Marijuana is a plant that can be smoked or eaten to introduce a substance called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into the body. THC causes sedation, relaxation, and mild hallucinations. While it is not physically addictive, it can cause physical dependency that may be difficult for some users to overcome. Further, smoking weed can cause acne by impacting skin health and contributing to factors that lead to acne breakouts. For some, this connection raises questions about whether marijuana causes acne and how its use might worsen existing skin issues.
Addressing these concerns may involve exploring effective acne treatments and understanding the various causes of acne to better manage skin health.
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How Marijuana Affects the Body
Like any psychoactive substance, marijuana does not just influence the user’s mood. The body can experience significant changes in both its hormonal content and its immune response. These changes can contribute to skin conditions, including acne, as the body’s chemical composition shifts, creating favorable conditions for the development of this common skin condition.
Let’s look at the hormonal response. Research has shown that the use of cannabis increases testosterone levels in the body. This hormone, which also surges naturally during puberty, is responsible for increasing oil levels in the skin and impeding the normal opening of pores. Together, these two factors are a perfect recipe for acne, making cannabis use a potential contributor to skin problems.
THC also affects the immune system. There is evidence that cannabis suppresses the immune system, making it easier for infections to persist. This suppression means that a small area of infection in a pore can more easily escalate to a full-blown pimple because the body’s immune system is less capable of clearing the infection before it becomes a large, swollen blemish.
It’s easy to see how these factors come together. High testosterone causes a pore to fill with oil. Because the pore is constricted, the oil cannot drain properly. This causes the pore to become infected, and once the suppressed immune system fails to clear the infection, the blemish worsens. If you’re struggling with acne that may be linked to marijuana use, consulting a dermatologist or seeking advice from a dermatology professional can help you better understand and manage these issues.
How Does THC’s Influence on Behavior Link to Acne?
We know that marijuana use causes forgetfulness, increased appetite, low motivation, stress, and poor sleeping routines. All these factors can play a role in worsening acne.
When you use marijuana and start to become forgetful, you will probably be less conscientious about self-care. You may forget to wash your face properly or take medications you’ve been prescribed for the control of acne. Consequently, your cognitive impairments can have direct effects on your appearance.
Your greater appetite, i.e. the “munchies”, will likely not steer you toward fruits or vegetables. Instead, you’ll probably pursue greasy, high-carb foods to satisfy your cravings, none of which will be beneficial to your skin health. Soda, alcohol, and other drinks consumed instead of water or healthy juices will also displace the nutrients needed to support healthy skin.
The sluggish, “baked” behavior linked to marijuana use will also have other implications for your skin. You may be less likely to remove makeup before bed, or you may not exercise as much as you should. This altered mood may also make you less concerned about addressing your health or maintaining your appearance.
While many people view marijuana as a tool for fighting off stress, it typically creates far more than it relieves. Use of marijuana can have you on edge about being caught purchasing the illicit substance, or it can put you under financial stress as you try to fund a growing cannabis habit. Your impaired mind could leave you performing poorly at work, school, or with your family, making you worry about how to sustain those important activities and relationships. This high level of stress will aggravate acne and impair your health in general.
Finally, the weird hours you keep when using marijuana will cause you to lose track of your normal routines of skin care, exercise, and good nutrition, fostering the development of acne.
The Indirect Link to Acne
What other factors in your marijuana use can impact your skin health? One that is often not noticed is the route of consumption. Scientific research has shown that smoking marijuana hardens and thickens the skin, which supports the development of acne. This includes your entire face, from chin to forehead and left cheek to right cheek, and it occurs whether you’re smoking it in a rolled form or through a bong or other delivery device. If the smoke contacts your skin, you’ll see these effects.
Another variable is the amount of marijuana you use, both the quantity in a single smoking or eating session and the frequency of those sessions. These physiological effects are more clearly visible with more frequent consumption, so curbing use may show you some positive results in your appearance that should encourage you to quit altogether. Scientific evidence supports the idea that reducing marijuana use can positively impact overall skin health and acne prevention.
How to Manage Acne
Apart from setting aside marijuana, there are some simple steps you can take to manage your acne and improve your skin health.
1. Maintain a Skincare Routine
- Wash your face regularly with a quality cleanser that removes oil production buildup, dirt, and dead skin cells.
- Use products with anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and swelling.
- Ensure the cleanser can help unclog hair follicles and open pores, preventing blackheads and whiteheads from forming.
- Consider a topical treatment to address excess sebum production from overactive sebaceous glands.
2. Watch Your Diet
- Avoid foods high in carbohydrates, which can contribute to hormonal fluctuations that exacerbate acne.
- Focus on fresh produce and lean proteins that support skin health, including those that promote collagen production for skin elasticity.
- Drink plenty of water instead of soda or alcohol to keep your skin hydrated and improve its natural ability to balance sebum.
3. Manage Hormones and Stress
- Acne can worsen due to hormonal imbalances such as elevated testosterone levels or fluctuations in overall hormone levels caused by hormonal changes or stress levels.
- Practice stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness or exercise to regulate your body’s concentrations of stress hormones.
4. Consult a Doctor
- Discuss your acne with your doctor or dermatologist. They may recommend topical treatments, medications, or advanced therapies to help clear your skin.
- Be honest about any cannabis use, including vaping, as this can contribute to clogged pores and excess sebum.
- Even the best pharmaceuticals cannot counteract a lifestyle that allows acne to form easily, so a holistic approach, including dietary and behavioral changes, will be essential.
The Illinois Recovery Center’s Strategy toward Holistic Health
At Illinois Recovery Center, we do not believe that any aspect of your life functions in a vacuum. Your body affects your mind, your mind affects your spirit, and your spirit affects your emotions. With a situation like marijuana use, there is no success to be found in addressing just one of those areas. This is why our approach integrates wellness, addiction treatment, and mental health care to create lasting change.
When you pursue treatment with us, we will take an approach that is holistic – that is, it simultaneously works to improve your body, mind, emotions, and spirit in a way that empowers you to eliminate negative behaviors of all kinds, not just your marijuana use. This includes addressing lifestyle factors, such as reducing unhealthy foods and promoting habits that support both physical and mental well-being.
Take Control of Your Life Today!
Acne is just one negative side effect of marijuana use. If you or a loved one are ready to get help with all the problems that have come from your cannabis consumption, Illinois Recovery Center would love to show you how our holistic approach can address not just your cannabis use but also its root causes and side effects. Contact us today to start your journey to health and wellness.
