Cannabis effects on the Body

As the demographic of young people who consume weed as risen since the start of the pandemic, it is essential to understand the types of effects, both good and bad, that marijuana can have on psychological, cognitive, and systemically functions of the body. Here, we will review so of the basic effects that can be produced both short and long term.

The biggest and most discussed effect that cannabis has on the body is on mood. Cannabis is widely known to be associated with euphoric highs where users experience "a feeling of intoxication, with decreased anxiety, alertness, depression and tension and increased sociability (if taken in friendly surroundings)" (?). What is little discussed is the direct opposite effect that marijuana can have on a persons mood. When used by those who are consuming cannabis more naively or are prone to psychological disorder there is a high potential to experience severe anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis.

Marijuana is also known to have effects on perception. Visually, users may experience brighter colors or distorted view. Cannabis consumers also have a potential to feel their emotions more meaningfully while spatially, ”perception is distorted and time perception is impaired so that perceived time goes faster than clock time” (). At this stage there is further potential to experience hallucinations if a higher dosage is taken. Furthermore, cannabis has effects on cognitive and motor skills, including slow reaction time, short term memory, and difficulty in concentration.

When consumed for a long period of time, marijuana consumers can remain impaired even after intoxication of the substance. Chronic use of marijuana could develop or worsen the psychological effects on the brain while also posing the risk cardiovascular and respiratory risks.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/pharmacology-and-effects-of-cannabis-a-brief-review/82B02735F420CB287DCC80843FC34AE1