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Over the last few decades, the public view of marijuana has shifted in a major way. What was once an illegal substance whose possession could land you in jail for a long time has shifted to a more culturally acceptable substance for adults to consume in both medical and recreational situations.
In the last decade in particular, we have seen a number of states (including Oregon) approve the sale of medical and recreational marijuana while adding a special tax to the drug. Think of this in the same way most states tax alcohol or tobacco products.
Despite marijuana being legal for medical and recreational consumption in Oregon, this does not mean it doesn’t come with its share of baggage. Consuming anything in excess, even if it is legal, can be unsafe and lead to some potentially serious habits and consequences.
Both alcohol and prescription medications are legal but, as we know, can have some very serious consequences and the potential for misuse. Can the same be said about marijuana?
Marijuana is a drug. Because of this, it has the potential to become habit-forming and psychologically addictive. With its legalization in many states, marijuana has quickly become the most consumed psychoactive (mind-altering) substance in the United States. Because of its widespread availability and consumption, many people are under the false impression it is impossible to form an addiction to marijuana.
When a person does anything that causes changes in the chemistry of the brain, there is the potential for that person to become “addicted” to the substance or experience. When we take this into consideration, yes, marijuana can be considered an addictive substance.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports around 30% of people who consume marijuana excessively will eventually begin to show addictive tendencies. Some of this potential addiction is due to the psychoactive components of marijuana. In other cases, there may be a “perfect storm” of psychological and environmental risk factors that can lead to marijuana addiction.
THC is a compound known as a cannabinoid.
The component of marijuana that is most responsible for its psychoactive effects is called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or simply THC. Marijuana, or cannabis, is a rugged, naturally occurring plant that can grow and survive in many conditions (helping lead to its street name of “weed”).
Marijuana is a member of the cannabis plant family. Cannabis grows naturally in two types: sativa and sativa L.
Sativa L. is also known as hemp. It is chemically different from what we know as marijuana as it has no mind-altering or psychoactive effects. Hemp fibers can be used to make any variety of products such as rope, clothing, paper, plastics, and oils. It is even used in a variety of beauty products such as lotions, face masks, and shampoo.
Cannabis sativa, on the other hand, is what we commonly know as marijuana. It contains the psychoactive ingredient THC and can be processed and consumed in a variety of different ways. With the legalization of marijuana over the last couple of decades, we’ve seen even more ways people are creating THC-infused consumable products, for both recreational and medical use.
In contrast to many other substances someone may seek addiction treatment for, none of the compounds, active or inactive, in marijuana can cause a physical dependence or become physically addictive. However, there is certainly the potential for a person to become psychologically addicted to the way consuming marijuana makes them feel.
This potential psychological dependence is due to the ways THC, marijuana’s active ingredient, can interact with the brain. THC is a compound known as a cannabinoid.
As humans, our brains send different chemical and electrical signals throughout the body, telling it what to do and how to feel. Our bodies naturally produce many chemicals, and some of these chemicals are known as “neurotransmitters.” You can think of these as the body’s chemical messengers.
These neurotransmitters or messengers are responsible for all of the different emotions and actions we experience on any given day.
The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, directly affects what is known as the endocannabinoid system (also known as the EC system) in our bodies. This system is responsible for how our cells send, receive, and process messages. It can be thought of as the body’s mail-sorting system that processes each signal as it comes through.
In most cases, cannabinoids such as THC affect the EC system by causing it to slow down communication between the cells. This can lead to both physical and psychological impacts on a person.
When a person consumes marijuana, whether through an edible form, smoke, or vapor, THC ends up in the brain through the bloodstream. Once it reaches the brain, the THC attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors in our EC system. If we consider that the EC system is much like a mail-sorting office, we can understand it is tuned to react to incoming chemical messages in a certain way.
When a new or different type of chemical, such as THC, enters the EC system, it can prevent the body’s natural chemical messengers from doing their jobs properly. THC provides its psychoactive effects by throwing the EC system off balance, leading to all of the common side effects of marijuana consumption.
Popular culture, even way back to the 1950s and ’60s, has depicted the typical marijuana consumer in certain ways, both accurate and inaccurate. These depictions range from the desperate livewire in cautionary movies such as “Reefer Madness” to the low-energy weed lover in films like “Half Baked.”
While the truth is somewhere in between these depictions, there are definite side effects to marijuana consumption that can affect different people in different ways.
There are many reasons why a person may consume marijuana. Most people will say they like marijuana because it makes them feel good or helps them cope with environmental stressors at home or work. While the legality of marijuana may imply it is “safe,” its consumption is certainly not without significant side effects.
Some of these common side effects include:
It’s also very possible, and common, for people to overindulge in marijuana. This is especially common when talking about potent marijuana edibles, commonly available at marijuana dispensaries in states where the drug is legal. Consuming too much THC can result in hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), intense paranoia (fear), delusional (false) thinking, and even psychosis (loss of contact with reality).
Because the THC in marijuana directly affects some of the cycles of chemistry in the brain, there is the potential for psychological dependence. Because of these effects, there are some clear signs and symptoms to look out for that suggest a person may be misusing marijuana. These signs can be physical or behavioral and may include:
Physical Symptoms:
Behavioral Symptoms:
While these signs may suggest a loved one is misusing marijuana, there are other, more severe signs that suggest they may have formed an addiction or psychological dependence on the drug.
Signs of dependence:
Many of the signs of marijuana dependence or addiction are similar to the signs of addiction to other substances, such as opioids. Unlike with opioids, the overconsumption of or overdose on marijuana is not generally believed to be fatal or particularly dangerous. But with the rise in the potency of cannabis products in the last couple of decades, questions have re-emerged about the possibility of overdosing on THC.
Consuming too much marijuana may lead to some very unpleasant side effects. Here are some signs and symptoms that can potentially occur:
It’s important to realize the method of marijuana ingestion will directly impact the amount of its active ingredient, THC, that enters the bloodstream and eventually the brain. The method of ingestion can also impact how much a person consumes without realizing it. This situation often leads to people unintentionally consuming too much marijuana.
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.
Don't wait any longer to live the full life you deserve. The team at Serenity Lane can guide you to freedom from addiction.
Marijuana consumption, particularly when it’s smoked, is associated with a wide range of potential health complications that can include heart, lung, and mental health issues.
Marijuana smoke, much like cigarette or tobacco smoke, causes irritation in the lungs. Because of this, smoking marijuana comes with many of the same side effects as smoking cigarettes. Some of these side effects include:
Despite anxiety being a side effect of marijuana, there is no significant data that shows marijuana consumption is linked to mood or anxiety disorders. However, it can increase the risk for other substance use disorders such as alcohol use disorder and nicotine dependence.
At Serenity Lane, the treatment options for marijuana addiction are similar to addiction treatment protocols for other drugs. Traditional evidence-based treatments, such as 12-step programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, group and individual therapy, and other science-based treatment methods, have all been shown to be effective.
We offer residential inpatient, day treatment, and multiple levels of outpatient care. Our compassionate addiction specialists will work with you to determine the best approach to helping you quit marijuana for good.
Serenity Lane offers individualized, effective, and innovative solutions for your clients, neighbors, colleagues, friends, acquaintances, and family members struggling with Marijuana dependency, and any other addiction. Our treatment centers can help you or a loved one today.
Don’t wait another day to get the help you or a loved one needs. Call to speak to a recovery specialist now: 800-543-9905.
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