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The public’s perception of marijuana has changed significantly in recent years. Not too long ago, marijuana use and possession were severe crimes, but today more and more states are legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana for recreational, as well as medicinal use. While federally the substance is still banned, state laws have been changing the way they view and process marijuana growth, possession, and use.
Despite the recent changes in laws and the still-standing federal ban, marijuana is one of the most popular illicit substances that people use. Because marijuana is seen by the majority of Americans as a harmless substance. Most people are not aware of the dangers of prolonged marijuana use. Although the drug is not as chemically addictive as drugs like heroin or cocaine, it still has a high potential for abuse. Furthermore, marijuana is associated with numerous, long-term health consequences and an overall decrease in life satisfaction among heavy users. The following article will explore the dangers associated with marijuana use disorder.
How does marijuana affect the user?
Before one can begin to understand the long-term consequences of marijuana use, it’s critical to know how marijuana affects the user.
Marijuana is comprised of an active chemical compound called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The human body naturally produces endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids control the production of neurotransmitters that help the brain communicate with the rest of the central nervous system. Endocannabinoids relax muscles, regulate appetite and metabolism, reduce inflammation, and protect damaged tissues.
Endocannabinoids work by attaching to ready-made receptors in the brain. The THC in cannabis – marijuana – binds to these naturally occurring endocannabinoid receptors and mimics what natural endocannabinoids do when they are activated.
What are the cognitive and emotional consequences of heavy marijuana use?
THC also affects the hippocampus in the brain, which is an area that is responsible for regulating short-term memory. Temporarily, cannabis prevents the user from being able to develop new memories and learn new things, which are some of the primary functions of the hippocampus.
A recent survey included in the Molecular Psychiatry journal found that heavy marijuana users were at-risk of developing false memories for at least a month after stopping marijuana. Similar studies have found that heavy marijuana users, and those who started smoking as teens, in particular, were more likely to experience memory issues as adults. Brain imaging scans conducted on teens who heavily used marijuana found that the teens had irregularly shaped hippocampal regions once they reached their early 20s. On memory tests, these young adults performed 18% worse on long-term memory tests than their non-smoking peers.
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that is partially responsible for mood regulation and happiness. Heavy marijuana users who begin smoking in their mid-teens possess lower levels of dopamine than non-users. Low dopamine levels can cause depressive symptoms and increase the risk of anxiety and other mental health conditions.
What is the long term physical risk associated with marijuana use?
Despite marijuana’s portrayed as being a harmless party drug, it’s still a drug. The substance can cause devastating health problems later in life if it is used heavily in youth. Smoking marijuana is similar to smoking tobacco, in that the user begins to inhale dangerous chemical compounds that can damage the lungs, as well as the heart. Heavy marijuana users are at risk of experiencing lung infections, chronic cough, and sinus congestion. Heavy marijuana users also damage their gums and teeth and are at increased risk of suffering from periodontal diseases and other dental complications.
Once THC is inhaled or ingested, the compound enters the bloodstream and moves throughout the circulatory system. The compound can increase heart rate by up to 50 beats per minute, and this effect can last for up to three hours. For people with risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, smoking or ingesting cannabis can increase their chances of having a fatal heart attack or stroke. This risk is even found in young people who otherwise do not have heart disease or a history of heart problems.
Marijuana use also has devastating effects on pregnant women. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy has been found to cause long-lasting damage to the developing child’s memory. Cannabis compounds can also be passed along to the nursing infant via breastmilk. For men who use marijuana frequently, they are at increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
Who is most at-risk of experiencing these adverse health effects?
Teenagers who start smoking marijuana and continue to use the drug frequently are the most at-risk of experiencing both mental and physical health problems associated with marijuana use. Those who begin smoking in their pre-teen years experience the most negative outcomes, even if they quit using the drug as adults. The average age of first-time use for marijuana is 16, and up to 30% of all 16-year-olds use marijuana regularly. Research shows that these teens struggle with cognitive tasks more so than their non-using peers, or peers who use marijuana infrequently. Young people who smoke marijuana occasionally and adults who sparingly use the drug typically do not experience memory or cognitive issues.
Why would someone who has been abusing marijuana for many years want to get help?
Long term marijuana use is associated with many severe, devastating health outcomes for heavy users. Even if someone doesn’t start smoking until they are an adult, they are still putting a harmful substance into their body. Smoking marijuana is much the same as smoking tobacco, and it comes with increased risk of coronary and pulmonary complications.
Furthermore, surveyed long-term adult marijuana users report lower life satisfaction scores, problems with intimate relationships, and also lower levels of career attainment than non-using adults. Heavy marijuana use in adulthood is also positively correlated with downward socioeconomic trajectory. Adult marijuana users also struggle more with debt and cash-flow issues than their non-addicted peers.
If someone is heavily using marijuana and experiencing negative consequences from it, but can’t seem to stop, they need help. A drug abuse counselor or a rehabilitation facility can properly assist those with marijuana use disorder. Mission Harbor is here to assist you or your loved ones for any and all addictions no matter the severity. We have experience treating all ages with marijuana addiction and want to help you get the assistance you need. Call us today.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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