Potential Benefits and Risks of Cannabis
The risks of cannabis might outweigh its benefits in some situations.
Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM
Possible benefits of cannabis include alleviating anxiety, reducing nausea and vomiting, and treating migraines and seizures. Cannabis is a plant that contains several compounds, or cannabinoids, namely cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and THC are psychoactive compounds, but only THC creates a euphoric feeling, or a “high.”
There are different species of cannabis plants, such as Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. Cannabis that do not have significant THC levels are known as “hemp." People can consume cannabis in several ways, such as applying it topically and eating, smoking, or vaping it.
Read on to learn about the possible benefits and risks of cannabis, what forms are riskier, and why you might consider working with a healthcare provider before using it.
Standard Disclaimer
While cannabis legalization is increasingly common, there are still certain laws and situations where cannabis use may not be appropriate. Check your local laws, and understand that just because the substance may be legal in your area does not mean it is always the correct choice. Speak to a healthcare provider if you have any questions about cannabis use.
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Potential Benefits
Some people use cannabis to treat health conditions, including epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). Cannabis might reduce anxiety symptoms and chronic pain. Of note: There’s limited research on the medicinal benefits of cannabis, so talk to a healthcare provider before using it to treat a health condition.
1. May Help Anxiety
Cannabis smokers often report using the drug to relax or relieve emotional stress. A study published in 2017 found that a very low dose of THC helped lessen nerves ahead of a public speaking task.
The research "indicates cannabinoids could be helpful for people with anxiety," Emma Childs, PhD, the study's lead author and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told Health. Of note: That dose was equivalent to only a few puffs on a cigarette, per the researchers.
2. Can Relieve Chronic Pain
Some evidence suggests that cannabis may relieve pain. There is moderate evidence that strains of cannabis with high CBD levels help people with trouble sleeping due to chronic pain.
Cannabis might also calm pain and stiff, tight muscles in people with MS, which affects the brain and spinal cord. Research has found that people often use strains of cannabis with THC to ease nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy.
3. May Help Those With Epilepsy
A study published in 2018 found that CBD oil reduced seizures by 39% in children with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration approved CBD oil under the name Epidiolex in 2018. Epidiolex does not make people "high" since it does not contain THC. Experts advise against children and adolescents using THC due to its mind-altering effects.
4. May Be Safer Than Opioids
Research has found that cannabis might help people recover from opioid addiction. A study published in 2016 noted 1,826 fewer daily doses of painkillers prescribed per year, on average, in states where the medical use of cannabis was legal compared to states where it was not.
The researchers argue that more studies are urgently needed. Still, human trials have been limited because of the classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug.
5. May Have Anti-Cancer Effects
THC and other cannabinoids may destroy or slow the growth of certain cancer cells. In a review published in 2019, researchers found that cannabinoids could slow tumor growth in different cancer models, including cancer cells in a petri dish. Of note: Those anticancer effects depend on the cancer type and drug dose.
Related: What Are the Health Benefits of CBD—Cannabidiol?
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Some people have raised concerns about the risks and safety of cannabis. Cannabis use might increase the risk of respiratory complications and vehicular accidents. Adolescents who use cannabis, especially products with high THC levels, are likelier to develop cannabis use disorder than others.
1. May Aggravate Anxiety
Not everyone has pleasant experiences with cannabis, such as euphoric and relaxing feelings. Some may develop intense anxiety and panic. There are several strains of cannabis. A person might develop unpleasant feelings if they use cannabis with a high THC potency.
Those feelings might occur if someone is inexperienced or uses too much THC. Using large doses of THC may increase the risk of acute psychosis.
Psychosis symptoms may include:
A decline in school or work performance
A lack of motivation
A lack of personal hygiene
An inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality
Anxiety
Confused speech
Difficulty thinking clearly
Paranoia
Spending more time alone than usual
Trouble sleeping
More research is needed to figure out the appropriate dosages and delivery methods to prevent aggravating anxiety, said Childs.
2. Poses Risks During Pregnancy
Experts advise against using strains of cannabis with THC while trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. THC might harm a developing fetus. For example, pregnant people who use THC may have a 2.3 times greater risk of stillbirth than others.
Some evidence suggests a link between cannabis use during pregnancy and future developmental and hyperactivity disorders in children. Current parents might consider using cannabis with caution. A study published in 2019 found that people tend to cut back on cannabis use once they have children but do not always quit.
The analyses found that children's self-reported cannabis use from ages 10–21 related to their parents' lifetime cannabis use. Children of chronic cannabis users were likelier to exhibit externalizing behavior and lower grades, report more favorable views on cannabis, and use cigarettes than others.
3. Increases Risk of Heart Attack
Strains of cannabis with THC sometimes raise blood pressure and heart rate and reduce the blood's capacity to carry oxygen. As a result, some evidence suggests that heart attack risk during the first hour after smoking cannabis with THC is nearly five times the usual risk.
