You would be shocked to discover that at least 3 in 10 weed users have marijuana use disorder. Although cannabis has been legalized in most states for the past years, some still suffer physical effects just because they either don't use it in moderation or abuse the substance.
We at Transcend Recovery Community are your guide in clarifying everything you need to know about narcotic substances. In this article, we take a deeper dive into cannabis and answer whether weed can induce hallucinations. Read on to find out more.
Weed Hallucinations Explained
Weed hallucinations are a pervasive effect of marijuana use.
When you smoke weed, Tetrahydrocannabinol enters your bloodstream and triggers the release of dopamine, which causes you to feel pleasure. Eventually, your brain adjusts to the high dopamine levels and stops releasing as much as it does when you first smoke. But during this initial period, there is so much dopamine in your system that it may affect the part of your brain that processes visual information—the occipital lobe.
Your brain may develop an altered sense of reality. For example, objects may look bigger or smaller than they are; colors may appear more vibrant than usual; details may stand out more clearly than usual; etc.
The exact nature of these illusions or psychosis varies from person to individual—some people might see patterns where there aren't any; others might see other people's faces in their food; still, others might hallucinate seeing faces in the clouds or may also hear voices coming from their TV or stereo speakers.
There is a possibility that if hallucinations and drug use become constant that addiction may follow. In these cases, an individual should consider medical rehabilitation treatment followed by sober mentoring to ensure that they remain sober.
Marijuana Effects on The Brain
Marijuana's effects on the brain can be broken down into three main categories: short-term effects, long-term effects, and withdrawal symptoms to the body.
Short-term
Marijuana has many medical short-term effects on the brain, including:
- paranoia
- anxiety
- difficulty concentrating and remembering things
- impaired motor skills such as coordination and balance
- sleepiness or insomnia depending on dosage
- constant hallucinations
Short-term physical manifestations include:
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
- dry mouth
- an increased appetite (which can lead to weight gain)
- red eyes and dilated pupils.
Long-term
Long-term use of marijuana may lead to addiction and dependence; however, it is not as addictive as other substances like cocaine or heroin. Long-term use also increases your risks to various mental function issues such as:
- memory loss;
- learning problems;
- poor concentration;
- impaired thinking ability (or cognitive impairment);
- hallucinations or delusions when combined with other drugs like alcohol or PCP;
- depression;
- anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
- suicidal thoughts or actions (especially in teens).
Withdrawal effects include:
- insomnia,
- irritability or anger outbursts (or "marijuana psychosis"),
- and anxiety.
An individual's mental health is at higher risk when prolonged marijuana consumption is not stopped or controlled. In most cases, inpatient or outpatient drug rehab can be an option to remedy the different effects of Marijuana
Weed Effects on Addiction and Mental Health
While weed may seem like a harmless way to relax, it can harm your mental well-being.
The number one risk of weed abuse is that it can lead to addiction. According to NIDA, about 30% of people who use marijuana will become addicted.
If you start using weed regularly, you'll have a higher chance of developing an addiction than someone who doesn't use it at all. You might become dependent on marijuana, meaning that you'll experience withdrawal effects if you stop using it—even if you don't want to!
Marijuana has also been shown to affect your emotional health as well as your physical health. For example, according to NIDA, high levels of THC are linked with depression and anxiety disorders in some users.
In addition, other studies have found that regular marijuana use can increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia later in life.
As a result of constant dependence on marijuana (whether through smoking or ingesting), their health may deteriorate if not properly addressed. Apart from getting the right rehabilitation and detox treatment, sober living can help any person suffering and may reap many benefits to help them get better.
There is evidence that staying at men's or women's sober living arrangements may affect how people respond to their rehabilitation and may even speed up their recovery.
Can Transcend Recovery Community Help Those Dealing with Addiction?
Transcend Recovery Community puts compassion and care at the forefront of helping people with addiction. Through our mental health assistive services, we help every person suffering from psychosis and marijuana addiction to get better, striving for permanent sobriety longer-term. Contact us to learn more today!
