Marijuana is often thought of as a crime not just in the United States but across the world. The main reason is because it is illegal for recreational purposes. However, more and more people are beginning to realize that marijuana has its benefits too! The other thing about marijuana is that there are some side effects that can happen from using it. In this article you will discover 10 of the most common side effects associated with marijuana use such as paranoia, depressed mood and longer sleep.
Anxiety
Marijuana may worsen anxiety and make it worse in people with a history of anxiety disorders. The more you use marijuana, the more likely you are to have an anxiety disorder. This is true even if you don’t smoke cigarettes or cigars.
If you’re already experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, marijuana can make them worse. Marijuana can also make symptoms of certain types of anxiety disorder go away too soon when they should be treated with medication.
Some people who smoke marijuana every day for years may develop a tolerance for it and begin to crave it — which can lead to dependence on the drug. If you experience this side effect, you might want to try other methods of managing your anxiety before using marijuana again or making any changes in your therapy because these changes could lead back to addiction.
Depression
Marijuana has a rapid effect on the central nervous system, which can cause depression. This is one of the most common side effects of marijuana.
Marijuana affects the brain in a similar way as other drugs. When you smoke marijuana, it enters your lungs and travels to your brain. The THC in marijuana acts on specific receptors in the brain, causing them to send out signals that make you feel high.
When you’re high for too long, these receptors get overstimulated by THC molecules that are not being broken down by enzymes. This leads to an increase in production of chemicals called endocannabinoids (eCBs), which are similar to THC and bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout your body. These eCBs then release more stress hormones into your bloodstream, including cortisol, which can increase stress levels and lead to depression symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety and irritability.
Attention deficit disorder
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a common condition that affects brain function. People with ADD have a hard time paying attention, staying focused and taking things in. This can be a problem at school, work or home.
Marijuana may make these symptoms worse in some people. Studies show that marijuana can improve some symptoms of ADD, but it doesn’t help with all of them.
If you have ADD, it’s important to talk with your doctor about marijuana use because it can affect the way you think and feel. You may also want to talk with someone at your local advocacy group about whether marijuana could help your symptoms.
Insomnia
The most common side effect of marijuana is insomnia. This may be the result of THC, one of the main active ingredients in cannabis, or you could be experiencing a sleep disorder that just happens to be exacerbated by marijuana use.
The National Sleep Foundation estimates that up to 30 percent of people who use marijuana daily report issues with insomnia and sleep. In addition, up to 80 percent of people who take prescription medications for sleep disorders do so because they are not getting adequate restful sleep.
Memory problems
The short-term memory loss associated with marijuana use can be a problem for anyone, but it’s more of an issue for people who smoke marijuana frequently. The memory loss is often accompanied by a decline in short-term recall, which is the ability to remember information in the immediate future.
It’s not uncommon to experience some degree of memory loss after smoking marijuana, but it’s important to note that this effect can last for several days or even weeks after you’ve stopped using it.
Marijuana smokers may also be more prone to experiencing amnesia and forgetfulness as well as difficulty with decision making and problem solving due to their lack of focus and concentration.
Decreased motivation
One of the most common side effects of marijuana use is decreased motivation. The high that you feel when you smoke pot will wear off after a few hours, and you’ll find yourself feeling tired and unmotivated.
Marijuana is always present in your body, which means it affects all areas of your life. If you’re using marijuana to enhance your work performance, your ability to focus on the task at hand will be negatively affected.
If you’re under pressure to complete tasks and deadlines, marijuana may make it harder for you to get things done. You might even find yourself procrastinating or putting things off until tomorrow because of the lack of motivation caused by marijuana use.
Paranoia
Paranoia is a common side effect of marijuana use. According to the National Institutes of Health, paranoia can cause people to believe that people are following them, thinking about them or spying on their behavior. This can lead to paranoia and other mental health issues.
In addition to this, some studies have shown that marijuana users are more likely to experience anxiety. This may be due to the fact that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is similar in structure to serotonin — a neurotransmitter involved in anxiety disorders.
Inability to concentrate
Marijuana can make it difficult to concentrate, especially when it’s used by young people. The drug may also cause memory loss, which can cause people to forget things they’ve done or said.
It can be difficult for a person to drive safely after marijuana use. Marijuana slows down reflexes, which makes controlling a vehicle more difficult. This is dangerous for young drivers and those who are inebriated from marijuana use. It also causes them to be less careful when they’re driving, which increases the risk of accidents.
Marijuana users may experience anxiety and paranoia after using the drug. The high may cause paranoia that leads to thoughts of violence or murder against others or oneself. This could lead to psychotic episodes, where hallucinations occur and the user feels like he or she is not himself or herself anymore.
The high from marijuana can increase appetite, which can lead users to overeat and gain weight. Marijuana users often eat foods high in fat content and salt content, such as fried foods or fatty meats like bacon or sausage.
Short-term memory loss
One of the most common side effects of marijuana use is short-term memory loss. This happens because the brain requires time to process information and weed can slow down the process, leading to a lack of focus and concentration.
If you have trouble remembering things like appointments or what you had for dinner the night before, it might be time to cut back on your marijuana use for a while. The good news is that new research suggests that marijuana might actually help with long-term memory, so if you want to forget your troubles, try smoking before bedtime!
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Marijuana use can have short-term effects on your mental and physical health. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Dry mouth. Dry mouth is often one of the first signs that marijuana use is affecting your oral health. The dryness can lead to more frequent toothbrushing and increased gum problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which can be painful and expensive to treat.
Irritability and anxiety. Marijuana may make you feel anxious or irritable — especially if you’re using it in higher doses than recommended for medical purposes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Depression. Marijuana use increases the risk for depression by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, NIDA explains. When this happens, it’s not uncommon for people who use marijuana to start feeling sad or depressed even when they don’t have any other symptoms of depression.
Memory loss. Marijuana affects short-term memory in two ways: by impairing attention or concentration, and by depressing the hippocampus area of the brain that helps form long-term memories, according to NIDA research published in July 2016 in JAMA Psychiatry. Marijuana also affects long-term memory by causing changes.
Marijuana use is associated with an increased risk of lung problems.
Marijuana can cause respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and lung infections. Marijuana smoke contains more tar and other substances than tobacco smoke, which can cause lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Marijuana users are also at greater risk of developing cancer. The National Cancer Institute says that marijuana is likely to be carcinogenic to humans, meaning it can cause cancer in people who use it regularly or who have a family history of the disease.
Conclusion
On the short-term, the most common side effects include dizziness and distorted perception. Long-term side effects include possible permanent brain damage and addiction. When becoming more knowledgeable about marijuana, it’s important to let go of myths that it is harmless. Sure, it’s appealing to think that marijuana isn’t a dangerous drug at all, but this isn’t the case. It’s a drug nonetheless, with its own set of side effects and risks to health.