Top 7 Health Drawbacks of Marijuana Use

Marijuana is legal in many areas of the world and it has many health benefits. However, studies also show that marijuana has severe drawbacks, especially if used without professional medical attention. Here are the 7 health drawbacks of marijuana use.

7. Short-Terms Negative Effects

The short-term negative effects of marijuana include increased heart rate, inability to think clearly, distorted perception, time and place disorientation, coordination loss, and hallucinations. Some people report that they experienced anxiety, panic, and fear. (1, 2, 3, 4)

6. Negative Effects on the Nervous System

THC is the active ingredient in marijuana and it affects the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, mainly the areas of pleasure, memory, sensory, time perception, and other areas. If the recommended dosage is exceeded, people can experience delusions, disorientation, hallucinations, and impaired memory. (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

5. Negative Effects on the Heart

The immediate effects of marijuana on the heart include increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure. The heart rate may be doubled while the blood pressure is usually reduced slightly.
Studies show that marijuana overdose can lead to heart attacks. (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)

4. Negative Effects on the Bone

Studies show that smoking large amounts of marijuana may have negative impacts that may lead to a reduction in bone density increases the risk of bone fractures. In addition, marijuana smokers usually have a lower Body Mass Index or BMI, which also leads to bone density loss. (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)

3. Negative Effects on the Lungs

Smoking marijuana can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat in addition to the heavy coughing. Studies show that marijuana and tobacco users experience the same respiratory issues including chronic cough, frequent lung infections, and more severe chest symptoms. (21, 22, 23, 24)

2. Risks of Developing Cancers

Studies say that marijuana smokers are more likely to develop cancers than non-smokers. Marijuana contains a lot of tar, which is very carcinogenic. In general, smoking is very harmful to the lungs. Lung cancer is inevitable if you are a heavy smoker, especially a marijuana smoker. (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)

1. Marijuana & Pregnancy

Studies show that mothers who use marijuana during pregnancy may give birth to children with neurological development. In addition, studies show that children whose mothers use marijuana may have vision issues, cognitive problems, or problems with learning and memory. (30, 31, 32, 33)