Understanding How Pot Affects Your Overall Health
While many states have legalized some form of marijuana for personal use or have decriminalized possession of marijuana, the substance is still a controlled substance. Studies show that marijuana can have a substantial effect on your health.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 50 million people reported using marijuana in 2019. It is the “most commonly used federally illegal drug” in the country.
Adverse Health Effects
The CDC reports that marijuana can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s health and may be addictive. Marijuana addiction is known as marijuana use disorder and occurs when a person is unable to stop using marijuana despite it causing adverse health or social issues. It is estimated that approximately 3 in 10 marijuana users have marijuana use disorder.
Other health risks associated with marijuana use include:
- Short and long-term effects on the brain. Marijuana use can impact a person’s thinking, attention, movement, coordination, and more in the short term. Long-term marijuana may affect brain development, attention span, memory, and learning. Many effects may be permanent.
- A faster heartbeat and higher blood pressure. Studies show that marijuana may increase a person’s heart rate and blood pressure immediately after use. There is also some research that links marijuana use with an “increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other vascular diseases.”
- It may cause lung damage. Smoking marijuana may cause damage to the lungs. It can harm lung tissues and may cause scarring to the small blood vessels.
These are only a few of the numerous health effects that ingesting marijuana can have on the body. While many states, including California, have legalized the recreational use of marijuana it may still cause impairment and addiction. If you are using marijuana and unable to stop you may have marijuana use disorder and should seek treatment.