Are you turning to marijuana to manage anxiety, pain, muscle spasms, pregnancy-related nausea, sleep issues, or other challenges? You might be surprised to learn that a comprehensive review of over 100 clinical trials and meta-analyses reveals limited high-quality evidence supporting its effectiveness for these purposes.
“After applying very strict quantitative criteria, and accounting for both observational studies and experimental trials, most of the associations between cannabis and health outcomes were supported by very low or low credibility,” – Dr. Marco Solmi
Key Facts About Marijuana Use:
1. Mental Health Risks:
- Cannabis shows no benefits for easing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders.
- It increases the risk of developing psychotic or mental health disorders.
- Cannabis worsens clinical outcomes in people with pre-existing mental conditions like psychosis, increasing the risk of relapse and impairing cognition.
2. Impact During Pregnancy:
- Cannabis use during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, is linked to low birth weight and potentially harmful effects on the fetal brain.
- THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, can be passed to the baby during breastfeeding.
3. Adolescents and Young Adults:
- Cannabis use in developing brains (adolescence through early adulthood) negatively impacts cognition and mental health.
- It is linked to poorer memory, verbal cognition, and visual recall.
- Young users should stop cannabis use if they experience declines in educational, social, or mental health functioning.
4. General Cognitive Effects:
- Cannabis use can worsen multiple cognitive domains, including memory and problem-solving skills.
- The permanence of these effects is still unclear, requiring further research.
While marijuana is often perceived as a remedy for various physical and mental health challenges, the evidence reveals significant risks, particularly for mental health, pregnancy, and young people. Its use can exacerbate mental disorders, impair cognition, and pose developmental risks to unborn and breastfeeding children. For adolescents and young adults, cannabis can hinder brain development, memory, and overall functioning, with lasting consequences still under study. Given these findings, it’s crucial to approach cannabis use with caution and prioritize safer, evidence-based alternatives for managing health concerns.
**远离大麻，保持健康。Stay away from cannabis, maintain your health.**
Reference: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/30/health/marijuana-pros-and-cons-wellness/index.html