Marijuana addiction
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Marijuana is one of the most common substances abused by people. Most persons consume it by smoking it, although it is also possible to eat it, drink it, or vape it. Marijuana is known for its “high” effect, which increases feelings of pleasure and relaxation.
Many people are in love with the good feeling that marijuana gives them. The drug gives them the right levels of dopamine to help them feel happier and more relaxed. Smoking or vaping the drug helps obtain the desired effects sooner as the THC gets into the bloodstream more quickly, so many choose this consumption method.
However, while many people experience positive effects, the substance affects their brains and their mental health. Under the pleasant feeling offered by marijuana hide some very bad effects, both short-term and long-term ones. If someone is abusing marijuana, they need to get help before their health takes a turn for the worse.
What is Marijuana
Marijuana – also called pot, grass, dope, or weed – is a drug that comes from the cannabis plant. The drug comes in the form of a brown, gray, or green mix of crumbled and dried parts. It contains THC, a chemical known to alter people’s minds.
Weed is one of the most commonly used drugs, and it is especially very popular among young individuals. Over 11.8 million young adults consumed marijuana in 2018, and there was also an increase in the number of teenagers who use it according to the Monitoring the Future survey.
In some places, marijuana is legal, so individuals certainly take advantage of this. Still, even the places where the drug is illegal to have high consumption rates as people simply seek the euphoric effects of marijuana.
In some instances, marijuana can be used in medicine, and most states made the plant legal to use for this purpose.
Ways in Which Marijuana is Used
People use marijuana in various ways, based on their preferences. Most people will do these things:
- Roll up the drug and smoke it like a cigar or cigarette
- Brew the plant as a tea
- Use a pipe to smoke it
- Add it to food and eat it
- Use electronic vaporizers, also known as vaping
- Smoke the plant’s oils
With the increase in popularity of vaping devices, it is now very common to see someone vaping THC, particularly when it comes to teenagers. About 4% of 12th-grade students admitted to vaping THC every day.
Marijuana Short-Term Effects
Smoking marijuana will make someone experience its effects much quicker because the THC will have an easier time getting into the bloodstream from the lungs. Once this happens, the brain is going to take the chemical to various organs, including the brain. After 30 minutes or an hour since smoking weed, the user will start feeling the effects.
THC is a substance that affects the body. It can impact specific brain cell receptors that are important in the function and development of the brain. What’s more, the brain part with the largest number of receptors is activated by marijuana.
In the short term, someone can deal with the following effects when using marijuana:
- Impaired body movement
- An altered sense of time
- Having their senses altered
- Experiencing mood changes
- Impaired memory
- Having a harder time thinking and solving problems
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
Long-Term Effects of Weed Addiction
Although people use weed for the short-term happy feelings that it gives them, the truth is that marijuana can have very bad long-term effects on the body and brain. It has an impact on the development of the brain, and over time, it can lead to memory, thinking, and learning function impairment, especially if people start using weed as teens.
Frequently smoking marijuana can also lead to breathing problems and coughing. This is something that may only appear in people who have been smoking marijuana for a long time.
Furthermore, child development can also be affected during and after pregnancy. This is usually the case in women who do not stop using marijuana despite their pregnancy.
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The Addiction Potential of Cannibis
At first, using marijuana may seem harmless, but it can be very bad in the long term, mainly because it can lead to a substance use disorder. When this happens, the user cannot stop abusing the drug even though they are well aware of the social and health issues it causes. According to research, between 9% and 30% of people who use marijuana will end up developing an addiction.
When someone starts abusing the drug before reaching the age of 18 years old, they are 4-7 times more likely to get a marijuana addiction compared to adults. Once an addiction forms, quitting it can be extremely difficult. The user will deal with mild withdrawal symptoms after trying to stop, such as:
- Anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Cravings
- Lower appetite
- Grouchiness
Marijuana Overdose
Although overdosing on marijuana may be a bit harder compared to other drugs, it is still possible. If someone takes a very high dose of weed, they can overdose, and this can be very dangerous.
A marijuana overdose will show symptoms such as panic, anxiety, and a very fast heartbeat. In worse cases, one may even start experiencing paranoia and hallucinations. Although there aren’t any reports of people passing away from consuming marijuana alone, overdosing on it can be quite bad.
Why Choose Real Deal?
Real Deal can be a great solution for people who were addicted to marijuana but went through rehab and are now trying to stay off the drug. Going back to your normal life after treating your marijuana addiction may not be the best solution, especially if there are temptations everywhere.
So, Real Deal will be able to offer you a new home for a while, in a place where you will be at peace, looking for a new job, and trying to learn new things. On top of that, it is also where you may become friends with people who had similar experiences, which may help you in your journey.
Marijuana consumption in the long term can be very dangerous, and it’s important to stop it as soon as possible. Reach out for help if you suspect someone you know is addicted to marijuana.