When you first started using marijuana, you were simply interested in relaxing and having a good time with your friends. Now that cannabis has become a regular part of your life, you may be wondering if it could be doing long-term damage. Although the negative effects of regular marijuana use are still being studied, there are several areas of potential concern. 

• Respiratory Problems

Smoking marijuana can have adverse respiratory effects with long-term use. Smoking exposes your lungs to harmful chemicals, toxins, and irritants that can cause chronic bronchitis and chronic cough. Inhaling marijuana smoke can lead to wheezing, shortness of breath, and excess phlegm production.

Although the link between smoking tobacco and lung cancer is well established, many people are surprised to learn the smoke from marijuana has been shown to contain many of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke. This means that both cannabis users and those exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk. 

• Heart Attack or Stroke

Regular marijuana use can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. For example, a 2018 study found that regular marijuana use increased your risk for any stroke by 15 percent and up to 29 percent for an ischemic stroke—the most common type of stroke. 

Additionally, some studies have suggested that marijuana use may increase the risk of heart attack, particularly in the hours immediately after use. This is thought to be due in part to the effects of marijuana on blood pressure and its ability to cause blood vessels to dilate, which can increase the workload on the heart. 

• Cognitive Impairment

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana’s effect on the brain is significant—especially when a person begins using the substance as a teen or young adult. For example, a study in New Zealand found that regular marijuana use disorder starting in the teen years was associated with a loss of an average of six or up to eight IQ points in mid-adulthood.

In addition to cognitive impairment, long-term cannabis use can cause memory problems and difficulty concentrating. Imaging studies have shown that regular marijuana use can cause structural changes in the brain’s regions involved in memory, attention, and decision making.

• Decline in Mental Health

While not all individuals who use marijuana experience mental health problems, research has suggested that there may be a higher prevalence of mental health disorders among cannabis users compared to the general population. It’s fairly common for people who struggle with mental health issues to self-medicate their symptoms with marijuana, but substance abuse over an extended period of time will actually make mental health issues worse. 

Marijuana use impacts the brain’s reward system and causes it to release less dopamine, leading to decreased motivation and pleasure. This can cause chronic cannabis users to feel less motivated to work, socialize, or participate in activities they once enjoyed. (This is also where the slacker/stoner stereotype comes from.) 

• Impaired Immune System

Long-term marijuana use can decrease immune system function, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. Although an impaired immune system can cause a wide range of problems, it’s worth noting that poor immune system function is a known risk factor for complications after COVID-19 infection. While many people with COVID-19 experience mild or no symptoms, others can develop more severe illnesses, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

• Decreased Fertility and Pregnancy Risks

Regular marijuana use may cause fertility issues for both men and women. In men, marijuana use can lead to decreased sperm count. In women, long-term cannabis consumption can interfere with the production of hormones necessary for menstrual cycle regulation.

Additionally, women who use marijuana during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications such as low birth weight and developmental problems. When a pregnant woman uses marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) crosses the placenta and enters the baby’s brain. THC can also be transferred to newborns through breast milk.

• Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction 

Over time, individuals who use marijuana long-term may develop a tolerance, requiring higher doses of marijuana to achieve the same effects. This can lead to increased use and potential dependence on the drug. In some people, dependence will progress to addiction. An addiction to marijuana is referred to as having a marijuana use disorder. 

At St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, near State College, Pennsylvania, we help men and women with marijuana use disorders build the foundation for lasting sobriety by focusing on addressing the circumstances that led to the development of their addiction and encouraging them to develop the skills to navigate everyday challenges without the use of addictive substances. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one take the first steps toward a brighter future.