Contents
How Does Cannabis Affect Your Brain?
What Are the Positive Mental Effects of Weed?
Are There Any Adverse Effects to Marijuana?
Facts Worth Considering
Know Your Limits
Have you ever wondered how marijuana and its mental effects can affect your health?
As more people start growing cannabis seeds from home and using weed recreationally, it’s a question that’s becoming increasingly prevalent.
Some sources praise this misunderstood plant, while others give it a decidedly negative connotation. These mixed signals leave many people in the dark and unable to make an informed decision.
So how do you sift through the false narratives and sales jargon to get to the truth?
Keep reading as we unearth the potentially positive and negative implications marijuana has on your mental health.
Let’s get started.
How Does Cannabis Affect Your Brain?
Before looking at whether there’s a link between weed and mood disorders, it’s worth understanding how cannabis works.
Marijuana contains hundreds of different molecules that are collectively known as cannabinoids.
The most notable chemicals in weed are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The latter has become the focus of medical attention, while the former is famous for its psychoactive qualities.
Once consumed, these molecules enter your bloodstream and eventually bind to your brain’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. These chemicals then alter the communication between your neurotransmitters resulting in various mental and physical effects.
What Are the Positive Mental Effects of Weed?
Weed can affect your mental health in a number of positive ways when used in moderation, depending on your tolerance. Once the cannabinoids enter your brain, they trigger the release of endorphins, making you feel happy.
Many people report experiencing an uplifting sensation, helping them discard any negative thoughts. Some medical marijuana patients use these euphoric effects as a way of treating mental conditions like depression.
The cerebral effects of cannabis can also increase your productivity and motivation. Sativa-dominant strains have become popular for this reason, giving you a boost of energy to tackle your day with confidence.
Another positive link between cannabis and mental health is its ability to improve your focus. Many weed strains help clear your mind of unnecessary clutter and distractions, allowing you to pay full attention to a topic.
Marijuana can also eliminate any mental stress, calming you down while providing a fresh perspective to your situation.
Are There Any Adverse Effects to Marijuana?
So how does weed affect you emotionally in a negative manner?
There’s enough evidence to suggest consuming large quantities of cannabis with high THC can potentially lead to temporary adverse effects.
Some individuals report experiencing increased anxiety and paranoia after ingesting potent marijuana strains. These negative sensations can also trigger bouts of depression as you begin to dwell on unsavory thoughts.
Becoming disoriented and dizzy is another common side effect when people ingest too much weed. Concentrating on tasks gets harder as it alters your perception of time and may even lead to you feeling nauseous.
Others claim to experience a form of amnesia, having difficulty remembering small details or instructions. However, this short-term memory loss isn’t permanent, with people returning to their usual selves after 2–3 hours.
It’s worth mentioning that the intensity of these negative effects can vary depending on your tolerance.
Although these marijuana effects on your mood are only temporary, regular use can lead to further health issues.
Some users have reported having sleeping problems after using cannabis for long periods. Others claim to experience increased irritability and restlessness, affecting their mental health.
Facts Worth Considering
Limit research on weed and mental health means it’s difficult to say whether marijuana is definitively good or bad. Here’s what the world knows so far about this controversial plant.
There are over 400 different strains of marijuana, each with varying levels of THC and CBD. The former triggers psychoactive effects while the latter doesn’t.
Consuming any form of cannabis that contains THC is potentially addictive, with an average of one in ten people becoming dependent. On the other hand, CBD has shown to provide a plethora of medical benefits, both mentally and physically.
Growing or using cannabis recreationally is illegal in many places around the world, including the USA. Before you order any marijuana seeds, find out what states you can grow your own weed legally.
Know Your Limits
It’s fair to say there are a few positive links between marijuana and its mental effects that could benefit your brain. Misusing or overdoing it may also expose your mind to more adverse effects, such as increased anxiety, dizziness, and paranoia.
While these negative effects are only temporary, regular use of weed can lead to other unwanted symptoms. Some dependent people even claim to become restless without it and have trouble sleeping.
It would seem that cannabis has the potential to offer extraordinary benefits, but only when used correctly and respectfully. The key to protecting yourself from any of weed’s reported adverse effects is to know your limits.
So, how do you manage your relationship with cannabis to protect your mental health?
Jennifer Gallagher
Jennifer Gallagher, an experienced cannabis grower at SeedSupreme Seedbank. During a 7-year career in the marijuana growing business, Jennifer has gained a high competence in this field. As far as weed is concerned, she knows it all inside out. Jennifer is an expert in pot-growing, as well as cannabis types and their effects. She’s also familiar with all legislation nuances.
