Does cannabis damage mental health?

Harm associated with using cannabis depends predominantly on two factors. The first, age. People that use cannabis before the age of 18 are more likely to reduce synaptic pruning, which is when old neural connections are deleted, reducing interference between neurons.

 

Without pruning, the speed and quantity of neural connection is reduced. It also causes loss of grey matter, responsible for learning, impulse control and decision making.

 

The second, is type of use. The regularity, quantity, and dosage all have an effect in increasing the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ingested. THC is cannabis’ key psychoactive element, affecting parts of the brain responsible for regulation of emotional experiences.

 

Therapist David Cross said, “The link between cannabis use, depression and anxiety is very difficult to evidence as it’s hard to distinguish whether the cause is marijuana or other sociological variables.

"Cannabis is used for its' relaxing effects. But for some people, cannabis causes anxiety or paranoia. These irregularities restrict definitive research.”

Sabine Parker is a regular cannabis user, she said, “Cannabis is medication for my anxiety, for my stress. I get asked whether I think my cannabis use worsens my anxiety, but I had anxiety long before I started using, and the effects have only ever been to suppress and dampen my anxiety and ADHD.”

 

Cannabis was the most common substance reported by young people in treatment, with involvement in 91% of all treatment. With mental health brought increasingly into the spotlight and the cannabis legalisation movement rapidly gaining momentum, perhaps it’s time to get some real answers on their relationship.