As cannabis use has become widespread in both adolescents and adults, it is more important than ever to examine the potential side effects caused by this substance.
In this article, we will explore the history behind the cannabis plant, the various effects that the use of this substance has on the mind and body and whether young people are more likely to be affected by cannabis use than adults.
Cannabis refers to a group of psychoactive plants that are native to Central and South Asia, the recreational and medical use of which has spread throughout the world.
When dried, these plants can be smoked, vaped, eaten or applied topically and may cause you to feel relaxed and euphoric.
Some people find that using cannabis increases feelings of anxiety, depression and paranoia and may even trigger serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.
Cannabis is made up of a large number of compounds, known as cannabinoids. There are over 120 cannabinoids present within this substance, with the best-known being cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Historically cannabis use has been illegal in most parts of the world, but in recent years it has become more socially acceptable.
Many countries have now legalised the use of cannabis for recreational and medical purposes, although the UK still classifies it as a Class B illegal substance.
Used as herbal medicine in Asia for at least 500BC, cannabis was not always cultivated for its psychoactive properties. In fact, the levels of THC in early cannabis plants were likely extremely low.
You may also know cannabis under its various names, most commonly as marijuana, dope, weed, grass, skunk or pot.
In recent years cannabis has been promoted as a form of ‘wonder-drug’ capable of all kinds of medical marvels, including reduced pain and inflammation as well as a potential treatment for those who suffer from seizures.
While these supposed benefits may not always be scientifically proven, many studies have been conducted showing the various effects of cannabis on the mind and body.
These include an increased risk of cancer, heart attack and even physical changes in the brain, all of which are explored in more detail below.
It’s not just tobacco smoke that can irritate and inflame your lungs – cannabis smoke has the same effect, particularly as it is often inhaled deeper and held for longer in the lungs than tobacco smoke.
If you smoke cannabis on a regular basis you may find yourself coughing more frequently and expelling mucus from your lungs, as well as struggling to breathe when exerting yourself or exercising.
Regular cannabis use can also leave your lungs weakened and inflamed due to constant exposure to smoke.
It is more important now than ever to keep your lungs healthy to give your body a greater chance of fighting off infection and illness, and smoking cannabis can leave you more prone to infection and serious respiratory illnesses.
A common stereotype surrounding cannabis use is an increased appetite, often referred to as the ‘munchies.’
This increase in appetite is thought to be caused by various cannabinoids present in cannabis, which interact with certain areas of the brain and immune system to stimulate hunger signals. [1]
Many people may find that they feel hungrier than usual after smoking or vaping cannabis, causing them to reach for additional food to satisfy their cravings.
If this food is high in calories or of a greater volume than your body requires, this behaviour can potentially lead to increased weight gain which can have a detrimental effect on your health and general quality of life.
While you may when under influence of cannabis, your heart is actually working overtime as it attempts to co-exist with this substance.
Cannabis has the potential to increase your heart rate and make your heart pump harder, as well as dilate your blood vessels.
This raises your likelihood of suffering from a heart attack, and studies have found that the risk of experiencing heart problems is far greater in the hour immediately after using cannabis. [2]
If you have a family or personal history of heart disease, it is particularly recommended that you avoid cannabis use for the health reasons listed above.
It is fairly common to mix alcohol and cannabis, and many people are unaware of the risks that come with this practice as they are often attempting to create a stronger high.
However, mixing these two substances can be extremely dangerous. Alcohol can affect the way your body processes THC, resulting in a more intense high and increasing the risks that already come with drinking alcohol.
Some studies have found that people who combine alcohol and cannabis are almost twice as likely to drive under the influence or experience negative consequences such as legal or personal troubles as a result of their substance use.
Although cannabis use comes with some risks and long-term health effects, it is generally considered a relatively safe drug when compared with other substances such as heroin and cocaine.
However, some studies have found that the use of cannabis during adolescence can change the brain’s reward system.
This potentially makes the user more likely to experiment with other drugs as a way to achieve a dopamine hit or a similar form of substance-induced high. [3]
It is important to remember that these studies were conducted on rats, so a clear link with humans has not yet been established. However, the evidence does point towards cannabis being somewhat of a gateway drug into more dangerous substance use.
Did you know that cannabis use can potentially alter the structure of your brain, causing cognitive impairment that may be irreversible?
