6 cannabis myths debunked by an addiction expert

The march toward the legalization of cannabis in the United States continues, as do questions about its effects on smokers' health. Kevin Hill, an addiction expert at McLean Hospital at Harvard Medical School and author of Marijuana: The Unbiased Truth About the World’s Most Popular Weed ("Marijuana: The Unbiased Truth About the Most Popular Weed" recently put itself to the test of the AMA, a Reddit thread where public figures answer users' questions. Here are the most interesting parts of the discussion.

What uses of marijuana are supported by evidence?

The two cannabinoids available for sale are approved by the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to relieve nausea and stimulate appetite. Beyond that, there is strong evidence suggesting that cannabis or cannabinoids to relieve chronic pain, neuropathic pain (which is generally unresponsive to conventional pain relievers), spastic paralysis, and multiple sclerosis.

What are the downsides of cannabis? How many people become addicted?

Most people who use cannabis do not become addicted. Available data show that 9% of adults and 17% of young people who use it become addicted.

How is cannabis addiction diagnosed? What are the risks of quitting?

Usually, there are problems at work, at school, or in relationships. As a family member, teacher, or coach, you’re supposed to know what’s normal for a person and be able to tell when things aren’t the way they usually are. Have they stopped doing things they usually do? Is their mood different? Things like that.

The excessive cannabis use can affect the brain, just like all addictive substances, by releasing chemicals—such as dopamine—into the brain. The release of these chemicals is very pleasurable, which makes people more likely to use it again. The’cannabis addiction is both psychological and physical. People who really enjoy using cannabis may do so at the expense of other, more important things in their lives. It can also serve as a way to relieve the pressure of everyday stress.

Cannabis can also cause a physical dependence, especially if you use it every day, several times a day. The symptoms of cannabis withdrawal (anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping) make it more likely that you’ll start using again. Importantly, these symptoms are not life-threatening. Stopping alcohol use, for example, can cause fatal seizures.

While cannabis increases the risk of respiratory infections such as bronchitis, there are no studies linking it to cancer. Overall, cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol, which is certainly less dangerous than opioids. This does not mean that cannabis is not potentially dangerous.

Do inhaling and ingesting cannabis pose different risks?

The risks are primarily associated with what’s in marijuana, not the way it’s consumed. The risks associated with «space food» are largely due to the fact that the effects take a long time to kick in, so people take higher doses to feel the effects more quickly.

Is marijuana getting stronger and stronger?

The potency of cannabis has increased dramatically. The average THC content in the 1960s was 3 to 4%. The latest published data now estimate it at 13%.

What is the most dangerous myth about cannabis?

The most dangerous myth is: «Cannabis is harmless.». Cannabis is not harmless. It is not as dangerous as opioids, for example, but it can still be dangerous.

Most researchers agree that early and regular cannabis use (among people under 25 whose brains are still developing) is a bad idea. The main negative effects of cannabis Long-term effects include cognitive difficulties, increased anxiety, increased depression, and a higher likelihood of exhibiting symptoms of a psychotic disorder (but not of causing one).