Whether you call it weed, cannabis, pot, or THC, there’s no denying that marijuana use has become increasingly acceptable in mainstream society in recent years. It’s been legalized for medical and recreational use in several states, and its use has been all but normalized even where it isn’t legal. It’s largely seen as “harmless” compared to many other drugs, but its use has still been linked to numerous health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cognitive issues, and a higher risk of stroke. These risks vary depending on how often marijuana is used and when that use began, but regular cannabis use still isn’t healthy.
Naturally, this also means that there are several benefits to giving up weed. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Table of Contents
Physical Health Benefits
Respiratory Health Improvements
Although weed is often thought to be safer to smoke than tobacco, it still contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens. It can still harm lung tissues and small blood vessels whether it is smoked from a joint, a bowl, or a bong. It can also increase the risk of bronchitis, coughing, mucus production, and even lung cancer.
In short, smoking anything – including marijuana – can harm your lungs. The good news is that the damage to your lungs and the symptoms associated with it improve if you quit smoking.
Enhanced Heart Health
Weed increases heart rate and blood pressure almost immediately after use. Not only does this increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, but it can also increase your risk of developing heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. It’s hard to determine whether these side effects are caused by the marijuana itself or the other chemicals present in marijuana smoke, but smoking weed is still as bad for your heart as it is for lung function. Naturally, this means that quitting weed will help lower your blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular system, which is good for your overall well-being.
Neurological Benefits
There’s no denying that smoking weed affects your cognitive abilities. The immediate effects of marijuana use include impaired motor coordination and an inability to solve problems, make plans, or remember things clearly. Long-term use can lead to impaired memory, depression, and an increased risk of developing psychosis in some marijuana users. This also means that quitting marijuana can improve your cognitive function overall, especially if you’re at risk of developing depression, schizophrenia, or other mental health issues.
Mental Health and Psychological Benefits
Emotional Stability
There is no evidence that marijuana use causes depression, but it can make depression symptoms worse. If you’ve been diagnosed with depression or have experienced any symptoms such as feelings of sadness, a lack of energy, or sleep disturbances, it might be a good idea to stay away from weed. The same goes for symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. It’s also worth noting that smoking weed increases cravings. Quitting weed obviously won’t make those conditions go away, but it might improve your emotional stability enough for you to receive the proper treatment.
Reduction in Anxiety, Stress, and Mood Swings
While many people use weed to reduce their stress and anxiety, it can also induce feelings of paranoia and even cause mood swings and poor decision-making in some people. Even if smoking weed does help you relax and reduce your anxiety, it can quickly become a crutch. If you find yourself smoking weed regularly to cope with the stress of your daily life or you find that smoking weed only makes you more paranoid and anxious, quitting will definitely be in your best interest, especially if it helps you find healthier ways to manage your stress levels.
Lifestyle and Social Benefits
Improved Relationships
Quitting weed can actually improve your relationships and your ability to communicate with others. After all, it’s hard to express any coherent thoughts when you’re too high to think clearly. You might also barely remember fun social events with family and friends. Despite what you and some people might think, you’ll probably be much more fun to be around when you quit smoking marijuana and can better engage and communicate with others. You’ll also be able to rebuild trusting relationships with those who might not approve of smoking weed or don’t want to be around it.
Increased Productivity
Not surprisingly, quitting weed can improve your productivity at work or school. Showing up high for work or a class is obviously a bad idea, but the effects of long-term marijuana use such as cognitive impairment and anxiety can still affect your performance even when you only smoke on your days off. There’s also the matter of certain jobs that have drug testing and prohibit drug use. Simply put, you won’t have to worry about drug testing if you don’t use drugs.
Financial Implications
Weed is expensive. Depending on where you are in the country, an ounce of high-quality marijuana can cost hundreds of dollars. Quitting weed would allow you to save that money and put it to other uses. It would also make it much easier to hold down a job, especially if you work in a field that has regular drug testing and prohibits marijuana use.
Marijuana Addiction Recovery and Reduced Dependency
Despite what many people believe, it is possible to become addicted to marijuana. Research shows that approximately 30 percent of people who use marijuana have some form of marijuana use disorder, a condition in which someone continues to use marijuana even when it has a negative impact on their life. Many of these people experience withdrawal symptoms such as lower sleep quality, irritability, decreased appetite, and physical discomfort if they stop using weed. These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. This is why we always recommend addiction recovery services, even for a “softer” drug like marijuana. Treatment for marijuana use disorder and addiction can help you break the cycle of dependency and give you the skills and coping strategies that you will need to stay clean. Most addiction treatment programs also address the psychological factors that may have contributed to your marijuana use since substance abuse often has some underlying causes.
Treatment programs can be difficult, and they may force you to confront some uncomfortable truths, but they could be what you need to adopt a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Conclusion
Weed may be more socially acceptable in the United States than ever before even where it’s still illegal, but it is still a drug that can have a negative impact on your life if it’s abused. While there are no doubt people who occasionally smoke weed without developing any serious problems, many people are better off without it. Weed may not be as dangerous or as addictive as other drugs – many will claim that alcohol is much worse in many ways – but giving it up can have some major benefits to your life. It can improve your mental and physical health, help you build healthier relationships with your family and friends, improve your performance in school or on the job, and even help you save money.
If you are struggling with marijuana and would like to quit, know that there is help available. Marijuana may not be as physically addictive as substances like alcohol or opiates, but it can still have a strong hold on your life that is difficult to escape. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs and find one that will work best for you.
FAQ
How to get weed out your system?
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/lung-health.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037578/#:~:text=THC%20intoxication%20has%20been%20shown,and%20control%20emotions%20and%20behavior.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7531079/
- https://mjbizdaily.com/map-of-us-marijuana-legalization-by-state/
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive
- https://oxfordtreatment.com/substance-abuse/marijuana/average-cost-of-marijuana/
