One area of cannabis that is not commonly discussed is its effects on mental health. So in this article, we’ll be discussing the effects of cannabis and its association with various mental health disorders.
In the United States, more than 11.8 million young adults reported using marijuana in 2018. And in 2011, there were nearly 456,000 drug related emergency department visits in the united states where marijuana use was mentioned in their medical records.
What is cannabis and what is it made out of?
Cannabis is a well known drug which is known to alter the mind and body. It is also known as pot, weed, ganja marijuana and many other terms. People either smoke cannabis through a hand rolled joint or through vapes or edibles. Cannabis is derived from a plant Cannabis Sativa which contains high amounts of THC.
THC stands for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and contains a psychoactive component that makes people feel high. The other component of cannabis is cannabidiol (CBD) which is used to reduce pain and inflammation.
How does weed affect my brain and body?
When a person smokes cannabis, THC and CBD go into the lungs into the bloodstream. Once the chemicals are in the bloodstream, it is transported throughout the body, but the after-effects of drugs are experienced at different intensities. General effects include increased appetite for food, laughter and joy, and the ability to hear, see smell, taste and feel drastically increases.
What are the effects of cannabis on the brain and personality?
Focusing on the short term effects of cannabis on the brain, cannabis creates tiredness, difficulty in remembering information, concentrating and confusion. It can also lead to anxiety, fear and reduce the ability of a person to react quickly, thus making it dangerous to drive or operate equipment.
However, the long term effects of cannabis use can be negative. The ability for the brain to remember information, concentrate, and make decisions can decrease as well as the overall IQ. These effects can be permanent even after cannabis is stopped and can be experienced differently depending on the person, especially on age.
What are the effects of cannabis on the body?
In the short term cannabis damages blood vessels, decreases blood pressure, and increases heart rate. If a person continues to smoke cannabis in the long term, they can experience problems with their lungs. This can increase their risk of bronchitis and lung infections, chronic cough or increased buildup of mucus in the throat.
How is cannabis used in Canada?
Cannabis can be used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. In Canada, 330,000 Canadians are using marijuana for medical purposes. One significant advantage of medical marijuana is that it’s safer to use than opiates and less addictive. It’s a great muscle relaxant that can help to lessen tremors in those with Parkinson disease. Cannabis can also help to manage pain in people with multiple sclerosis and also manage nausea and weight loss.
However, you can build a tolerance to medical cannabis, causing one to continuously increase dosage to relieve pain. In Canada it is legal to use which has reduced the black market network of cannabis distribution, increasing consumer safety and utilizing taxpayer money for other uses. However, recreational usage does not only have positive effects, as outlined above.
Who is most likely to smoke cannabis?
The majority of cannabis users are below the age of 44 with the highest rate of cannabis consumption being the age group of 25 to 34. The lowest rate of cannabis consumers is the group above the age of 65. But one really interesting fact is that a literature review conducted from the year 2000 to 2017 saw that the highest increase in cannabis use was observed in the older adult population 50 years or older, and specifically those 65 years or older.
Some correlates of cannabis use in the older age group were listed in the study and included being male, unmarried, having various chronic diseases and psychological stress, as well as the use of other substances such as alcohol.
Is there even a link between cannabis and these mental health illnesses?
A study looking at risk factors of psychosis development suggests that adolescents between the ages of 15 to 18 had more psychosis episodes compared to control subjects. In this case, it is important to consider the difference between causation and correlation. However, in general, adolescents should not ingest cannabis regularly as it will negatively impact the development of their brain.
THC has psychoactive effects which regulate mood and has been associated with increased anxiety symptoms. Several studies concluded that cannabis places individuals at a small risk of developing anxiety however there’s little evidence to suggest that cannabis causes anxiety directly. It’s important to educate yourself on the risks and dangers of cannabis. See a therapist or join community programs to meet people who are going through similar experiences.
