijuana combined has been shown to exacerbate anxiety.

Can You Smoke Weed With Xanax? Can You Lace Weed With Xanax?

People may attempt to combine Xanax and weed because of their similar effects on the nervous system and brain. It’s common to believe that combining them would be beneficial if either one already relieves your anxiety. To combine any medication or drug, whether prescribed or not, without a doctor’s clearance is never a good idea.

Using Xanax and weed combined has been shown to exacerbate anxiety. This is because marijuana and Xanax have side effects such as increased irritability, a quick heartbeat, paranoia, and anxiety when taken in large dosages. Using the two at once is essentially “doubling up,” which can have the same results.

Can You Smoke Weed And Take Xanax? Can Weed Be Laced With Xanax? Dangers of Mixing Xanax With Weed

Each reacts to substances differently, including mixes. While combining Xanax with cannabis may make some individuals feel more anxious. Like they’re having a panic attack, other people may discover that the sedative effects are amplified, which can be harmful.

When taken together, marijuana and Xanax can produce increased drowsiness, dangerously low heart and respiration rates, slurred speech, and impaired judgment.

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In addition to the potential health risks, combining marijuana and Xanax can indicate a more serious addiction issue. For instance, a person may have observed that they are calmer and have milder anxiety symptoms when they use marijuana. But perhaps after that, anxiety levels or panic episodes become more frequent. They visit a doctor for aid, who issues a Xanax prescription. They initially take medication as necessary, but eventually, it becomes a daily or weekly habit. The user may attempt to combine Xanax and weed for a bigger effect if, at some point, the Xanax starts to have less of an impact.

A substance misuse habit can form and spiral out of control very quickly. It may be a sign of developing drug addiction if you take more medication than necessary to treat your symptoms or combine Xanax with marijuana, alcohol, or other prescription prescriptions that your doctor hasn’t approved.

It’s crucial to seek assistance if you’re having trouble managing your anxiety symptoms or combining Xanax with other drugs. You can better understand the causes of addiction, get back on track with managing your anxiety symptoms, and gain more tools and resources for your mental health by speaking with a reputable mental health care expert.

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Xanax Addiction Treatment

Although addiction is a complicated disorder, it is manageable. You are not alone if you or a loved one has problems with Xanax use, and assistance is available.

Addiction to Xanax is treated on a continuum and may entail a variety of interventions that range in intensity.

Xanax addiction treatment must be personalized for each patient to address the full person’s needs, including psychological, physical, social, and occupational demands.

Although addiction is a complicated disorder, it is manageable. You are not alone if you or a loved one has problems with Xanax use, and assistance is available.
Although addiction is a complicated disorder, it is manageable. You are not alone if you or a loved one has problems with Xanax use, and assistance is available.

Xanax Detoxification

A crucial initial stage in the rehabilitation process is detoxification. It can occur in inpatient and outpatient settings and must incorporate these 3 crucial elements:

  • Evaluation and assessment.
  • Stabilization.
  • Promotion of patient readiness for treatment.

Those detoxing from CNS depressants should do it under medical supervision so they can gently go off the medication. Currently, no drugs are FDA-approved to treat sedative (like Xanax) addiction.

Inpatient Treatment

An institution that offers round-the-clock care and a secure atmosphere for treatment or inpatient therapy. Depending on the demands of each patient, inpatient treatment may last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. A few examples of inpatient treatment are:

  • Residential inpatient services, with 24-hour care by trained counselors and medical providers.
  • Medically managed intensive inpatient services, with 24-hour nursing care, daily physician care, and counseling, are available 16 hours a day.

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Xanax and Weed We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

Accepting that you may be living with a mental illness can be challenging. However, treating the presenting substance abuse case can be magnitudes easier once properly diagnosed and treated. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

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Xanax and Weed Prescription Drug Abuse Informative Video

Jen’s Addiction Recovery Testimonial

“I wanted my life back. I was a shell of a person. I wanted to be trusted, I wanted relationships back that I lost, mainly my children and family. It started innocent enough, I got into a car accident and then I got kind of sucked into the whole, you know, medication issue with the pills. And before I knew it, I was in a cloud. I was sucked in by addiction and with my mind, I kept thinking it was OK because a doctor was prescribing this for me, a doctor was giving me this, a doctor was giving me that.

So, I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. Level Up supports my family and my relationships with my family and they’ve helped me grown as a person. When I first started there, I was so intimidated and kind of scared, you know? But, they’ve taught me, they’ve kind of taught me how to come into my own. And then, you know, when I get the call at the middle of the day from my twenty-one-year-old daughter, just to say ‘I love you, Mom.’, that’s amazing.”

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