THC effects in the long term: here’s what can happen to chronic smokers

THC effects in the long term: here's what can happen to chronic smokers

ALL THE EFFECTS OF HIGH THC MARIJUANA WHEN USED OVER THE LONG TERM.

The marijuana is one of the oldest natural drug (and most used) in the world because of its temporary effects: euphoria, relaxation, increased creativity are typical of the buzz effects sought after by many people, and not teenagers.

Although the short-term effects may be positive – or, if adverse effects arise, they would be temporary – the long-term effects of THC must also be considered.

Those who use cannabis for many years can also experience significant damage to the brain. Furthermore, the use of marijuana with a high THC content, unlike CBD cannabis, can also negatively affect social life and work and school performance.

Knowing the impacts of marijuana on health is very important to have a greater awareness of this substance’s abuse.

According to the Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use study published in 2014 in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse & Health, the onset of long-term effects from chronic marijuana use is more common in people who use THC during adolescence.

Let’s see, below, which are such effects, stating that the legal marijuana deviates from cannabis as it comes to a product with less than 0.2% THC and high content of CBD (which counteracts the action of THC). Therefore, the effects we will talk about below are not attributable to the CBD Weed, which has the only beneficial effects of cannabidiol.

thc addiction if used long term

THC addiction: the main effect of prolonged or heavy use of cannabis.

THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that can be addictive and psychologically addictive.

Considering the Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use research, 9% of the users studied developed dependence on tetrahydrocannabinol.

17% of addicted people started using cannabis since adolescence, and up to 50% use it daily.

Impaired brain development and cognitive impairment.

As is well known, a young person’s brain can be significantly more susceptible to the long-term (negative) effects of THC.

Numerous studies, including Effects of Cannabis Use on Human Behavior, Including Cognition, Motivation, and Psychosis published in the JAMA Psychiatry, have shown 3 circumstances to be strongly considered :

  • The IQ of people who abuse cannabis during adolescence (and who continue to use it) is well below average, sometimes bordering on the mental deficit.
  • Not all people who start smoking marijuana in adolescence and then quit in adulthood can fully recover their mental faculties.
  • Adults who smoked marijuana regularly during adolescence have fewer neural fibres in specific brain regions. It can negatively affect the brain development process.

Read also: THC & brain: short and long term effects and damage

On the other hand, those who start using marijuana in adulthood seem not to experience significant brain damage.

schizophrenia due to marijuana abuse

Low academic achievement, more likely to drop out of school.

Because marijuana use impairs cognitive function both immediately and in the days following service, many students may have a cognitive level below their natural abilities for long periods.

Although the acute effects may diminish following the elimination of THC from the body, there is still long-term cognitive impairment for those who use early and heavy marijuana.

Besides, in periods of heavy use of cannabis by adolescents, there is a lack of academic learning that interferes with educational success.

Not surprisingly, early and intensive use of marijuana is related to reduced school performance and an increased risk of dropping out of education (mostly if cannabis abuse is associated with particular environmental factors that further impact school dropout. at a young age).

Chronic bronchitis with an increased rate of respiratory infections and pneumonia due to the intensive use of cannabis.

Cannabis smoke can promote the onset of inflammation of the large airways and lung hyperinflation, so much so that chronic bronchitis symptoms are widespread among heavy smokers of this substance.

Not to mention the damage to the respiratory system’s immune response, resulting in an increased risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia.

Read also: How CBD hashish is made and what differences with regular hashish

Psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia in predisposed subjects (adolescents and not).

Intensive use of cannabis is associated with the onset of Psychosis; it also accelerates the onset of schizophrenia in predisposed individuals, so much so that THC is considered a small trigger of schizophrenia.

In addition to the early onset of this mental disorder, THC leads to more relapses, hospitalizations and even more treatment refusal than in schizophrenic patients who do not use marijuana.

The onset of Psychosis and schizophrenia are arguably the most severe long-term effects of THC.

In conclusion

The effects of chronic marijuana use are worrying but are in no way attributable to CBD. They are caused by THC, the psychotropic cannabinoid of hemp.

The ‘ legal weed does not cause the onset of these symptoms or cause addiction and dependency. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most sold products online.

Do you want, you can also buy CBD based products on our CBD online shop ?

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