how long do the behavioral/psychological effects of marijuana last?
How Long Do the Behavioral/Psychological Effects of Marijuana Last?
If you are wondering how long marijuana’s behavioral/psychological effects last, you’ve come to the right place. While the effects of marijuana use are not well-understood, studies have shown that it may impair certain cognitive functions. These functions include short-term memory, decision-making, and learning. The effects may continue to occur for days, weeks, or months after the high wears off. Heavy marijuana use during adolescence is linked to poor academic performance, higher dropout rates, and increased unemployment. Heavy marijuana use may even lead to depression and a sense of loss of reality. getting ny state medical marijuana card
The authors of the study looked at how marijuana affected participants’ executive functions. Their results were mixed. The results were not conclusive because the sample size was small, but some people have interpreted the findings based on the results of these studies. In addition, pro-marijuana groups have jumped on the study findings. For these reasons, it is crucial to further study marijuana use to determine if it affects memory.
While the effects of marijuana use may be short-term in nature, they can last for months or even years. Withdrawal symptoms are the result of an individual’s addiction to the drug. They include symptoms of restlessness, insomnia, decreased appetite, depression, increased anxiety, and other problems that are related to marijuana use. The withdrawal period can also include sleep problems and difficulty making decisions. A person who has a serious medical condition should contact a doctor before embarking on a marijuana-free journey.
A study conducted by Duke University highlights the risks of marijuana abuse over a long period of time. Heavy marijuana users experienced a drop in their IQ of about 8 points, a reduction compared to non-users. Those who began using the drug at a younger age and developed a dependency on it by age 20 showed less dopamine than non-users. However, this study’s results were not consistent across heavy users.
Inhalation causes a rapid and prolonged psychoactive effect, with peak effects lasting for 15 to 30 minutes and lasting up to four hours. These effects mimic the concentration of THC in plasma. A typical dose of cannabis can produce drug effects in a naive user after inhaling two to three milligrams. The pulmonary bioavailability of THC is 10 to 35 percent depending on the depth of inhalation, the length of breath held, and the type of inhalation used.
Studies on the long-term effects of marijuana have shown that regular users experience brain changes. According to Dr. Rocio Martin-Santos of the University of Barcelona, research from adolescents suggests that marijuana use causes structural changes to the brain. These changes affect the white matter, a layer in the brain that facilitates communication between neurons. These changes may persist even a month after a person stops smoking marijuana.
Moreover, marijuana users’ memory and cognitive functions are affected by chronic cannabis use. Long-term use of marijuana damages the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls short-term memory. This makes heavy cannabis users vulnerable to false memories. The long-term effects of marijuana use are detrimental to a person’s health. The risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other mental conditions increases as they age.