Short- and Long-Term Effects & Health Risks of Marijuana

When posed with the question “is weed harmful?,” many people will say no. However, relaxed societal views and an increasing number of states legalizing this drug don’t change the fact that there are many negative short- and long-term effects of smoking weed on the brain and body.

So, what are the long-term effects of marijuana? They extend beyond losing your motivation and getting “the munchies”. In this article, we’ll discuss marijuana side effects and some of the many short- and long-term marijuana health effects and risks of marijuana use.

Marijuana Side Effects

The high that arises from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) when smoking marijuana includes short-term effects such as:¹

• Altered senses and perception of time.
• Mood changes.
• Movement and coordination problems.
• Difficulty thinking clearly and solving problems.
• Impaired memory.

In high doses, marijuana can also cause hallucinations and psychosis. Because the potency of marijuana is increasing, there is an increased risk of experiencing symptoms.¹

Are Different Forms of Weed More Dangerous Than Others?

Marijuana can be consumed in ways other than smoking, including by:

• Consuming edibles (cookies, brownies, gummies, etc.).
• Brewing into tea.
• Dabbing THC-rich resins (butane hash oil).

While there may be some variation in how long it takes for the effects to arise (edibles can take much longer to produce effects than smoking or dabbing), they are essentially the same regardless of the method of use.¹

Because it takes longer for edibles to produce a high, some users may consume increasing amounts in an attempt to speed up the onset of the effects. By doing so, they may subject themselves to some of the more harmful effects, such as psychotic symptoms, and these uncomfortable side effects tend to last longer as the drug moves slowly through the body’s gastrointestinal system.¹

Long-Term Effects & Risks of Marijuana Use

Marijuana effects are not limited to the short-term side effects. Chronic marijuana use can impact the body and mind in numerous ways. For example, it can:²

• Negatively affect brain development in teens and young adults.
• Increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease.
• Harm the lungs.
• Bring on or worsen distressing mental health symptoms.

These long-term effects of marijuana are discussed in more detail below.

Effects of Smoking on the Teenage Brain

Among marijuana’s most troubling effects are those on the brains of young people. It takes about 25 years for the brain to fully develop.³ When a person uses weed in their adolescent/teenage years, marijuana can impair their normal brain development, causing problems in their brain’s ability to make connections in the areas that are required for:²

• Attention.
• Memory.
• Learning.

The changes that occur in the brains of young people who use marijuana may be long-lasting, and research is still being performed to determine if some changes may be permanent.^1,2

The effects of weed on the brain’s development are impacted by factors such as:²

• How much THC is in the marijuana (its potency).
• Age at first use.
• Frequency of use.
• Whether marijuana is used along with other drugs such as alcohol.

Marijuana Use While Pregnant

Marijuana use by pregnant mothers may also impact brain development in babies. Research has linked prenatal marijuana use to problems for the children that include:²

• Attention and memory problems.
• Difficulty with problem-solving.
• Behavioral issues.

Heart and Cardiovascular Problems From Weed

Using weed may harm the cardiovascular system in several ways. Research suggests that marijuana use may result in:^2,4,5,6

• A mild increase in blood pressure.
• Rapid or irregular heart rate.
• Increased heart disease or heart failure risk.
• Increased risk of stroke.

Those who have coronary heart disease, or who are at high risk of developing it, may be especially vulnerable to the effects of weed on the heart.⁷

Some of the cardiovascular effects are linked to smoking the substance. While smoking marijuana effectively delivers THC into your body, that’s not all you’re getting. You’re also delivering the types of toxins into your body that are in tobacco smoke, which can harm both the cardiovascular system and the lungs.^2,8

Marijuana Effects on the Lungs

Smoking marijuana can cause respiratory health problems in a way similar to tobacco smoke. Marijuana smoking irritates the throat and lungs and may cause a severe cough. Smoking weed may increase the risk of the following respiratory health problems:^1,2

• Inflammation of the airway.
• Damage to the lung’s tissues.
• Increased airway resistance (resistance to flow of air during breathing).
• Lung hyperinflation resulting from air trapped in the lungs.
• Increased cough and production of phlegm.
• Chronic bronchitis.

Use of certain THC-containing vape products has been linked to reports of serious lung illness and death. Vitamin E acetate, which is added to some e-cigarette products that contain THC, is very strongly associated with the risk of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Both the CDC and FDA advise against use of THC-containing vape or e-cigarette products.^1,9

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Using marijuana repeatedly may lead to a health problem called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Symptoms include:¹

• Intense nausea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Dehydration.
• Loss of appetite/weight loss.

CHS is more common among regular high-dose marijuana users than those who use only occasionally.^10,11 Those who suffer from this syndrome may require emergency care and/or hospitalization.^1,10

Does Marijuana Affect Mental Health?

Regular marijuana use and high-dose marijuana use can cause mental health symptoms that include:²

• Disorientation.
• Anxiety.
• Paranoia.

Using marijuana may increase a person’s chances of experiencing psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and paranoia. Research has found that everyday use of high-potency weed may increase the risk of psychosis by up to 5 times.¹² Other factors that may contribute to this risk include:¹²

• How much the drug is used.
• The age at first use.
• Genetics.

For those who are genetically vulnerable to schizophrenia, using marijuana may heighten their risk of developing this disorder. For those who already suffer from schizophrenia, marijuana use may worsen the course of the illness.¹²

Repeated marijuana use is also associated with amotivational syndrome, which reflects a lack of motivation to partake in activities one would normally find pleasurable or rewarding.¹²

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Research has found an association between marijuana use and an increased risk of:¹²

• Nicotine dependence.
• Alcoholism.
• Marijuana use disorder or other substance use disorders.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, up to 1/3 of people who use marijuana have a marijuana use disorder. Marijuana use that begins in adolescence (prior to age 18) increases the risk of a marijuana use disorder by up to 7 times.¹³

A marijuana use disorder or other substance use disorder is characterized by a compulsion to keep using a drug despite the negative consequences that arise from doing so. A person struggling with an addiction to marijuana, alcohol, or other drug may struggle with:¹⁴

• An inability to quit despite repeated attempts to do so.
• Problems attending to personal obligations due to substance use.
• A growing tolerance that prompts increased use.
• Marijuana withdrawal symptoms upon attempting to quit.

Marijuana Withdrawal

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can start fairly quickly when someone stops using marijuana or significantly reduces their use abruptly after heavy and prolonged cannabis use.¹⁴

Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal can include:¹⁴

• Irritability.
• Anger or aggression.
• Anxiety or nervousness.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Change in appetite or weight loss.
• Restlessness.
• Feeling depressed.
• Fever, chills, sweating, headache, shakiness, or abdominal pain.

Rehab for Weed Addiction

If you’re using marijuana or any other substance and you’re unable to stop, we’re here for you. At Recovery First, we have several types of addiction treatment programs—from outpatient therapy to inpatient rehab near Miami, Florida—that can help you achieve recovery.

To find out more about our rehab near Miami, contact our helpful and compassionate admissions navigators 24/7 at . They are on hand to answer your questions about what to expect in treatment, how to pay for rehab, and help you start the rehab admissions process.