While marijuana is viewed as a relatively harmless substance, its use carries various risks, especially when consumed frequently or in large quantities. The effects of marijuana impact mental, physical, and social functioning, leading to long-term complications in some instances. Cannabis, which some people call marijuana, refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa L plant.

Eating large amounts of products containing delta-8-THC has led to medical emergencies, including breathing problems5,6. There is limited research on the health effects delta-8-THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids and related compounds, including delta-10-THC, THC-O-acetate, THCV, THCP, HHC, HHC-O-acetate, HHCP, and CBN. The Cannabis sativa L plant also contains non-intoxicating cannabinoid compounds like cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis sativa L plants containing very small, non-intoxicating amounts of delta-9 THC, which are also called hemp, are mainly used for textile fiber and for their edible seed oils.

If you need more anesthesia to fall asleep because of your pot use, you’re at a higher risk of low blood pressure and a delayed wake-up after surgery. Don’t use weed within four hours of driving and 24 hours of working, especially if your job requires you to follow safety guidelines. Always stay sober when it’s important for you to be alert — for instance, when you’re around kids, caring for an aged or sick loved one, or you might get called into work. Instead of smoking, try another form, such as edibles or a tincture you put under your tongue. If you do smoke, don’t hold it in your lungs for more than a second.

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Even so, more research needs to be done, especially on marijuana’s long-term effects. Cannabis—which can also be called marijuana —is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. The research suggests that marijuana use during pregnancy increases the risk of developmental delays, attention problems, and learning disabilities in children. The effects of marijuana are diverse and impact both the body and mind.

Cannabis can be used in a number of ways.

While some states have legalized its use, regulations vary widely, with ongoing debates about its benefits and risks. Those with active heart disease, active mental health disorders or a history of substance misuse should avoid using cannabis. Use of cannabis that creates problems in everyday life, such as with work, school or home, is called cannabis use disorder. People who use cannabis regularly can have withdrawal symptoms. These may include insomnia, sweating, belly pain, anger or mood changes. Cannabis, also called weed or marijuana, may help treat nausea that can happen while receiving chemotherapy.

Also, schizophrenia, unlike psychosis, is a long-term condition. Using marijuana may raise your chances of clinical depression or worsen the symptoms of a mental health condition that you already have. Recreationally, marijuana is commonly used for its psychoactive effects, which create feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and altered sensory perception. It is smoked, vaped, or consumed in edible forms and is popular for social use and as a means of stress relief. It has also shown promise in reducing muscle spasticity in conditions like multiple sclerosis and alleviating symptoms of conditions like glaucoma and epilepsy. The cannabinoids in marijuana, particularly THC and CBD, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce therapeutic effects, such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory properties, and anxiety reduction.

  • Marijuana is addictive like other psychoactive substances.
  • Yes, you can overdose on marijuana, but it is extremely rare and not fatal.
  • Marijuana stays in your system for anywhere between 24 hours and 90 days, depending on the frequency of use, metabolism, and type of drug test, according to Healthline in “How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?
  • People who are pregnant may have changes in heart rate or blood pressure due to marijuana use.

Because of this, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products. If you want to learn more about the potential medical uses of marijuana or are concerned you have marijuana use disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. How it affects you will depend on a lot of different factors, including your age, the amount and type you use, and any other medications or drugs you take. More research about weed’s benefits and risks is needed. But so far, it’s clear that you should avoid all forms of it, including CBD products, if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing.

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It can be inhaled, taken by mouth as an edible or tincture, placed on the skin, or applied in a skin patch, also called transdermal. Cannabis use disorder can be diagnosed as mild (when a person has two or three of these symptoms), moderate (four or five of these symptoms), or severe (six or more of these symptoms). The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open.

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The effects of marijuana include both short-term and long-term consequences. Users experience euphoria, altered perception, impaired memory, and coordination issues. Chronic use leads to respiratory problems, cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and increased heart risks. The severity of these effects depends on factors like dosage, frequency, and individual biology.

The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the resin (cannabin) marijuana detox info in the flowering tops of the female. Hashish, a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the United States. Scientifically, there are many unknowns regarding marijuana. Researchers are still studying the long-term and short-term effects of this substance.

Scientists and healthcare providers can’t state any general benefits of marijuana with certainty. This is because there isn’t enough research yet about the medical benefits of the substance, especially long-term effects. In addition, marijuana tends to affect different people in many different ways. Like the possible risk of chronic conditions such as schizophrenia, the chances of cannabis use disorder are greater the younger you start marijuana and the more heavily you use it.

Once there, it connects to tiny receptors on your nerve cells called cannabinoid receptors. You can think of these receptors like bouncers at a club, monitoring what goes in and out of your cells. They help control various functions, such as hunger, memory, and alertness, and make adjustments in real time to keep your body running smoothly. THC bypasses this system, just like someone slipping past a bouncer at a club. THC and CBD are just two types of cannabinoids in weed.

Marijuana is a mind-alerting substance that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. It has several short-term and long-term effects, many of which scientists are still studying. Even your dentist should know if you sometimes get high. That way, they can monitor you more closely for complications such as gum disease and head and neck cancer, which are linked to cannabis use. Regular marijuana use may cause you to have more pain after surgery. This could cause you to rely more on opioids to ease the pain.

  • Cannabis use has been linked to certain mental health conditions.
  • Regular marijuana use for many years can put you at risk for this condition.
  • However, some states have legalized it for medicinal and recreational purposes.
  • In Uruguay, President Jose Mujica signed legislation to legalize recreational cannabis in December 2013, making Uruguay the first country in the modern era to legalize cannabis.

However, not all instances of marijuana use cause hallucinogen-like effects. The price or street value of cannabis varies widely depending on geographic area and potency.297 Prices and overall markets have also varied considerably over time.

It’s a myth that the longer you hold it in your lungs, the higher you’ll get. No federal standards exist for the cannabis industry, but you have a better chance of knowing what you’re getting if you buy from a dispensary instead of off the street (which is still illegal). If you or your partner are trying to have a baby, doctors suggest that you both stop using marijuana. Some research suggests that it could affect both male and female fertility, but much more research needs to be done.

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