Understanding the effects of cannabis

What are the short-term effects of cannabis?

Think of cannabis like you would alcohol, there are fun effects and side effects. It’s important to know both so you can consume responsibly.

~Fun~ Effects– relaxation– giddiness– superhuman perception– increased appetite– altered perception of time and events

Side Effects– coordination issues– delayed reaction time– nausea– lethargy– anxiety– increased heart rate– decreased blood pressure

IMPORTANT

The short-term effects of cannabis can also vary based on your method of consumption. If you smoke cannabis, you’ll feel the effects within minutes. But if you orally ingest something, such as a capsule, tincture, or food item, it may be several hours before you feel anything.

Are there any long-term effects?

Seriously, an excellent question – no one knows. Experts are still trying to fully understand the long-term effects of using cannabis. There’s lots of conflicting research on this topic, and many of the existing studies have only looked at animals. Many more large, long-term studies in humans are needed to fully understand the lasting effects of cannabis use.

Brain Development

A 2014 review of existing studies highlights the potential impact of cannabis on brain development when used during adolescence.

According to this review, people who start using cannabis in their teens tend to have more memory and learning problems than those who didn’t use cannabis in their teens. But it’s unclear if these effects are permanent.

People who start using cannabis in their teens may also have a higher risk for mental health issues later in life, including schizophrenia. But experts still aren’t sure how strong this link is.

Dependence

Some people can also become dependent on cannabis. Others even experience withdrawal symptoms when not using cannabis, such as irritability, low appetite, and mood swings.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who start using cannabis before the age of 18 are 4–7 times more likely to develop a cannabis use disorder than those who start using it later in life.

Respiratory Problems

Smoking cannabis carries similar risks to smoking tobacco. For example, people who smoke cannabis have higher rates of respiratory infections and pneumonia. This may be due to inflammation and irritation of the airways.