Some people wonder about marijuana’s effects on brain development. Others are curious if eating or drinking cannabis Sativa-infused products has the same risk of things like lung cancer.
So what is the effect of cannabis, and is it good or bad? Are there cannabis side effects?
Cannabis contains THC and CBD. These two are the major compounds found in the plant. Marijuana users can experience mind-altering effects depending on the amount of THC in the cannabis plant. Medical marijuana has proven effective at reducing nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, helping to aid sleep, and more.
Still, smoked marijuana brings some negative side effects, like increased heart rate, risk of heart attack, or risk of lung disease. Let’s look at a breakdown of all the effects, good and bad.
In This Article
Common Effects of Weed
Research suggests that the effects of marijuana, the psychoactive compounds THC and CBD, are delivered almost immediately. Within 30 seconds, cannabis permeates the brain and body. Within thirty to sixty minutes, it reaches peak concentrates and effects. These effects can last three to four hours, on average.
Active ingredients in cannabis, THC, and CBD, are lipophilic, which means they can pass through fatty tissue in the brain and body. THC and CBD can access and remain in almost all cells in the brain and body for a long time.
Altered Senses
What are the common effects of weed? One of the most well-known effects is altered senses. When cannabis users get high, they might notice the following:
- Brighter colors
- Better tastes
- Louder noises
- Stronger smells
This happens because tetrahydrocannabinol THC enhances senses by interacting with brain receptors associated with your senses.
Altered Sense of Time
Other studies suggest that THC increases the speed of your internal clock, which means it alters your sense of time.
Positive Effects of Cannabis
Recreational Use
What are the effects of cannabis when used recreationally?
- Mood Lift
Depending on the strain consumed, some of the positive effects of cannabis include increases in mood, joy, and positive emotions.
- Relaxation
Cannabis use can lead to increased feelings of relaxation. Low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can reduce stress and lead to relaxation, but high levels can do the opposite.
- Creativity
Some research suggests that highly potent cannabis can impair creative thinking, but low-potent cannabis does not. However, cannabis use can lead to improved mood and relaxation. When individuals feel happier and more cheerful, they are more likely to view their ideas as creative, not to be held back by inhibitions, and therefore perceive themselves as more creative.
Medical Use
What are the effects of marijuana when used for medicinal purposes?
- Pain Relief
Studies have found that chronic pain patients over the age of 18 treated with cannabis or cannabinoids experienced a significant decrease in pain. - Reduces Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting
The effects of marijuana are beneficial for cancer patients on chemotherapy. Chemotherapy increases nausea and vomiting. Cannabis stimulates appetite and reduces nausea. The cannabinoids in marijuana can therefore be highly effective at treating some of the main side effects of chemotherapy. - Reduce Seizures
Some research suggests that THC and CBD could be used to prevent seizures and are currently used to reduce seizure frequency in epileptic patients. - Sleep Improvement
Cannabis has also been used as a treatment for sleep disorders. THC in cannabis can change slow-wave sleep, which is critical for storing long-term memories and learning. Cannabis has also been shown to affect sleep latency, decreasing the amount of time it takes to actually fall asleep. - PTSD
There is evidence has found that cannabis use can treat some PTSD symptoms but, in certain individuals, increase the symptoms or has no change at all.
Negative Effects of Marijuana
- Anxiety
One problem associated with cannabis is its impact on mental health. It is a common misconception throughout the United States that cannabis effects can improve mental health, especially among young people. However, physicians throughout the United States have confirmed that cannabis side effects can actually worsen symptoms of anxiety or depression.
- Coughing, Asthma, Upper Respiratory Problems
Marijuana smoke can irritate the lungs, and the more frequently individuals smoke cannabis, the more likely they are to have breathing problems, similar to smoking tobacco.The method of consumption can bring long-term cannabis side effects. Smoking cannabis regularly increases the risk of coughing, asthma, and upper respiratory problems. The risks associated with respiratory infections, coughs, chronic diseases, and cancer increase when any form of smoking is done habitually.
- Difficulty with Short-term Memory
Cannabis can affect short-term memory. Therefore, young cannabis users are at a high risk of problems with school performance. Young people, in particular, might find it difficult to study or learn because of interference with short-term memory.
- Racing Heart, Agitation, Tenseness
Other negative effects of cannabis include increased heart rate. This increased heart rate can lead to agitation, a racing heartbeat, and physical tension in the body. Research indicates that marijuana increases your heart rate for up to 3 hours after its ingestion. Individuals older or with existing heart conditions have an increased chance of heart attack.
- Headaches
Some cannabis users experience extreme headaches.
- Dizziness, Confusion
Cannabis side effects can include dizziness and confusion. Cannabis can affect an individual’s ability to gauge reaction time or understand what is going on around them. These psychoactive effects can increase the chances of things like risky behavior or car accidents.
- Paranoia
In inexperienced users, there is also an increased risk of paranoia. This paranoia can go hand in hand with the negative effects of marijuana associated with anxiety and depression.
Side-Effects of Cannabis
- General Change in Consciousness
The changes in time perception can lead to changes in consciousness.
- Increased Appetite
Smoking or ingesting cannabis stimulates cannabinoid receptors in your brain that release hormones increasing your hunger levels.
- Slowness
THC changes how your hippocampus processes information. This leads to slowness, like slowed talking or slowed driving.
- Tiredness
Regular cannabis use can increase the production of melatonin and activate cannabinoid receptors in your brain, which suppress your arousal system and increase levels of adenosine. Adenosine helps promote sleep which leaves you feeling tired after getting high.
- Bloodshot Eyes
Some of the most common side effects of marijuana use include bloodshot eyes. While this is commonly associated with smoke, it has nothing to do with it. When cannabinoids in the cannabis plant bind to your cannabinoid receptors, it dilates your blood vessels. This includes the blood vessels of the eyes. When this happens, you get an increased amount of blood flow to your eyes, leading to dizziness and bloodshot eyes.
- Mouth Dryness
Another common side effect is dry mouth or cottonmouth. Cannabis use slows down saliva production, which leads to mouth dryness.
- Interrupts Linear Memory
Cannabis can disrupt linear memory, which makes it hard to follow a train of thought. Research suggests that even single doses of THC can impair verbal and working memory.
Overall, understanding the effects of marijuana, both good and bad, can help you determine when and where it might be most appropriate to use marijuana. Medicinal marijuana and recreational marijuana alike have proven very successful under specific circumstances, but they may or may not be suitable for everyone.
Heather Wilson is a passionate cannabis enthusiast who has dedicated over four years of her life to working as a budtender. With a deep understanding of the difference between marijuana strains, cannabinoids, terpenes, and their effects, she has helped countless customers find the perfect product for their needs.
In addition to her work as a budtender, Heather is also an enthusiastic cook who loves to try new recipes incorporating cannabis. Whether she's whipping up a batch of infused cookies or cooking a delicious meal with cannabis-infused oil, Heather is always eager to explore the culinary possibilities of this versatile plant.
For Heather, cannabis is more than just a recreational substance. She uses it for her health and is an advocate for safe and responsible use. With a strong desire to spread awareness about the benefits of cannabis and fight the stigma that still surrounds marijuana, Heather is a true champion of this misunderstood plant.
Through her work and cooking, Heather is helping to change the conversation around marijuana and show the world that this plant has a lot to offer, both medically and recreationally. Heather joined with Brian to found Concept420 in 2022.
