Studies show that marijuana use has certain short-term and long-term effects. But researchers are still learning about these, especially long-term effects. Marijuana is one of the most used drugs in the United States, particularly among young adults. In 2021, 35.4% of people aged 18 to 25 (11.8 million people) reported using marijuana in the past year. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation.
But if you orally ingest cannabis, such as in a capsule or food, it may be several hours before you feel anything. Cannabis is usually consumed for its relaxing and calming effects. In some U.S. cannabis withdrawal management states, it’s also prescribed to help with a range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, glaucoma, and poor appetite. Molecular analytical techniques developed in the late 20th century are being applied to questions of taxonomic classification.
- Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit ānanda (“bliss”).
- The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the resin (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female.
- Many people use cannabis and cannabis products as a treatment for chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and mental health conditions.
- Because of this, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products.
- Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space.
Delta-8 THC products have not been FDA-approved for safe use. Eating large amounts of products containing delta-8-THC has led to medical emergencies, including breathing problems5,6. There is limited research on the health effects delta-8-THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids and related compounds, including delta-10-THC, THC-O-acetate, THCV, THCP, HHC, HHC-O-acetate, HHCP, and CBN. Many scientists and health organizations — including the American Cancer Society (ACS) — support the need for further scientific research on the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat medical conditions. However, researchers cautioned that cannabis is not an appropriate treatment for some other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder and psychosis.
Medical use
After 24 hours to a few days, minuscule psychoactive effects may be felt, depending on dosage, frequency and tolerance to the drug. For example, prescription CBD oils may be well tolerated when taken orally, whereas inhaled dried cannabis can cause irreparable lung damage. Smoking cannabis can cause scarring in the respiratory system, damage blood vessels in the lungs, and lead to bronchitis. Cannabis use may also exacerbate existing symptoms of bipolar disorder among people living with it. A study published in 2017 found that the use of CBD resulted in far fewer seizures among children with Dravet syndrome compared with a placebo. The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises talking with a doctor before taking cannabis to alleviate cancer side effects.
If you want to learn more about the potential medical uses of marijuana or are concerned you have marijuana use disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. While research into the efficacy of medicinal cannabis as a treatment for psychiatric disorders is promising, it is still in its early stages. Further research is required to fully assess the role of medicinal cannabis in treating mental health conditions. While people with mental health disorders and related symptoms are more likely to use cannabis,51 many factors that influence mental health—such as genes, trauma, and stress—also influence how likely someone is to use drugs, including cannabis. Marijuana, crude drug composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus Cannabis.
Are there treatments for cannabis use disorder?
Your body absorbs THC more slowly if you eat or drink it — you typically experience the effects after 30 minutes to one hour. The use of cannabis during pregnancy may have harmful effects on a baby’s health after birth. But cannabis remains illegal under federal law in the United States.
Physical Side Effects
If it is, consider talking to a doctor or pharmacist beforehand to make sure it won’t interact with any medications or supplements you take. A doctor can also help you weigh the potential benefits and risks to your health. This may be due to inflammation and irritation of the airways.
What are the short-term effects of cannabis?
The FDA hasn’t approved marijuana to treat any medical conditions. But it has approved certain purified substances derived from marijuana (analogs). Cannabis use has been linked to certain mental health conditions.
Some evidence suggests that oral cannabinoids are effective against nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and some small studies have found that smoked cannabis may also help alleviate these symptoms. Approximately 1 in 10 adult users of marijuana develop cannabis use disorder. SUD is a mental health condition in which a person has a problematic pattern of substance use that causes distress and/or impairs their life.
- Marijuana has several short-term and long-term effects, many of which scientists are still studying.
- Here’s a primer on some common strains and their potential effects.
- Marijuana is a mind-alerting substance that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant.
- Many scientists and health organizations — including the American Cancer Society (ACS) — support the need for further scientific research on the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat medical conditions.
By the late 1960s most countries had enforced restrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The Netherlands is a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana.
Some people use CBD oil to reduce or replace their intake of prescription pain medications. Cannabis may also help people with alcohol or opioid dependencies treat their addictions. Over the years, research has yielded results to suggest that cannabis may be beneficial in the treatment of some conditions. International trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the International Opium Convention of 1925.
Cannabis Health Effects
Cannabis use at a young age has also been linked to other mental health conditions, including the likelihood of developing psychosis87 and to developing cannabis use disorder later in life. Cannabis, which some people call marijuana, refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa L plant. The plant contains at least 125 different cannabinoids,1 including delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
If You Use Cannabis Products
Marijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. Acute intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, paranoid reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours.