Marijuana in one of the most hotly-debated drugs with constant arguments taking place over whether or not it should be legalized. While some claim that it’s less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, others are deeply concerned about the long-term effects that it can have on our health
Whether you’re for or against marijuana, below are all the facts you need to know in order to make an informed decision.
It has a big impact on productivity
A recent study carried out by University College London (UCL) has found that marijuana use reduces our short-term motivation to work for money.
For the study, two groups of cannabis users were given a vapor – one containing cannabis and another, placebo. Both groups were then given the choice of carrying out a relatively easy task or a more difficult one.
The easy task paid 50p while the harder task paid between 80p and £2. Despite being presented with the opportunity to earn more money, those who were high on cannabis were still significantly less likely to choose the high-effort option. Interestingly, it was found that smoking even just a single joint had this negative effect.
It affects the body in many different ways
We all know that marijuana can affect the way we think and act, but what exactly does it do to our bodies when we smoke it?
Brain – Cannabis has a major effect on the way our brains process information. It contains at least 60 different types of chemical compounds and having too much can therefore make us feel anxious, paranoid or panicked. Continued use can of course also lead to marijuana addiction.
Heart – Just after you’ve taken your first puff, your heart rate speeds up by 20 to 50 beats per minute. This can continue for up to three hours after smoking.
Eyes – Red eyes are one of the most common and obvious signs of cannabis use. In more serious cases it can also lead to hallucinations.
Stomach – Cannabis flips a switch in the brain which is normally responsible for controlling our appetite and this is why people often get so hungry when they smoke it.
Long-term effects – Chronic cannabis users tend to have smaller gray matter volumes in the orbitofrontal cortex – this is the part of the brain linked to addiction.
It has short-term effects on our health
Aside from the initial ‘high’ that users feel, cannabis can also cause:
- Our senses to be altered
- Changes in mood
- Impaired body movement
- Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
- Impaired memory
- Panic and anxiety
- An altered sense of time
- After the initial high, it may make you feel tired or depressed
- Because marijuana raises your heart rate, it can increase the chance of heart attack
- Red and bloodshot eyes
- Increased appetite which can lead to weight gain
All of the above factors can also be used as marijuana abuse signs.
Marijuana can also have long-term effects
Marijuana side effects can of course also be longer lasting and even permanent.
- One of the most worrying long-term effects of marijuana use is how it affects brain development. It’s particularly concerning when teenagers smoke it because it can reduce thinking, memory and learning functions. It can also have an impact on how the brain builds connections between the areas that are necessary in order to carry out these functions
- Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs and frequent users can develop the same breathing problems that tobacco smokers have
- Marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies
- Regular cannabis users have a reduced resistance to common illnesses such as colds and bronchitis
- Increase of abnormally structured cells in the body
- Reduction of male sex hormones
- Heavy cannabis users often experience apathy, drowsiness and a lack of motivation
- Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness including temporary hallucinations and paranoia and it can worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia. It has also been linked to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts
- Cannabis use has also been found to lower the quality of your life. Compared to non-users, heavy marijuana users more often report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental health, poorer physical health and an increase in relationship problems
If you think that you or someone you know may be showing marijuana abuse symptoms, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma and Addiction Counselling in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help.
