Can Weed Trigger or Worsen Health Problems? Risks, Benefits and the WHO's View

Yes, weed can trigger or worsen some health problems, especially with heavy use or in vulnerable people: it's been linked to psychosis and schizophrenia in those predisposed, dependence, respiratory issues from smoking, cognitive effects in teens and car crashes when people drive high. At the same time, cannabis has been used for centuries for recreational, medical and spiritual purposes, and in recent decades interest in its medical potential has grown to the point that many places around the world have legalized it for therapeutic use. Here's how the risks and benefits stack up.

Health problems linked to marijuana use:

Cannabis is considered relatively safe compared with some other substances, but it isn't risk-free, especially for certain groups of people and when it's overused. Some diseases and conditions that have been linked to marijuana use include:

1. Psychosis and mental disorders: Researchers have observed a link between cannabis use and psychosis, which can include symptoms like hallucinations and paranoia. In some people, weed can trigger or worsen mental disorders like schizophrenia.
2. Dependence: Frequent use can lead to psychological dependence. Some people find it hard to control how much they use and get withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit.
3. Respiratory problems: Smoking weed can cause respiratory problems similar to tobacco, like a chronic cough, bronchitis and lung damage.
4. Cognitive problems: Cannabis use, especially during adolescence, has been linked to effects on cognitive function, which can affect learning and memory.
5. Driving high: Weed can impair a person's ability to drive safely, which raises the risk of car crashes.

Does marijuana have health benefits?

It's worth pointing out that cannabis has also shown medical benefits for certain conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the therapeutic potential of some cannabis compounds and has called for research and regulated access to medical cannabis.

Some conditions and symptoms medical cannabis is often used for include:

1. Pain management: Cannabis may help relieve chronic pain, especially in cancer patients or people with conditions that cause severe pain.
2. Nausea and vomiting: It can help reduce the nausea and vomiting that come with chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
3. Neurological disorders: Some neurological disorders, like epilepsy and Dravet syndrome, can respond well to medical cannabis.

The relationship between cannabis and health is complicated. Weed has potential medical benefits, but it's also tied to health risks, especially with heavy use and in vulnerable groups. Cannabis use, particularly for medical purposes, should be supervised by healthcare professionals and follow local laws and regulations. As with any substance, it's important to make informed decisions and weigh both the potential benefits and the health risks.

What does the WHO say about marijuana?

The World Health Organization has looked into the use of cannabis and its compounds and has put out several reports and statements on the subject. Here's a summary of what the WHO has said about marijuana:

1. Medical use: The WHO has recognized the therapeutic potential of some cannabis compounds. In particular, it has highlighted cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, as promising for treating a range of medical conditions. The WHO has stated that CBD doesn't appear to have potential for abuse or to harm public health.
2. Associated risks: The WHO has also pointed out that cannabis use comes with several health risks, especially when it's overused. These can include mental health problems like psychosis, substance use disorders and respiratory problems.
3. The need for research: The WHO has called for more scientific research on cannabis and its compounds. It acknowledges that the evidence is limited on many aspects of its use and that more research is needed to fully understand both its benefits and its risks.
4. Proper regulation: The WHO has also stressed how important it is to regulate cannabis properly, especially for medical use. It suggests regulation and oversight should be proportional to the risks involved and grounded in scientific evidence.
5. Telling the compounds apart: The WHO distinguishes between the different compounds in cannabis and suggests they don't all carry the same risks or benefits. For example, CBD is considered less risky than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound in weed that gets you high.

In short, the WHO recognizes that cannabis and its compounds have potential uses in medicine, but it also stresses the need for proper regulation and oversight. The organization is pushing for more research to better understand the health risks and benefits of cannabis.

Which is more harmful, tobacco or marijuana?

Comparing the risks and harm of tobacco and marijuana is tricky, because both have significant negative effects on health. Here's a general comparison of some of the most relevant points:

1. Lung health:
   • Tobacco: Smoking tobacco is one of the leading causes of lung disease, like lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tobacco smoke contains loads of toxic and cancer-causing substances.
   • Marijuana: Smoking weed can also damage your lungs, since cannabis smoke contains irritants and carcinogens. However, some studies suggest the lung cancer risk may be lower than with tobacco, mainly because of different usage patterns (people who smoke weed usually smoke far fewer joints a day than tobacco smokers smoke cigarettes).
2. Addiction:
   • Tobacco: The nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, and lots of people struggle to quit.
   • Marijuana: Weed isn't as addictive as nicotine, but some people can become dependent on it, especially if they use it regularly.
3. Mental effects:
   • Tobacco: Nicotine doesn't have a major psychoactive effect, but quitting can bring on withdrawal symptoms like irritability and anxiety.
   • Marijuana: Cannabis contains THC, a psychoactive compound that can affect cognition and mental function, especially at high doses. It can trigger or worsen mental health problems in some people.
4. Social impact:
   • Tobacco: Tobacco is legal in most places, but secondhand smoke can also harm the people around you.
   • Marijuana: The legal status and social acceptance of weed vary by location. In some places, recreational or medical use is legal.

So both tobacco and marijuana carry health risks, but the specific risks and how serious they are can differ. Ideally, you'd steer clear of anything that harms your health altogether. Choosing between tobacco and weed comes down to several factors, including legal status and personal preference, but both can take a toll on your physical and mental health.