Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that affects the brain and nervous system. It can cause disorientation, unpleasant thoughts or feelings of anxiety or paranoia with chronic use and especially in high doses.
It also can interfere with mood, memory, decision-making, learning and coordination. Heavy use can lead to addiction.
Increased heart rate
When you smoke marijuana, THC activates CB1 receptors that are located on the heart muscle and surrounding blood vessels. These CB1 receptors control your body’s reaction to stress, and they can also increase your heart rate.
This can happen because the THC in cannabis causes your blood vessels to expand, which increases blood flow and causes your heart to pump faster. This can increase your risk of a heart attack.
Similarly, THC can also increase your blood pressure by diluting the sodium in your blood and causing your heart to work harder. That may be why some studies suggest that frequent cannabis users are more likely to have a heart attack before age 50 than nonusers.
However, these effects are only temporary, and they don’t apply to heavy cannabis users who have a high tolerance for THC. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have with the effects of cannabis on your heart.
Researchers at the University of Guelph found that even mildly consuming cannabis can cause your heart rate to increase, but only for a few minutes after inhaling vapour. The study is a preliminary one, and it’s important to note that these results only pertain to young people. Eventually, the researchers plan to test older adults and those with CVD risks like stiffer blood vessels to see how these effects play out in people who are prone to heart disease.
Increased blood pressure
High blood pressure is a common health problem that can lead to serious complications like heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, it can usually be managed with diet and exercise.
Marijuana has been linked to increased blood pressure in a few studies, but experts aren’t sure whether it can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
In one study, researchers found that people who smoked marijuana once or more in the past 30 days had higher systolic blood pressure than people who never used weed. They also found that heavy users of the drug were 1.8 times more likely to have elevated blood pressure than people who had never smoked it.
There are a few possible explanations for the connection between cannabis use and elevated blood pressure. The first is that marijuana can cause orthostatic hypotension, or low blood pressure that comes on suddenly when someone stands up from a seated position.
The second is that marijuana can increase a person’s appetite, which can affect their food choices. This can lead to weight gain, another risk factor for high blood pressure.
The third is that marijuana can affect the nerves in the brain, which could lead to a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This is not a problem for most people, but it can be dangerous for those with diabetes or other medical conditions. Those who have high blood pressure should talk to their doctor before starting a marijuana regimen.
Increased blood sugar
The impact of cannabis on the blood sugar is often a concern for those with diabetes. Regardless of how you consume it (smoking, vaping, tinctures or capsules), you should always check your blood sugar and dose insulin accordingly.
The main ingredient in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. This substance is a psychoactive drug that causes a variety of mental effects, including relaxation, euphoria and enhanced creativity.
In a recent study, researchers found that THC lowers insulin concentrations in the body. They also found that it suppresses the levels of ghrelin, leptin and GLP-1.
However, the researchers point out that these effects may be due to a secondary effect of suppressed insulin levels, rather than the actual effects of THC.
In addition to this, chronic cannabis smoking impaired adipose tissue insulin sensitivity, which is important in glucose disposal and insulin action. The results suggest that cannabis might play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Increased appetite
In addition to the high that people get from smoking cannabis, they can also become ravenously hungry. These so-called “munchies” are caused by the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
THC activates a network of chemical receptors in the brain, which makes food taste better and triggers an involuntary desire to eat more. It is thought that THC does this by stimulating the endocannabinoid system, which controls mood, appetite and cravings.
However, it is not known how long these effects last. Depending on the type of cannabis you are using, you may feel hungry for up to an hour or more after consumption.
Choosing products with lower amounts of THC can help you avoid this side effect. Alternatively, try choosing varietals that are higher in CBD and less in THC.
The underlying cause of the munchies is not yet clear, but researchers think it may be linked to dopamine, a chemical that promotes pleasure. When dopamine levels are high, people may crave salty, sweet or fatty carbohydrates.
Marijuana can also increase blood sugar, and it may be helpful for those with certain medical conditions that cause loss of appetite. For example, AIDS patients who have low blood sugar or who are on chemotherapy might benefit from taking dronabinol (Marinol) to boost their appetite. It also appears to be effective in reducing nausea, which is a common problem for those suffering from HIV.
Increased nervousness
Aside from the physical effects of cannabis on the heart and blood vessels, THC is also known to increase feelings of nervousness. This is thought to be due to the intoxication of THC which can lead to racing thoughts and an increased sense of nervousness.
While the impact of cannabis on anxiety is still unclear, research has shown that CBD can reduce symptoms of anxiety at low and high doses. These results are likely due to how both THC and CBD work on the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system.
If you’re interested in using marijuana to help manage your anxiety, start with a product that contains a higher ratio of CBD to THC. This can make your anxiety symptoms much more tolerable.
For example, a recent study found that people with social anxiety disorder (SAD) experienced significantly less increases in their VAS scores after ingesting CBD than a placebo. This was true for both frequent users and those who used it regularly.
In addition, researchers found that CBD reduced blood pressure in both groups. This is likely a result of how both THC and CBD interact with the CB1 receptor in the brain, which can also affect heart rate and blood pressure.
It’s also important to note that the effect of cannabis on anxiety depends on the person’s tolerance for THC and how they consume it. It’s important to start with a small dose and go slowly, especially if you’re new to using cannabis.
Increased anxiety
The impact of cannabis on the nervous system can lead to an increase in anxiety. This can be particularly true for people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness.
The psychoactive component of marijuana is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can cause a feeling of panic and paranoia. Researchers are not sure why THC triggers these feelings, but it is thought to be related to the endocannabinoid system in the body.
Studies have shown that THC can make you feel anxious and afraid, even in low doses. This can also aggravate the symptoms of anxiety disorders in people who already have them.
For instance, one study found that mice who received 10 mg of THC had decreased socio-positive behaviours. This is thought to be due to the activation of cannabinoid receptors in the brain that regulate emotions.
Another study found that the use of THC can cause increased anxiety in women, and can exacerbate the symptoms of depression in men. The researchers also found that adolescents are more impacted by THC than adults, which is thought to be because they have more sensitive brains.
Those who suffer from anxiety should seek help as soon as possible. Treatments such as counselling and prescription medication can help to control these symptoms. It’s important to note, however, that these methods are not always effective. For this reason, many people find relief by using marijuana.
