Do you know how marijuana can affect the body? Is marijuana really harmless, as the culture can portray?

Marijuana impairs the brain and central nervous system, which impacts thinking, mood, memory, and coordination. Additionally, it clogs the synapses between the nerve cells, which ‘slows’ the transfer of information in your brain. Marijuana has a significant impact on perception, thinking, and reality. It can contribute to poor concentration, mental confusion, loss of motivation, wide mood swings, aggression/hostility, and increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and paranoia.

As many have observed, marijuana use can impact the appearance of the eyes, making them look sleepy, bloodshot, and glassy, and can dilate the pupils.

Marijuana use can increase your heart rate by 50%, which can impact blood pressure and pose a greater risk to those with hypertension and heart disease.

Marijuana impacts the throat and lungs as one would expect, leading to damage and increased risk of cancer, inflammation, and infection. Did you know that marijuana has twice as much tar as cigarette smoking?

Marijuana has a tremendous impact on the endocrine and reproductive system. The endocrine system is damaged, including a network of glands, organs, and hormones that impact growth, energy levels, and reproduction. Organs and glands include pituitary glands, thyroid glands, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, adrenal glands, and testis. Can you feel these organs and glands? Do you know what the endocrine system controls? This system impacts, dysregulates, and disrupts appetite, sleep, energy, motivation, and mood patterns, to name a few. 

Males' and females’ reproductive systems are especially vulnerable to the impact of marijuana use during the years of puberty, as it impacts the hormone levels needed in sexual development. 

Furthermore, marijuana use in males can decrease and degenerate sperm, as well as lower sex drive. Females can have egg damage, suppression of ovulation, disruption in ovulation, and menstrual cycles.

Regular marijuana use during pregnancy can lead to lower birth weight and other abnormalities similar to fetal alcohol syndrome (small head, irritability, poor growth, and development throughout childhood and adolescence). Additionally, marijuana use can impact chromosomal numbers and can even result in cell abnormalities and impaired functioning. 

Lastly, like many substances, marijuana can depress the immune system, interfering with the body’s ability to protect itself from invading bacteria, viruses, chemicals, foreign particles, parasites, fungal microorganisms, and other infections (including cancer growth). 

Are you or someone you love concerned about your marijuana use? Or are you concerned about a loved one’s use of marijuana? Please reach out for more help at www.bareitercc.comsh to make an appointment.



By Kara Watson-Cuellar

MA, LCAS, LCMHC