When marijuana is smoked, THC passes rapidly from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the substance to the brain and other organs throughout the body. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, typically smoked alcoholism as a hand-rolled cigarette (joint) or in a pipe or water pipe (bong). The drug is also smoked in what’s called a blunt—a cigar that’s been emptied of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco.
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- Researchers found cannabis use reduced brain activity in certain areas of the brain responsible for decision-making, memory, paying attention and emotional processing.
- There is limited research on the health effects delta-8-THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids and related compounds, including delta-10-THC, THC-O-acetate, THCV, THCP, HHC, HHC-O-acetate, HHCP, and CBN.
- This risk could be higher in young men or people assigned male at birth, especially between 16 and 25 years of age.
- A meta-analysis on the efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabis-based medicines for cancer pain, reviewing RCTs on this topic.
This theory is supported by a review of animal studies that demonstrated increased glutamate signaling during drug self-administration and relapse, offering a potential neurochemical target for treatment in preventing craving and subsequent relapse. For example, rodent and nonhuman primate models receiving periodic injections of glutamate receptor antagonists have shown a reduction in relapse rates (Caprioli et al. 2017). Currently, most of the evidence regarding cannabis stems from cross-sectional studies of recreational use and thus cannot be used to establish causality.
Commercial interests contribute to drug use and addiction
Scientific American is part of Springer Nature, which owns or has commercial relations with thousands of scientific publications (many of them can be found at /us). Scientific American maintains a strict policy of editorial independence in reporting developments in science to our readers. If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. MNT also spoke with Jasdeep S. Hundal, PsyD, ABPP-CN, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and director of The Center is weed addictive for Memory & Healthy Aging Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study. Recent research shows the use of cannabis has grown significantly around the world, from about 180.6 million people in 2011 to 219 million in 2021.
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- Depending on the number of symptoms present, a person can be diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe cannabis use disorder.
- No, marijuana is not legal in South Carolina for recreational or medical use.
- Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
Marijuana use among all adult age groups, both sexes, and pregnant women is going up. At the same time, the perception of how harmful marijuana use can be is declining. Increasingly, young people today do not consider marijuana use a risky behavior. Recent research suggests that if you start to use marijuana at a young age, use it frequently, and for a long period, you could be at risk of having schizophrenia or other mental conditions that involve psychosis.
Physical Health Effects
These factors also complicate our ability to assess the true effect of intrauterine exposure to marijuana. In light of the rapidly shifting landscape regarding the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, patients may be more likely to ask physicians about its potential adverse and beneficial effects on health. The popular notion seems to be that marijuana is a harmless pleasure, access to which should not be regulated or considered illegal. Currently, marijuana is the most commonly used “illicit” drug in the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ United States, with about 12% of people 12 years of age or older reporting use in the past year and particularly high rates of use among young people.1 The most common route of administration is inhalation.
- If you eat or drink cannabis, these effects can occur within 30 minutes to 2 hours and can last up to 24 hours.
- According to the DSM-5, withdrawal symptoms are a core feature of cannabis use disorder, often lasting for weeks after cessation.
Psychological signs involve mental health changes and cognitive impairments linked to marijuana use. The mechanism behind marijuana addiction involves both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in the body. Regular use alters the way THC is absorbed and metabolized, leading to increased tolerance, where users require larger doses to achieve the same effects. Marijuana addiction, clinically referred to as cannabis use disorder (CUD), is a compulsive pattern of cannabis use despite adverse consequences, according to Zehra A. Et al.’s 2018 review “Cannabis Addiction and the Brain” published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, appetite loss, and physical discomforts such as headaches and stomach pains.
What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Marijuana Addiction?
Like any powerful substance, its use is best guided by knowledge, ideally with professional oversight and an understanding of how to maximize its benefits and steer clear of unwanted and or dangerous side effects. Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
