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Marijuana as a recreational substance has been a part of American popular culture for almost as long as mass media has existed. This popularity has only grown in recent decades as many states have moved to make marijuana consumption legal, first for medicinal purposes and now for recreational purposes as well.
In some places, including right here in Oregon, certain sections of the population treat recreational marijuana consumption as being as socially acceptable as alcohol consumption. Despite this relaxed attitude, and much like alcohol, the misuse of marijuana can have some very real effects that can be potentially negative.
Marijuana (often referred to as “weed” and countless other street names) is the dried flowers, stems, leaves, seeds, and extracts of the Cannabis indica or Cannabis sativa plant. Relatives of this resilient plant, known as hemp, play an important industrial role as they can be processed into textiles, rope, and other products. Unlike typical marijuana, the hemp plant contains none of the psychoactive ingredients that are sought after for its medical and recreational effects.
Marijuana is an interesting drug because it has varied effects on different people. Some people claim that it has helped them deal with the symptoms of cancer or chemotherapy, while others may report no effects at all. If you pair these varying effects with the drug being legal in some states and illegal on the federal level, there are many grey areas worth exploring.
There are many conflicting claims surrounding marijuana and its effects. There is also a lot of misinformation out there to sift through. The more facts you learn about marijuana, the better you can understand it and avoid the potential negative consequences of its consumption.
Let’s start by dispelling some of the myths and misconceptions:
We’re not going to lie to you, this answer is complicated. With the rise in popularity of marijuana as a legal intoxicant in many states, most people would conclude it is as safe to consume as alcohol, at the very least. After all, it is legitimately prescribed to treat certain physical and mental health ailments and, for those people, can have some benefits.
To better address this myth, it’s important to understand addiction a little better. With substances such as opioids, over time and with repeated habitual consumption, the brain and body begin to chemically change to account for the opioid’s effects. If that person suddenly stops taking opioids, there will be negative physical and psychological consequences, also called withdrawal. This is because the body has adjusted to the presence of the drug.
In contrast to substances such as opioids, marijuana contains no chemicals that cause a chemical dependence in the brain. With this in mind, it is safe to conclude marijuana is not physically addictive.
However, any substance that can influence a person’s decision-making in favor of obtaining and consuming it, despite negative social or health outcomes, can be considered psychologically addictive.
The effects of marijuana include cognitive impairment (cloudy thinking and decision making), breathing issues, paranoia/anxiety, and trouble focusing. The temporary effects also include euphoria or extreme happiness. Certain areas of the brain can crave this feeling of euphoria, which can quickly lead to unhealthy thought patterns that form the basis for psychological addiction. Being aware of this potential for psychological addiction is important when considering consuming marijuana.
In Oregon, marijuana is fully legalized for recreational use. Along with this, doctors may prescribe marijuana to treat certain physical and mental conditions. This is also the case in many other states where recreational marijuana is not legal.
Marijuana prescriptions are fairly common as it has been shown to provide effective, but temporary, treatment for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy and seizures, muscle spasms, nausea caused by chemotherapy (cancer treatment), and other ailments.
However, this does not mean marijuana “cures” these ailments. It simply treats the symptoms, providing temporary relief without addressing the underlying causes.
It’s also important to remember that the effects of marijuana can vary from person to person, meaning it won’t provide relief to everyone who suffers from the same ailment.
The misconception that marijuana consumption boosts creativity may stem from its popularity among artists and musicians from the early to mid 20th century. If a person believes they are only creative when they are under the influence of marijuana, this can lead to psychological dependence on the drug. This concept is similar to people who feel as though they need to drink alcohol to feel more comfortable in social situations.
One 2014 study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that a group under the influence of marijuana was far less creative than the sober control group. Later, a third group was given a placebo cookie they were told was medicated with marijuana. Interestingly enough, this third group showed the most creativity of all. If anything, this tells us the creativity of the lucid, sober mind is stronger than that of a mind clouded by any substance.
Another common misconception is that marijuana is a completely safe substance to consume. Just because a substance is legal does not mean it is without its risks. Just because it is nearly impossible to fatally overdose on marijuana does not mean it cannot affect a person in major ways.
Since the legalization of the drug in some states, strains and breeds of marijuana have been developed to have much more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that causes its psychoactive effects. With a higher THC content comes a higher level of cognitive impairment. This means people who drive under the influence of marijuana have slower reaction times and a higher potential to cause automobile accidents. One study found that driving while high on marijuana doubles a person’s odds of getting in a serious car accident.
Smoking marijuana can also cause many of the same ailments as smoking cigarettes. This is because the chemical composition of marijuana smoke is similar to that of tobacco smoke.
Indeed, the over-consumption of marijuana alone has not had fatal consequences. That said, consuming too much marijuana may lead to some very unpleasant side effects. Here are some signs and symptoms that can potentially occur:
These signs or symptoms of marijuana overdose can last longer depending on how it was ingested. How quickly THC gets into the bloodstream controls how fast the effects are experienced.
It turns out that the way it is taken also determines how long the intoxication from marijuana lasts. Typically, when it is smoked, intoxication lasts for one to three hours. When ingested via edibles or drinks, the effects can last hours longer than the standard one-to-three-hour time window.
If you feel as though you’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with marijuana, Serenity Lane is here to help. We draw upon our 48 years of experience in addiction treatment to help you overcome whatever is standing in your way. We understand addiction and the best ways to help promote strong, lasting change.
We offer residential treatment programs and multiple levels of outpatient programming to provide you with the exact type of care you need. With centers all around Oregon, Serenity Lane makes your physical and mental health our number one priority.
You’re stronger than you may think, and we’re here to help. Call us today at (800) 543-9905 for a no-cost consultation from one of our mental health professionals.
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