Frequently Asked Questions
Effects of Marijuana on Your Body
Marijuana may seem like a good way to relax after a long, stressful day; however, it is important to be educated about how this drug affects your body. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in North America with nearly 7% of Canadians aged 45-64 using the drug - and this number is on the rise!
Short Term Effects
• Euphoria
• Talkativeness
• Intensification of sensory experiences
• Difficulty concentrating
• Altered time perception
• Relaxation and drowsiness
• Impaired reaction time
Long Term Effects
• May trigger or aggravate psychiatric or mood disorders (schizophrenia, psychosis, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder)
• Increases risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, pneumonia and other lung conditions
• Decreases sperm count, concentration and motility
• Negatively affects cognition such as memory and judgement
• May lead to dependence/addiction:
Inability to control drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving the drug
Marijuana Myths
1. Marijuana doesn’t cause lung cancer
Though there is no proven link to suggest that marijuana smoke causes lung cancer, many studies suggest that smoking marijuana can increase your risk because:
• Marijuana inhalation tends to be deep and long
• No filter to limit tar intake
• Burns at a higher temperature which increases thermal injury in the lungs
• Hydrocarbon concentrations (toxins) are 50-70% higher than cigarettes
2. Marijuana will help me sleep
Marijuana helps you fall asleep faster, but decreases the REM cycle of your sleep which helps you feel restored! The REM cycle is especially important for sleep during menopause!
3. I’m okay to drive after using marijuana
Many studies suggest that marijuana impairs driving similar to that of a person driving with a blood alcohol content of >0.8 mg/ml. Marijuana hinders one’s ability to react appropriately to traffic and adjust to the speed of oncoming vehicles.
Marijuana Withdrawal
Many individuals can develop an addiction to marijuana. Be aware of the common symptoms of withdrawal:
• Bouts of anger or aggression
• Irritability and/or restlessness
• Anxiety
• Nightmares/strange dreams,
• Insomnia/sleep difficulties
• Headaches
• Decreased appetite or weight loss
• Depressed mood
• Physical symptoms such as chills, stomach pain, shakiness, and sweating
*Consult your doctor for tips for withdrawing if you are more than just an occasional user.
Tips to Quit:
• Make a list of reasons to quit and review them frequently
• Exercise and eat healthy foods. Taking care of your body helps it heal from the harmful effects of marijuana
• Consider not seeing friends who are still using marijuana
• Find new activities and goals to replace ones that involved your marijuana use
• Find other things to do with your hands such as clicking a pen or playing with string
• Give yourself a second to think and let the urge to smoke pass
• Drink water when you feel an urge
• Keep a positive attitude
*Long term effects may be largely, but not completely reversible if marijuana use is stopped
Learn More!
• Learn more about the effects of Marijuana by visiting http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/topics/Marijuana/Marijuana-Research/Pages/default.aspx
• Marijuana Anonymous - www.marijuana-anonymous.org
• Do the University of Notre Dame’s 30 Day Self-Help Guide to Quitting Marijuana which can be found at: http://mcwell.nd.edu/your-well-being/physical-well-being/drugs/marijuana-or-cannabis-sativa/quitting-marijuana-a-30-day-self-help-guide/
References
Bosker, W. M., Kuypers, K. C., Theunissen, E. L., Surinx, A., Blankespoor, R. J., Skopp, G., & ... Ramaekers, J. G. (2012). Medicinal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) impairs on-the-road driving performance of occasional and heavy cannabis users but is not detected in Standard Field Sobriety Tests. Addiction, 107(10), 1837-1844. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03928.x
Health Canada. Consumer information - cannabis (marihuana, marijuana). Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/info/cons-eng.php
Rx Files. (2014). Drug comparison charts (10th ed.).
Schierenbeck, T., Riemann, D., Berger, M., & Hornyak, M. (2008). Effect of illicit recreational drugs upon sleep: Cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 12(5), 381-389. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2007.12.004
Schoeler, T., Kambeitz, J., Behlke, I., Murray, R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2016). The effects of cannabis on memory function in users with and without a psychotic disorder: Findings from a combined meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 46(1), 177-188. doi:10.1017/S0033291715001646
Weiss, P. (2008). Oncology myths and legends. Does smoking marijuana contribute to the risk of developing lung cancer? Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12(3), 517-519. doi:10.1188/08.CJON.517-519
Created by Katie Cotter for:
Women’s Mid-life Health Program
Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing, March 2016
Marijuana may seem like a good way to relax after a long, stressful day; however, it is important to be educated about how this drug affects your body. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in North America with nearly 7% of Canadians aged 45-64 using the drug - and this number is on the rise!
