How Smoking Weed Every Day Can Cause Serious Side Effects To The User

With marijuana being legalized in more states, it’s not surprising that usage rates are rising. Marijuana is one of the most commonly used and abused substances today, but this plant is much more dangerous than one may think. Legal pot shops popping up all over make this harmful drug much easier to access.

Just like any other illegal substance, marijuana can lead to detrimental complications. Not only could it lead to addiction and dependency, but it may also leave individuals with lasting health problems.

With marijuana being easy for most people ages 21 and older to acquire, more and more people are smoking daily. After all, it wouldn’t be legal if it were safe to use daily, right? Well, that’s not exactly correct. Smoking marijuana daily can seriously affect a person’s mind and body. This can lead to health problems and difficulties within their personal and professional relationships. Only once the addiction has run its course can one’s life get back on track.

Side Effects of Smoking Weed Everyday

Due to the federal ban on research related to smoking weed, there is little research into the question of how dangerous it is to smoke weed daily. There are even scant studies on how using it often may correlate to effects that aren’t present in non-smokers or those who only partake on rare occasions. While barely statistically relevant and limited in scope, these effects tend to point towards smoking weed daily, affecting memory.

In some studies, tests were administered to those who admitted to smoking weed every day, while the same tests were administered to those who claimed to only smoke once in a while, or even not at all, and the results were compared. The tasks involved word lists that were to be memorized for subsequent recitation. The study found that the users who claimed to be non-smokers or those who only consumed weed on rare occasions were able to remember more words when compared to those who smoked weed regularly.

There have also been additional indications that users who smoke weed every day for many years are prone to having a more challenging time completing cognitive tests than users who reported that they did not smoke weed at all or once in a while.

How Smoking Weed Everyday Can Be a Sign of Addiction

When determining whether or not you are addicted to marijuana, one of the biggest signs is consuming it daily. Some heavy users even report using multiple times per day, sometimes as early as when they wake up in the morning. Those who consume weed daily likely have a psychological dependency on it. With a dependency, the individual’s brain will now rely on marijuana for the brain to function at an optimal level. If you suspect that you or a loved one have developed an addiction, there are some signs that you may need help.

One of the most important things we can do is maintain our health to live long lives full of normal social interactions. When people choose to smoke weed daily, their relationships can suffer, leading to signs of mental illness and other mental health issues. Marijuana is a depressant and can impact all aspects of your life.

Another way that daily marijuana use can indicate addiction is when individuals face financial hardships due to excessive use. Whether they’re spending all of their money on pot or missing out on work because they’re out using it instead of working, there are several ways pot use can impact someone financially. This, combined with their failing relationships, can be sure signs that someone has a problem with daily weed use.

When an individual realizes that they have a problem, the next step is getting help. This can be hard for those that are used to smoking weed daily, but it is possible. The withdrawal symptoms will be uncomfortable but worth getting clean.

How To Get Help if Addicted To Smoking Weed Everyday

When you realize that you have been smoking weed daily and your personal life is starting to be affected by your drug use, it is time to get some help. Just because something is legal, it does not mean it is safe to use in excess. Even in moderation, the risk of getting addicted is still there.

There is hope if you or a loved one have been smoking weed daily. Many people don’t see pot as bad, but science tells a different tale. When someone uses marijuana daily, significant challenges involve helping them get clean. If you are to the point where you can’t quit on your own, reaching out to your doctor or working with a team of treatment professionals is a great way to get started on the path toward getting clean.

The detox and recovery process may seem overwhelming, but you do not have to tackle all of this alone. Having professionals on your side can help you get to the root of your addiction, whether it is trauma, mental health, or something else. You will also learn healthy coping techniques so that you don’t feel the need to turn back and return to the weed.

Inpatient treatments are available for those with a serious addiction that need constant access to their recovery team. Outpatient treatments are an excellent choice if you can do this while out and live at home. With the right detox program, therapy, and a strong support system, getting clean is something you can achieve.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and looking for a NYC Drug Rehab, the team at AscendantNY is here to help! Our treatment programs provide medication-assisted treatment so that you or your loved one will be as safe and comfortable as possible as you build the foundation for lifelong sobriety.

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Sources:

1. Sohn E. Weighing the dangers of cannabis. Nature. 2019;572(7771):S16-S18. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-02530-7
2. Laspada N, Delker E, Blanco E, et al. Marijuana use associated with worse verbal learning and delayed recall in a sample of young adults. Rev Med Chil. 2019;147(2):206-211. doi:10.4067/s0034-98872019000200206
3. Dahlgren MK, Sagar KA, Racine MT, Dreman MW, Gruber SA. Marijuana Use Predicts Cognitive Performance on Tasks of Executive Function. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2016;77(2):298-308. doi:10.15288/jsad.2016.77.298

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more