How does marijuana use impact mental and physical health?
Studies show that marijuana can have positive and negative effects on mental health. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of marijuana on physical health.
Studies show that marijuana can have positive and negative effects on mental health. Effects can depend on the person’s underlying mental health conditions, their frame of mind, their current circumstances, and the types of products used. For individuals with certain mental health conditions, marijuana’s effects vary.
There is no definitive evidence that marijuana causes some psychiatric disorders in otherwise healthy individuals. Some studies have found associations between certain psychiatric disorders and marijuana use. However, these studies often cannot tell whether people with underlying disorders were more likely to use marijuana to self-medicate.
Some users may experience short-term effects like panic, anxiety, or paranoia. These feelings typically fade once the drug’s effects wear off. These effects can be prevented by using lower THC concentration products and not taking marijuana with other substances.
According to a review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the research suggests that marijuana does not cause depression, anxiety, or PTSD. But for those with bipolar disorder, frequent use may make symptoms worse.
Some evidence shows marijuana can improve airways and lung function when used over a short period. However, regular marijuana smoking can harm lung tissue. This is due to the smoke containing some of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke. Long-term use may lead to respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis and inflammation in the airways.
Marijuana can also increase heart rate and blood pressure right after use. There is limited evidence that marijuana use affects cardiovascular health. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of marijuana on lung and heart health. A limitation with available research is that many people who use marijuana also smoke tobacco.
