What’s the Harm?
It’s no secret that the public’s perception of marijuana has changed considerably over the years.
Back in 1936, a church group financed a movie then known as Tell Your Children. It warned of the devastating effects that smoking marijuana could have upon young people: Characters hallucinated, went crazy, killed themselves and killed others. Shortly after filming was completed, a produced bought the movie and released it as Reefer Madness. Today, it’s widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made.
We’ve come a very long way from hysteria like this. Indeed, some advocates speak of marijuana almost as if it were a wonder drug—fantastic benefits, no negative effects.
In this blog, we’ll look at the potential long-term effects of light marijuana use. We’ll go over recent studies, which suggest both positive and negative impacts of taking this drug.
Short-Term Effects of Marijuana Use
Before we delve into the effects of long-term use, it might be helpful to quickly review some of the short-term effects of marijuana use:
Increased Heart Rate
Research has shown that marijuana can raise your heart rate by 20-50 bpm a few minutes after you’ve inhaled it. However, heart rate tends to go back down after about 20 minutes. Still, it’s important to keep this effect in mind if you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition.
Dry Mouth
When you ingest marijuana, it activates receptors in the glands in your mouth that produce saliva. These receptors prevent saliva from forming, which leads to dry mouth.
Increased Metabolism and Appetite
Marijuana has been found to enhance users’ appetites. Some believe that this results from the effect that THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) has on the hypothalamus (i.e. the section of the brain that helps regulate hunger, thirst and sleep).
Potential Long-Term Negative Effects of Light Marijuana Use
Currently, we don’t have many definitive answers as to marijuana’s long-term effects. Researchers and health organizations stress that further studies are needed. However, studies have shown that light marijuana use can have negative effects, including:
Impaired Concentration and Attention Span
Studies conducted in 1995 and 2002 found that short-term cannibis users found it harder to concentrate and process information after not taking the drug for 24 hours. Similarly, a 2006 study found that subjects had shorter attention spans after using marijuana.
Impaired Verbal Ability
A 2008 study by researchers at the Sheffield Hallam University found that both regular and short-term cannabis users had decreased verbal ability 24 hours after taking the drug.
Psychosis
Marijuana has been found to increase the risk of psychosis in people with mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Evidence also suggests that cannabis use at young age can increase your risk of psychosis even if you aren’t genetically predisposed to it.
Marijuana and Kids
A 2011 study by researchers in the Netherlands found that marijuana can increase the risk of depression in genetically predisposed adolescents. Studies have also indicated that children can have problems relating to behavior, memory formation and problem-solving abilities if their mothers used marijuana while pregnant.
Potential Benefits of Light Marijuana Use
While light marijuana use can have some negative impacts, studies have shown numerous benefits as well:
Reduced Anxiety Levels
In 2010, the Harvard Medical School noted that lower doses of THC can help relieve anxiety. However, higher doses can actually cause anxiety and panic attacks.
Greater Control over Seizures
A 2003 Virginia Commonwealth University study found that marijuana prevented seizures in epileptic rats for approximately 10 hours.
Pain Alleviation
Marijuana use has been found to alleviate pain caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Hepatitis C treatments
- Multiple sclerosis
Reduced Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
A 2006 study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics found that marijuana can help treat Alzheimer’s. Researchers concluded that THC keeps the brain from creating amyloid plaques, which cause the disease.
Glaucoma Treatment and Prevention
Marijuana has been found to lower pressure inside the eye, making it an effective option for treating or preventing glaucoma.
Stay Informed and Seek Professional Advice
Marijuana isn’t the scourge that some propaganda will lead you to believe it is. Using it does have risks, but it can help treat a broad range of ailments in controlled doses. If you’d like to learn more about the possible long-term effects of light marijuana use, consult a doctor or health professional.
Sources
http://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4
http://www.businessinsider.com/mental-and-physical-effects-of-marijuana-2014-4
https://www.livescience.com/6232-marijuana-glaucoma.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010074853.htm
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/medical-marijuana-and-the-mind
https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037578/
Please don’t take anything you read here as medical or legal advice. If you need medical or legal advice, consult a doctor or lawyer. The articles and content that appear on this website have been written by different people and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organization.