Category: Marijuana

Eight Startling Effects of Marijuana Use You Need to Know

There is a popular misconception that marijuana use is just a harmless recreational activity, but recent studies have shed light on the serious risks associated with it.

Here are eight startling effects of marijuana use that you need to know.

1. Decreased Birthweight and Impaired Brain Development: A study published in the journal Frontiers In Pediatrics revealed that marijuana use during pregnancy can reduce a newborn’s birthweight by approximately one-third of a pound. Lower birthweight is linked to health problems and developmental delays as children grow. Additionally, the study found that babies exposed to marijuana in the womb may have smaller head circumferences, indicating inadequate brain development during pregnancy.

2. Increased Risk of Infant Mortality and Preterm Birth: Research from California highlighted that infants born to heavy marijuana-using mothers were 35% more likely to die within the first year of birth. Infants also faced a higher risk of being born prematurely, having low birth weight, and being small for their gestational age.

3. Impaired Cognitive Function and Memory: Marijuana use can negatively impact cognitive function, memory, and attention, particularly among teenagers and young adults. Studies have shown that regular use of marijuana can lead to impaired cognitive abilities, hindering academic and professional performance.

4. Coordination and Motor Skills Impairment: Marijuana use may affect coordination and motor skills, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Impaired motor skills can impact daily activities and compromise safety, especially when operating vehicles or engaging in tasks requiring precise movements.

5. Association with Heart Diseases: The American Heart Association warns that marijuana use is scientifically linked to heart diseases. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that frequent marijuana users under the age of 45 were approximately twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack compared to non-users.

6. Lung Damage and Chronic Respiratory Issues: Smoking marijuana regularly has been associated with chronic cough and increased phlegm production. The American Lung Association unequivocally states that “Smoking marijuana clearly damages the human lung,” underscoring the harm it does to respiratory health.

7. Increased Risk of Schizophrenia and Psychotic Episodes: Heavy marijuana use has been linked to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. A study published in The Lancet highlighted that using marijuana with high levels of THC was associated with an elevated risk of psychosis. Another study published in the same journal found that marijuana with THC levels exceeding 10% increased the odds of experiencing a psychotic episode.

8. Rise in Self-Harm Rates: In states where commercial marijuana sales were legalized, a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed a disturbing 46% increase in self-harm rates among men aged 21 to 39. This suggests a potential correlation between marijuana availability and self-destructive behavior.

Marijuana use isn’t just a “recreational” activity. From the risks to fetal development to cognitive impairment, heart diseases, and mental health issues, one thing is clear: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Hurts Unborn Children: New Study

A study published Tuesday in the journal Frontiers In Pediatrics found marijuana use during pregnancy could decrease a newborn’s birthweight by approximately one-third of a pound.

Decreased birthweight is associated with health problems and developmental delays as children mature.

The study also found newborns exposed to marijuana in utero suffered from smaller head circumference. Smaller head circumference could indicate inadequate brain development during pregnancy.

Researchers analyzed medical records from 109 pregnant women who delivered at an obstetrics clinic at Central Michigan’s College of Medicine. Marijuana use was medically verified. This data was compared with the information of 171 women who did not use marijuana and served as the control group.

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana use is not a harmless recreational activity. The risks to fetal development — including low birth weight and impaired brain development — underscore that fact.

And this actually is not the first study to suggest that marijuana use during pregnancy may pose serious risks for unborn children. 

A 2021 study out of California found infants were 35% more likely to die within a year of birth if their mother used marijuana heavily, and that infants were more likely to be born preterm, have a low birth weight, and be small for their gestational age.

Besides harming unborn children, marijuana use can impair cognitive function, memory, and attention — especially for teens and young adults.

Research also indicates marijuana use may affect coordination and motor skills — potentially increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Marijuana use is scientifically linked to heart diseases, according to the American Heart Association.

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found adults under age 45 who frequently use marijuana are roughly twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack as adults who do not use marijuana.

Smoking marijuana on a regular basis is associated with chronic cough and phlegm production. The American Lung Association writes simply that, “Smoking marijuana clearly damages the human lung.”

An NIH study published this year found young men who use marijuana heavily are at an increased risk of developing schizophrenia.

A 2022 study published in The Lancet determined that using marijuana with high levels of THC was linked to an increased risk of psychosis.

A 2021 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found self-harm rates rose 46% among men ages 21 to 39 in states where commercial marijuana sales were legalized.

A 2019 study published in The Lancet found using marijuana with THC levels exceeding 10% increased the odds of a person suffering a psychotic episode.

The list goes on and one.

All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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