The video – shared by Dr Boogie – reveals exactly what happens to the body if cannabis is smoked on a daily basis. And it’s not pretty.
The clip explains: “When smoked daily, cannabis irritates the lungs and airways immediately.”
Then Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enters the bloodstream, ‘quickly reaching the brain and other organs within minutes’.
But what is THC and how does it impact the brain?
How cannabis impacts your brain
Well, THC is the main psychoactive substance in cannabis, responsible for the feeling of being ‘high’.
Indeed, ‘THC binds to the brain receptors causing short-term euphoria and and altered perception’.
However, when cannabis is smoked daily, a person’s tolerance to it increases meaning they need more of it to experience the same effect and high.
This can prompt ‘potential changes in memory and learning areas’.
“Over years of daily use, especially starting young, chronic exposure can cause lasting changes in structure and function like reduced volume in areas for decision making and memory with cognitive impacts,” the video continues.
Despite the initial influx of dopamine, triggered by THC, smoking cannabis regularly can increase the risk on your mental wellbeing of ‘dependency anxiety’ and depression or even ‘psychotic symptoms in vulnerable people’.
After experiencing the high, you could end up feeling ‘tired or a bit depressed,’ Healthline adds.
And your lungs certainly aren’t going to thank you either.
How cannabis impacts your lungs and heart
If you smoke long-term, you will end up damaging your lung lining which can show up in symptoms such as a ‘chronic cough, increased phlegm, bronchitis symptoms and higher airway inflammation similar to tobacco effects in heavy users’.
Your heart rate can also impact your heart rate and ‘can strain blood vessels over time’.
Studies even suggest a higher risk of heart attack, failure or stroke in some people who are heavy weed smokers.
The video notes the impact of cannabis can ‘vary widely by genetic, age of start and amount,’ noting effects are ‘dose dependent’ and ‘often worse with heavy use’.
Healthline warns: “In people younger than 25 years, whose brains haven’t yet fully developed, long-term cannabis use can have a lasting detrimental impact on thinking and memory processes..”
But what if you’ve already been smoking weed most days your whole life and want to stop? Well, it’s never too late.
The video reassures the impact weed can have on the body does ‘improve after quitting’.
Healthline explains it’s important to find the best way to quit for you, adding there’s ‘no perfect way,’ offering suggestions such as getting rid of any ‘stash’ you have lying around, switching up your routine, taking on a new hobby or setting certain dates or goals.
It’s also important to learn how to handle withdrawals, detailing symptoms of cannabis withdrawal as ‘trouble sleeping, anxiety, aggression, irritability, depression, headaches, fever, chills and sweats, low appetite and cravings’.
Withdrawal symptoms reportedly tend to clear up in around two-to-four weeks.
If you’re thinking about quitting, think about consulting with a healthcare professional.