When the brains of regular cannabis users were compared to those who do not use cannabis, there appeared to be a number of areas that were affected by this substance.
The parts of the brain that regulate memory, impulse control and learning were found to be smaller and less developed in those that used cannabis on a regular basis. These changes were particularly evident in those who had used the substance from a young age. [3]
This can cause a number of problems throughout your life, such as memory loss and potential learning difficulties as well as a greater risk of developing an addiction to cannabis or other addictive substances.
Many studies have been conducted to examine the potential link between cannabis and IQ, with mixed conclusions being drawn.
While some studies found a connection between the two, others did not find sufficient evidence. One large New Zealand study found a link between cannabis use as a teenager and a lower IQ, with between 6 and 8 IQ points lost as a result of using this substance. [3]
This may be due to the increasingly higher potency of cannabis as well as the methods used to ingest it.
Although there is no definitive link between cannabis and a loss of IQ points, it is recommended that young people and teenagers in particular should avoid using this substance while their brains are still developing.
There is a clear link between cannabis use and the development of psychosis, as evidenced by the wide range of studies confirming this connection.
People who suffer from psychosis often have trouble distinguishing between real and imagined events. They may experience hallucinations, increased paranoia and episodes of aggression and agitation.
Some studies state that someone who smokes high-strength cannabis every day could be five times more likely to develop psychosis than someone who has never used this substance. [4]
If you have a family or personal history of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, it is recommended that you avoid cannabis in any form due to the risks stated above.
If you are pregnant, using cannabis can cause harm to both yourself and your unborn baby.
Women who use cannabis during pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely, resulting in a higher likelihood of their baby being smaller and at a lower birth weight than someone who gave birth close to their expected due date.
Babies born prematurely are more likely to develop a learning disability or other conditions that can affect them throughout their lives.
They may also go through temporary withdrawal if the mother used cannabis while pregnant, which can be extremely uncomfortable and upsetting for them.
Despite many people peddling the supposed health benefits of cannabis, the truth is that this substance has the potential to cause psychological dependence in long-term users.
As cannabis can cause feelings of relaxation and happiness, some people may rely on this substance as a way to unwind from a busy day or escape from the stresses of life.
Long-term, however, the body and brain may become unable to relax without the help of cannabis and you may begin to suffer from feelings of anxiety and depression.
This may cause you to increase your dosage and begin to use it more often.
Additionally, attempting to reduce or completely stop your cannabis use can be difficult as you may begin to experience intense cravings for this substance.
Psychological addiction can be extremely hard to break, and you will likely require professional help in order to recover.
While there is limited proof that cannabis use can directly cause cancer, some studies are finding a potential link between the two.
Many people mix cannabis and tobacco on a regular basis, with the latter substance directly related to a higher risk of lung cancer as well as several other debilitating conditions.
When cannabis is smoked alone it is often inhaled more deeply than tobacco smoke and held in the lungs for longer, allowing the toxins more time to stick to the lung tissue.
Some studies also point towards a link between cannabis use and testicular cancer, but more research is needed to gain a more definitive answer.
Many people use cannabis due to medical reasons, hoping to decrease inflammation and therefore experience less pain.
However, the very function of cannabis that allows it to decrease inflammation can also severely weaken your immune system, leaving you open to contracting infections and disease.
One study found that one of the compounds of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), actively suppresses immune cells and can even kill them off. While this can help to decrease inflammation, it also lowers your immune system.
This is particularly concerning when you consider the fact that many people going through chemotherapy are often encouraged to use cannabis to manage their pain.
While this substance may temporarily alleviate their discomfort, it can also leave them vulnerable to further illness.
Evidence shows that cannabis use during adolescence can result in more long-term effects than in those who solely experiment with this substance as adults.
During the teenage years your brain is still developing, forming connections and forging pathways. In this state it is vulnerable and sensitive to external factors during this time, which is why cannabis can have such a noticeable effect on young people and teenagers. [5]
It is thought that cannabis can lower IQ, impair decision-making skills and physically stop the brain from growing and forming neural connections during this critical time.
While adults can still suffer from the detrimental effects of cannabis including heart disease and a lowered immune system, teenagers and young people may be even more affected and these effects may continue to impact them for the remainder of their lives.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204468/
[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/marijuana-and-heart-health-what-you-need-to-know
[5] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859/full
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
