What Is Connection Between Marijuana And Mental Health?

June 10, 2024 By Zhuri

There is an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder from smoking marijuana. Research suggests that marijuana use can accelerate the development of schizophrenia in those who are already at risk.

Although many people use marijuana for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, research has shown that marijuana can worsen these conditions.

How Marijuana Affects The Brain

Marijuana can be used to alter your thoughts and feelings. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. It can cause many mind-altering side effects.

Shop thc seltzers to the brain of those who smoke, vape, or inhale pot. It affects pleasure, thought, concentration, and sensory perception as well as memory and coordinated movement.

Many people who use marijuana for recreational purposes want to feel happy and relaxed. You may also experience negative effects from marijuana. It can lead to cognitive decline and impaired ability to make new memories. The drug can also make concentration and performance difficult.

Chronic marijuana use has been linked in some cases to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, as well as other mental disorders. The drug can also cause schizophrenia and lead to marijuana addiction. The negative effects of marijuana use on the body can lead to addiction.

Anxiety And Marijuana

The sedating effects of marijuana can be soothing for some people. It can also trigger anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks in some users.

Anxiety is more common in high doses of the drug. But it can also be caused by frequent use.

There are still many unknowns about the links between marijuana and anxiety. Research has shown that persistent anxiety disorders can be caused by chronic marijuana use, but it’s still not known if the effects of marijuana are real.

Depression And Mood Disorders

We still have much to learn about marijuana’s relationship with depression.

It isn’t clear whether marijuana causes depression. However, it is possible that people suffering from depression may be drawn to marijuana.

Patients with bipolar disorder are known to smoke marijuana and have difficulty undergoing treatment.

Marijuana & Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that can cause hallucinations, distorted thoughts,s, and other emotional problems. Schizophrenia is usually diagnosed between the ages of 16, and 30, when symptoms are most apparent. It is very rare for schizophrenia to develop after the age of 45.

Even though marijuana can be used to induce psychotic symptoms, there are links between schizophrenia and it.

Though schizophrenia does not appear to be caused by cannabis use, early exposure to marijuana can cause the condition in people with more sensitive genes.

Marijuana & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that can be caused by traumatic or life-threatening events. PTSD can be triggered by sexual assault, war combat, and natural disasters.

While there are some people who use marijuana for PTSD relief, even veterans, no research has proven that the drug is safe or effective.

Marijuana Use Disorders And Substance Use Disorders

Though marijuana is commonly viewed as a benign medication, it can also be addictive. Nearly three-quarters of all people who use marijuana may have some kind of marijuana use disorder. These can range anywhere from mild substance abuse to addiction.

Early marijuana use can make it easier to abuse substances later in life. This is why marijuana can sometimes be considered a gateway drug.