Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in all age groups. It is reported that men are used more commonly than women in its consumption.

There are risks associated with the use of marijuana, which can be fatal. Although there are dangerous risks even when used alone, it also serves as a starting point on the road to other substance addictions.

As with many psychoactive substances, cannabis has psychological, physical and neurological effects on users.

Psychological Effects

Its effects depend on the potency of the substance and the dose taken. Cannabis users state that cannabis relaxes them, and therefore they feel much more comfortable, especially in social environments. Some emotional changes are seen with high doses of cannabis. In addition, it was stated that attention dullness, fragmented thoughts, weakening of memory and feeling that time passes more slowly. An overdose of marijuana can also have effects such as hallucinations and extreme panic. Since the effects listed here appear after a certain period of time after taking the substance, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety may occur in the person due to the insufficient amount of the substance taken (tolerance). At the same time, psychoactive substances such as cannabis can create permanent changes in the brain, create psychosis in the person with long-term use and even increase the risk of schizophrenia.

Physical Consequences

In short-term use of cannabis, effects such as redness of the eyes, itching, dry mouth, increased appetite are observed. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms include abdominal pain, bodily changes such as sweating and tremors, and stomach problems. As a result of long-term use, deterioration in the structure of the lungs, cough, chest pain, cancer, decreased fertility in women, developmental delay in pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage, low testosterone in men and decrease in sperm count can be seen. Compared to cigarettes, which is one of the most damaging substances to the lungs, marijuana has been shown to have more harmful effects than cigarettes. For example, by consuming one marijuana, the carbon dioxide of five cigarettes and the tar of four cigarettes are inhaled and ten cells connected to the air ducts are damaged (Sussman, Stacy, Dent et al., 1996).

Neurological Effects

In addition, the results of the research showed that the effect of marijuana on the brain has a negative effect on the short-term memory of the person. It can impair the cognitive functions of the person and accordingly weaken functions such as learning, memory and attention. Psychoactive substances such as cannabis in the brain can make permanent changes in the dopaminergic pathway in the brain in the long term (the cortical pathway of the dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain). Psychoactive substances taken in the brain cause deterioration in functions such as emotion regulation, impulse control and organizing thoughts and actions, which are among the higher cortical functions of the prefrontal cortex.

Treatment

Rehabilitation and drug therapy are essential in the treatment of cannabis users in terms of withdrawal symptoms caused by the substance. In addition, it should be carried out together with psychotherapy for the underlying causes of addiction and behavioral change.

References

Kring A., Johnson S., Davison G., Neale J., (2019), Anormal Psikoloji (Abnormal Psychology) (12. Basım), Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık, Ankara.