Brains
Long-term effects of cannabis on dopamine has shown that some users have a lower dopamine release rate as opposed to non-cannabis users. Short-term memory impairment has also shown to be a long-term effect of cannabis. In addition, verbal memory has been impacted by long-term cannabis use in some studies.
Hearts
Another long-term effect of cannabis has been linked to side effects like persistent coughs, excess phlegm and sometimes trouble breathing. Because inhalation requires THC to enter and exit the lungs and into one’s bloodstream, the chemical can cause an increased heart rate.
Long-Term Effects of Cannabis: Overall
For the most part, long-term cannabis use does not have a high risk of physical effects that are truly negative; however, consumers should still be aware of their pre-existing health concerns prior to long-term consumption if they are more susceptible to the negative long-term effects of cannabis.
Spreading Positivity
Although there are several questions regarding the current, ongoing research of the long-term effects of cannabis, there are numerous positive findings, as well. Contrary to popular belief, long-term cannabis use can positively affect the growth of brain cells. In fact, CBD has shown to promote cell growth in the hippocampus of the brain, which is responsible for your learning and memory. Furthermore, cannabis helps the maintenance and auto-regulation of our body, also known as homeostasis.
Homeostasis works closely in maintaining a healthy immune system. While pharmaceutical drugs may relieve one thing, doctors have found their side effects negatively interact with helping the body maintain homeostasis. Unlike those, THC and CBD have provided further insight on methods of prescribing several pills to combat counter effects of the original prescription.
Lastly, the positive long-term effects of cannabis allows one to develop a proper pain management program. For health issues like post-surgery pain, patients are given opioids for treatment. On top of that, they are prescribed antidepressants to combat the stress that typically accompanied the pain level. Current research in the long-term effects of cannabis are causing growth in understanding the possible elimination of excessive prescriptions if cannabis can do it all.