It has intoxicating effects, meaning it can temporarily alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and perceptions. Cannabis, which some people call marijuana, refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa L plant. Teenagers and young adults are especially vulnerable to marijuana addiction. THC concentrations in modern strains and cannabis products (vapes, dabs, edibles) have increased dramatically—some concentrates contain over 90% THC.

You could also try to set limits such as only using marijuana  on certain days of the week, like the weekends. Teenagers tend to use drugs when faced with uncertain changes or stressors. If you have children, make sure they know marijuana can be harmful. Not using drugs when you’re young might lower your chances. The only sure way to stop CUD from happening is to never use marijuana.

Cannabis (Marijuana)

Some research shows an association between long-term cannabis use and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and arrythmias.35,36 However, more research is needed to determine if there is a direct connection between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease, or if other factors are involved.37 Children eating cannabis edibles, such as gummies, is a growing health concern. Many people use cannabis to feel intoxicated or “high”.17 Cannabis can make people feel more happy or relaxed. CBD is marketed as an ingredient in many consumer products, including supplements, foods, oils, and lotions.

Wondering if someone you love is dealing with marijuana addiction—or if you are yourself? So while not everyone gets addicted, marijuana is far from risk-free. It ranges from mild to severe, depending on how much marijuana is used, how often, and how it affects someone’s life. This is called tolerance and withdrawal, two key signs of addiction. When someone becomes dependent on marijuana, their body and brain start to rely on it.

Treatment for Teens with CUD

• And the misconception has become more widespread as a growing number of states legalize marijuana.
• Many people use cannabis to feel intoxicated or “high”.17 Cannabis can make people feel more happy or relaxed.
• Thousands of people have faced this challenge and come out stronger, healthier, and happier.
• Participants receiving cannabis containing 3.1% THC consumed about 19% less alcohol compared to placebo.

Like other medicinal treatments for medical conditions, medicinal marijuana can have negative effects even though it is used to treat medical conditions. One of the biggest risk factors of marijuana addiction may be age. The person experiences symptoms when they stop using the substance, which makes them feel the need to use it again. A person first uses a substance such as marijuana repeatedly. Substance dependence, also called chemical dependence, is when a person experiences physical dependence on a substance but is not addicted to it.

These can range from mild to severe depending on the person. Dependence symptoms can be cognitive, behavioral, and physical. Although the numbers are not entirely known, it is estimated that 6.3 percent of adults have experienced marijuana use disorder, and that percentage is increasing.

Where people can get help for cannabis use disorder

• Marijuana addiction is clinically known as Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).
• If you’ve met just two of the criteria for cannabis use disorder in the last year, doctors say you have a mild form of the condition.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 30% of people who use marijuana will develop problems with its use, known as marijuana use disorder.

These include needing more of the drug to get the same effect, having withdrawal symptoms and spending a lot of time trying to get or use it. This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Experts say relaxed access and high-potency cannabis products may be contributing to a rise in addiction. More research is needed, particularly studies in addiction and other at-risk populations. Low-dose chronic THC is likely to impair attention, increase impaired driving risks, and produce dependency, withdrawal, anxiety, and tachycardia. The rise of THC-infused beverages represents a significant shift from the alcohol-only landscape of social substance use in the US.

The Role of Potency and Modern Cannabis Products

It has been found people with this condition often experience impaired cognitive functioning. However, experts agree there are usually more contributing factors, such as environment, access to marijuana, socioeconomic status, and more. For instance, marijuana confiscated by law enforcement today contains an average of 15% THC compared to less than 4% in marijuana confiscated in the 1990s.

Some evidence has linked cannabis use to earlier onset of psychosis in people with genetic risk factors for psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, as well as worse symptoms in people who already have these conditions. Synthetic cannabinoids, which are lab-made substances that are chemically similar to compounds found in the cannabis plant, can produce serious negative health effects.10 These products, which are also known as Spice or K2, may have a much higher concentration of THC and can be much more powerful. Higher potency means stronger effects, faster tolerance, and a higher risk of addiction and psychological side effects—including psychosis, paranoia, and cannabis-induced anxiety.

