Marijuana is able to have effects on individuals due to it’s possession of the psychoactive component, THC. However, marijuana is unable to cause any fatal effects even when used in large amount. The drug is known to have effects on the psychology and physiology of humans. CBD, another component of marijuana is able to alleviate some of the effects caused by THC such as anxiety.
Pregnant women are advised to stay away from the drug. This is also the same for lactating women.
Impacts of Marijuana
Marijuana is gotten from physical stores as well as online dispensary.
Marijuana is able to cause extensive effects on humans if heavily used for an extensive period of time. It is known to have consequential effects on the physical, mental, psychological and social health of individuals who overindulge.
• Intensive smoking of marijuana has significant effects on coughing, sputum release and wheezing. It also has notable effects on symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
• It results in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This syndrome involves consistent vomiting, nausea and painful abdominal cramps. This is majorly caused by intense extensive cannabis use.
• Long term use of marijuana might increase an individual risk of cancer.
• There is predominant reduced volume of the hippocampus of the brain caused by extensive use of marijuana.
• Retrospective and prospective memory of long term cannabis users is majorly affected.
• Intensive use of marijuana is known to result in anxiety disorders and an increased risk of depression.
• Marijuana is known to aggressively increase appetite. Surprisingly, studies have shown that marijuana increases the pleasure of eating and overall interest in food.
• There are cases whereby certain microorganisms develop in marijuana. This could happen if the marijuana is not adequately dried or stored in an airtight container. Aspergillus species could cause infections in the lungs of those who smoke or ingest infected cannabis. Other microorganisms could cause aflatoxins which can be poisonous and carcinogenic. This could lead to development of cancer or an increased cancer risk. This is why any moldy cannabis must be thrown away to avoid health complications. The lungs and nasal passages are the main ends of getting fungal infections. Marijuana infected with Salmonella muenchen has been related with notable cases of Salmonellosis.
• Extensive use of marijuana plays a vital role in chronic psychosis as well as schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
• Marijuana overdose or prolonged use can cause a notable effect on the occurrence of bipolar disorders. It increases the happenings of mania symptoms.
• Extensive use of marijuana from adolescent stage to adulthood has a significant effect on suicidal behavioral pattern. It’s able to increase suicide risk due to contributing factors such as mood disorders, stress, anxiety and alcohol use.
• Excessive use of marijuana could cause dissociative disorders. This includes depersonalization and derealization. There have been some shocking reports on marijuana helping in managing the symptoms of these conditions in individuals who had them prior to cannabis use. They claim the continuous use of marijuana have helped in minimizing these symptoms.