Introduction
Marijuana has been used for centuries for medicinal and recreational purposes, but recent studies have revealed some surprising side effects of marijuana that may surprise you. While marijuana has been known to have some positive effects, such as reducing pain and anxiety, it can also have some negative side effects. Studies have found that marijuana can increase the risk of certain mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical health issues, such as an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Additionally, marijuana use has been linked to an increased risk of addiction and dependence. In this article, we will explore the surprising side effects of marijuana, according to recent studies. We will also discuss the potential risks and benefits of marijuana use, so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to use marijuana.
Surprising Side Effects of Marijuana, Studies Say — Eat This Not That
Marijuana has been used for centuries for medicinal and recreational purposes, but recent studies have revealed some surprising side effects of marijuana that you may not have known about. While marijuana has been known to have some positive effects, such as reducing pain and anxiety, it can also have some negative side effects. Here are some of the surprising side effects of marijuana that you should be aware of.
1. Increased Risk of Mental Health Issues
One of the most surprising side effects of marijuana is an increased risk of mental health issues. Studies have found that people who use marijuana are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This is especially true for people who use marijuana heavily or who start using it at a young age.
2. Increased Risk of Addiction
Another surprising side effect of marijuana is an increased risk of addiction. While marijuana is not as addictive as other drugs, it can still be habit-forming. People who use marijuana heavily or who start using it at a young age are more likely to become addicted to it.
3. Increased Risk of Respiratory Problems
Marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens as tobacco smoke, so it can cause respiratory problems. People who smoke marijuana regularly are more likely to experience coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory issues.
4. Increased Risk of Cognitive Impairment
Marijuana use has been linked to cognitive impairment, including difficulty with memory, concentration, and decision-making. This is especially true for people who use marijuana heavily or who start using it at a young age.
5. Increased Risk of Accidents
Marijuana use has been linked to an increased risk of accidents, including car accidents. People who use marijuana are more likely to be involved in accidents than those who don’t use it.
Conclusion
Marijuana has some surprising side effects that you should be aware of. While marijuana can have some positive effects, it can also have some negative side effects, including an increased risk of mental health issues, addiction, respiratory problems, cognitive impairment, and accidents. If you are considering using marijuana, it is important to be aware of these potential risks.
The use of marijuana has become fairly mainstream, both as a recreational drug and for medical therapeutics. “As with nearly everything else about cannabis, how safe or dangerous it is remains hotly debated,” says Peter Grinspoon, MD. “As a primary care doctor, I have to ask myself: is cannabis safer than the alternatives I would be prescribing? For example, if I’m treating a patient for chronic pain, is cannabis safer than opiates? Medication risks must be balanced against the safety concerns of cannabis.” Here are five surprising side effects of marijuana you may not be aware of. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Studies show exposure to cannabis can alter the genetic profile of sperm. “What we have found is that the effects of cannabis use on males and their reproductive health are not completely null, in that there’s something about cannabis use that affects the genetic profile in sperm,” says Scott Kollins, Ph.D., professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University. “We don’t yet know what that means, but the fact that more and more young males of child-bearing age have legal access to cannabis is something we should be thinking about.”
While marijuana is widely used as a sleep aid, there is evidence that it can actually disrupt sleep. “At this time there still isn’t any clear evidence that cannabis is helping sleep,” says Dr. Bhanu Prakash Kolla, a sleep medicine specialist in the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “We know that when people initiate use there is some benefit in the immediate short term but there is quick tolerance to this effect. There currently is no good quality evidence to suggest that cannabis will help improve sleep quality or duration.”
RELATED: Inflammation Calming Secrets That Really Work
Some doctors believe cannabis is strongly linked to an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia. “In the past month, I have treated 6 young men — adolescents or young adults — who presented to the ED with psychosis induced by vaping high-potency cannabis,” says Wilfrid Noel Raby, PhD, MD.
“Adolescence and young adulthood are critical periods in which the use of a high-THC product can have a big effect on the structure and function of the developing brain,” says Thorsten Rudroff, PhD.
RELATED: Sure Signs You Have Hypertension, Say Physicians
There is evidence that regular use of marijuana could lead to vision impairment: “Although visual acuity is the most widely used test to assess the state of visual function, there are other metrics that have been demonstrated to be more important for certain everyday tasks, for example, driving or reading,” according to a study published in Scientific Reports. “One of these is contrast sensitivity, and our results have shown that this parameter is significantly worse after smoking cannabis.”
RELATED: How an “Unhealthy” Gut Impacts Your Health, According to Experts
“It happens from direct effects of the drug in the brain and/or direct effects of the drug on the body,” says Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D. “Cannabis can modulate neurotransmitters in parts of the brain that control anxiety and elevate your heart rate. There’s no one way to treat this. When it does happen in our lab we respond to the needs of the individual. We encourage people to get comfortable and provide them with whatever they need — whether that’s food, or water, or sometimes just to close their eyes, lie down and relax.”