A review published in 2017 noted a tenfold increase in the THC content of cannabis over the previous ten years. The researchers found an increase in the widespread availability of highly potent THC use. Those factors led to a rise in heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers noted that cannabis use might increase the risk of other heart-related incidents, such as:
Arrhythmia: An irregular heartbeat
Cardiac arrest: An event in which the heart suddenly stops working
Cardiomyopathy: Heart disease that affects the muscles in the heart
4. Impairs Driving Ability
Strains of cannabis with THC can impair judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. Cannabis is among the most frequent illicit drugs in drivers' blood during vehicle crashes, including fatal ones. A review published in 2021 found an increased crash risk after acute cannabis use.
Still, tests might detect cannabis in bodily fluids for days to weeks after use. Some people might combine cannabis with alcohol, which also impairs driving.
5. Can Harm Lungs
Research has found that vaping is more likely to cause lung damage than smoking cannabis with long-term use. The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to stop using THC vaping products amid more than 1,000 reports of lung injuries. Some of those injuries resulted in deaths following the use of vaping products.
Cannabis smoke can irritate the lungs and throat, raising the risk of severe lung problems, such as:
Asthma: A breathing disorder that causes the airways in your lungs to narrow and swell
Bronchitis: A type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that causes the airways that deliver air to and from your lungs to swell
Emphysema: A type of COPD that damages the air sacs in your lungs, making it hard to breathe
Cannabis contains tar and volatile chemicals that are present in tobacco smoke. Some evidence suggests that smoking cannabis poses a potential risk of lung cancer. Still, the link between cannabis and lung cancer is not conclusive.
6. Poses Risks for Adolescents
Regular THC use among adolescents may have harmful, long-lasting effects on their cognitive development. Strains of cannabis with THC might impair attention and memory. As a result, adolescents might have poor school or work performance. Cannabis use during adolescence may lead to an increased risk of addiction or problematic use later in life.
7. Can Cause Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) causes cyclical abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting after using cannabis. A study published in 2019 found that 18.4% of study participants who inhaled cannabis visited the emergency room. The researchers noted that 8.4% of those who ate edible cannabis visited the emergency room with CHS symptoms.
It's possible to use cannabis for years without having symptoms of CHS. Still, symptoms tend to stick around as long as you use cannabis once you develop them. Stopping cannabis use is the only way to alleviate CHS symptoms, but it takes time.
"We know that if you stop smoking, you get better, but it takes days to weeks," Joseph Habboushe, MD, an emergency medicine physician based in New York, told Health.
8. May Become a Gateway Drug
Some evidence suggests that cannabis use is a "gateway drug." In other words, cannabis is likely to precede the use of other licit and illicit substances.
Gateway drug use might raise the risk of addiction to other substances. For example, research has found that adults who used strains of cannabis with THC were likelier to develop an alcohol use disorder (AUD) within three years than others.
Looking for support?
Resources are available if you or someone you love has cannabis use disorder or shows signs and symptoms of addiction. Call the number below to reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hotline.
Are Some Forms Riskier Than Others?
There are several ways to consume cannabis, such as in edibles (i.e., brownies or candy), drinking it in tea, or smoking it in bongs, hand-rolled cigarettes, or pipes. Each form has dangers, some riskier than others.
For example, smoking cannabis irritates your lungs and throat and may raise your risk of chronic bronchitis or lung cancer. Using a vaporizer to keep yourself from inhaling smoke might make smoking cannabis less risky than normal.
Consuming cannabis in edibles or teas eliminates the risk of respiratory complications. Still, some evidence suggests that people often consume more cannabis than they intend because of delayed effects. Typically, cannabis takes 30 minutes to one hour to move through your digestive system and be effective. Consuming too much cannabis may increase the risk of negative side effects.
Dabbing and vaping are other popular ways to consume cannabis. Dabbing involves smoking dangerous amounts of THC-rich resins. People often prepare resins with lighter fluid, which raises the risk of severe burns. People who vape use an e-cigarette to inhale vapor rather than smoke, which increases the risk of lung injuries and death.
Why You Should Work With a Healthcare Provider
The benefits and risks of cannabis are often person-dependent. Consider talking to a healthcare provider before using cannabis, especially for treating a health condition. A healthcare provider can help you decide the safest dosages and methods of using cannabis.
For example, some people with anxiety might benefit from cannabis, while others may have worsened anxiety. Some evidence suggests that CBD products may be more beneficial for people with anxiety than others.
Similarly, cannabis may help treat alcohol and opioid use disorders in some people but raise the risk of addiction in others. About 9% to 30% of people who use strains of cannabis with high THC levels develop cannabis use disorder. Evidence is often conflicting, and research is limited on whether cannabis helps reduce alcohol and opioid use.
Related: Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds
A Quick Review
It's essential to know how cannabis may affect you if you use it. Cannabis helps treat some health conditions but may be harmful in other situations.
The effects of cannabis are often person-dependent, and the form (i.e., CBD or THC) and method of consuming cannabis may affect how you react to it. For example, dabbing, smoking, and vaping may be riskier than others since they damage the throat and lungs. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about cannabis use and its potential benefits and risks.
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