Short Term Effects
• Euphoria
• Talkativeness
• Intensification of sensory experiences
• Difficulty concentrating
• Altered time perception
• Relaxation and drowsiness
• Impaired reaction time
Long Term Effects
• May trigger or aggravate psychiatric or mood disorders (schizophrenia, psychosis, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder)
• Increases risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, pneumonia and other lung conditions
• Decreases sperm count, concentration and motility
• Negatively affects cognition such as memory and judgement
• May lead to dependence/addiction:
Inability to control drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving the drug
Marijuana Myths
1. Marijuana doesn’t cause lung cancer
Though there is no proven link to suggest that marijuana smoke causes lung cancer, many studies suggest that smoking marijuana can increase your risk because:
• Marijuana inhalation tends to be deep and long
• No filter to limit tar intake
• Burns at a higher temperature which increases thermal injury in the lungs
• Hydrocarbon concentrations (toxins) are 50-70% higher than cigarettes
2. Marijuana will help me sleep
Marijuana helps you fall asleep faster, but decreases the REM cycle of your sleep which helps you feel restored! The REM cycle is especially important for sleep during menopause!
3. I’m okay to drive after using marijuana
Many studies suggest that marijuana impairs driving similar to that of a person driving with a blood alcohol content of >0.8 mg/ml. Marijuana hinders one’s ability to react appropriately to traffic and adjust to the speed of oncoming vehicles.
Marijuana Withdrawal
Many individuals can develop an addiction to marijuana. Be aware of the common symptoms of withdrawal:
• Bouts of anger or aggression
• Irritability and/or restlessness
• Anxiety
• Nightmares/strange dreams,
• Insomnia/sleep difficulties
• Headaches
• Decreased appetite or weight loss
• Depressed mood
• Physical symptoms such as chills, stomach pain, shakiness, and sweating
*Consult your doctor for tips for withdrawing if you are more than just an occasional user.
Tips to Quit:
• Make a list of reasons to quit and review them frequently
• Exercise and eat healthy foods. Taking care of your body helps it heal from the harmful effects of marijuana
• Consider not seeing friends who are still using marijuana
• Find new activities and goals to replace ones that involved your marijuana use
• Find other things to do with your hands such as clicking a pen or playing with string
• Give yourself a second to think and let the urge to smoke pass
• Drink water when you feel an urge
• Keep a positive attitude
*Long term effects may be largely, but not completely reversible if marijuana use is stopped
Learn More!
• Learn more about the effects of Marijuana by visiting http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/topics/Marijuana/Marijuana-Research/Pages/default.aspx
• Marijuana Anonymous - www.marijuana-anonymous.org
• Do the University of Notre Dame’s 30 Day Self-Help Guide to Quitting Marijuana which can be found at: http://mcwell.nd.edu/your-well-being/physical-well-being/drugs/marijuana-or-cannabis-sativa/quitting-marijuana-a-30-day-self-help-guide/
References
Bosker, W. M., Kuypers, K. C., Theunissen, E. L., Surinx, A., Blankespoor, R. J., Skopp, G., & ... Ramaekers, J. G. (2012). Medicinal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) impairs on-the-road driving performance of occasional and heavy cannabis users but is not detected in Standard Field Sobriety Tests. Addiction, 107(10), 1837-1844. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03928.x
Health Canada. Consumer information - cannabis (marihuana, marijuana). Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/info/cons-eng.php
Rx Files. (2014). Drug comparison charts (10th ed.).
Schierenbeck, T., Riemann, D., Berger, M., & Hornyak, M. (2008). Effect of illicit recreational drugs upon sleep: Cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 12(5), 381-389. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2007.12.004
Schoeler, T., Kambeitz, J., Behlke, I., Murray, R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2016). The effects of cannabis on memory function in users with and without a psychotic disorder: Findings from a combined meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 46(1), 177-188. doi:10.1017/S0033291715001646
Weiss, P. (2008). Oncology myths and legends. Does smoking marijuana contribute to the risk of developing lung cancer? Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12(3), 517-519. doi:10.1188/08.CJON.517-519
Created by Katie Cotter for:
Women’s Mid-life Health Program
Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing, March 2016
Improving Women's Lives Through Better Health in Mid-Life and Beyond