Cannabis use disorder and increased THC concentration

Marijuana—also called weed, cannabis, and other names—is a species of plant that is used as a medical and recreational drug. In light of the legalization of marijuana, many people have wondered about the substance, its safety, and whether it’s addictive. In a study of products available in online dispensaries in 3 states with legal non-medical adult cannabis use, the average THC concentration was 22%, with a range of 0% to 45%.9 In addition, some methods of using cannabis (for example, dabbing and vaping concentrates) may deliver very high levels of THC to the user.610 Cannabis concentrates come in many different forms and may be called extract, butane hash oil, wax, shatter, butane honey oil (BHO), budder, taffy, and live resin.71112 People who have cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning. Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

What are the effects of secondhand exposure from cannabis smoke or vapor?

Research shows that behavioral interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management can be effective in treating cannabis use disorder.68 Read more about behavioral treatments for substance use disorders on the National Institute of Mental Health website. The use of cannabis during pregnancy may have harmful effects on a baby’s health after birth. Secondhand smoke from cannabis products has many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as secondhand tobacco smoke.54 In some environments, secondhand cannabis smoke can produce positive cannabis drug test results.55 One study in a well-ventilated coffee shop found low levels of THC in the blood of non-smoking bystanders.56

However, how a person engages with marijuana is an important factor as well. Experts are finding a link between the age you begin using cannabis and the likelihood that you’ll develop a dependence on it. Marijuana consumed in products made from marijuana extract, such as a solvent-based oil, contains between 54% and 69% THC—in some cases, exceeding 80%. Researchers are investigating if higher potency is the reason for an increase in emergency department visits by people testing positive for marijuana.

Other mental health considerations have been noted in people with cannabis dependence as well. A person may have withdrawal symptoms after stopping or significantly decreasing heavy or long-term cannabis use, even if they don’t have cannabis use disorder. Studies have estimated that 22% to 30% of people who use cannabis have the disorder.63,64 what are shrooms and other magic mushroom faqs The strongest predictor of cannabis use disorder is how often someone uses it, but other factors, like a family history of drug use and how long a person has been using cannabis, can also play a role.65

As many as 30 percent of people who use marijuana may experience marijuana use disorder. While some people can try and use marijuana without becoming addicted, it can also be addictive for some people. Like any drug used medicinally, the potential risks of use are weighed against the potential benefits when deciding what should and should not be tried. There are risks of use, even medicinally, and addiction is one of them. Cannabis—which can also be called marijuana —is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. You can consult your healthcare professional to see if this is a viable treatment option.

How Marijuana Addiction Develops

If you recognize these patterns, it may be time to consider quitting marijuana with professional support. Some people use it occasionally without any major problems. Some people might still go to work or school while using, but struggle with focus, memory, or motivation. Over time, they might need more weed to feel the same effects—or feel sick, anxious, or angry when they try to stop. Use profiles to select personalised content.

While it is possible to try and use the substance without becoming addicted, that is not the case for everyone. People can become addicted to marijuana. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

Suppose many more individuals substitute most alcohol with THC beverages. The company is now in phase-3 clinical trials for brenipatide and phase-2 trials for another drug, mazdutide. Unlike semaglutide or tirzepatide (designed primarily to treat type-2 diabetes), brenipatide is optimized for blood-brain barrier penetration and direct modulation of the reward circuitry.

THC and especially CBD interfere with liver enzymes, which can raise or lower many medication levels, including anticoagulants (warfarin, increasing bleeding risk), antiepileptics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and opioids. One study showed that cannabis users had about a six-fold increase in heart attack risk, four-fold increase in ischemic stroke risk, and double the heart-failure risk versus non-users. Would the change result in improved well-being, health, cardiovascular and vascular physiology, cognitive performance, and reduced long-term neurologic risks? GLPs are so promising for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) that pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is investing in a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist drug. Participants receiving cannabis containing 3.1% THC consumed about 19% less alcohol compared to placebo. After smoking, subjects were exposed to neutral cues and personalized alcohol cues before engaging in an alcohol self-administration task.