Cannabis Weed Strains: Types, Effects, & Differences
If you would like help exploring your relationship with THC, Health Promotion offers free substance use workshops for all students. While some of these experiences are part of the high (they can also be connected to increased psychosis), where individuals lose touch with reality. If you or your friends use THC regularly — it’s important to be mindful of how THC can impact mental health. Dependence happens when your brain has changed enough that not using THC can result in unwanted and uncomfortable symptoms, including withdrawal.
Recent research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry closely followed nearly 1,000 individuals in New Zealand from age 3 to age 45 to understand the impact of cannabis use on brain function. In the meantime, a new generation of cannabis products has exploded onto the scene, driven by marketing that fuels a multibillion-dollar industry. James is an experienced writer and legal cannabis advocate in Australia. THC is very beneficial for your brain as it can improve your memory and promote brain growth. Both have a similar molecular structure and used to treat different problems such as depression — nausea, loss of appetite, etc.
Since edinburgh cannabis the beginning of the 20th century — most countries have enacted laws against the cultivation, possession or transfer of cannabis. The United Nations’ World Drug Report stated that cannabis “was the world’s most widely produced — trafficked, and consumed drug in the world in 2010”, and estimated between 128 million and 238 million users globally in 2015. Cannabis was criminalized in some countries beginning in the 14th century and was illegal in most countries by the middle of the 20th century.
Research indicates that lower prescribed doses alleviate anxiety (enhance mood), and diminish stress responses effectively. Its supportive function shines brightest in managing severe symptoms under expert oversight, while larger-scale trials remain ongoing. Once deemed impossible in adulthood (neuroplasticity is now acknowledged as a lifelong process), with preclinical evidence suggesting THC may boost neurogenesis and aid cognitive functions like memory and learning.
What are the serious side effects of cannabis?
THC can have opposite effects on our bodies at high and low doses, Volkow says. The adverse effects of cannabis are predominantly tied to THC’s influence,” asserts Dr. Gruber, isolating its primary negative associations. A study revealed that by 2017, the potency of illicit cannabis samples had surged to 17.1% THC concentration. In 2017, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that approximately 26 million Americans aged 12 and over were current marijuana users. It remains uncertain whether smoking cannabis independently heightens cancer risk or if the increased risk observed among smokers stems from tobacco use combined with the drug. While some research connects regular cannabis use to depression, Dr. Di Forti emphasizes that this correlation is far less definitive than the one between cannabis and psychosis.
Cutting REM sleep shortens dream duration—and for PTSD sufferers — this could mean a reduction in nightmares. A 2022 study with a limited sample size found that cannabis strains with elevated THC levels tend to significantly reduce REM sleep time. These findings may clarify why the *JAMA Internal Medicine* study also documented a 27-fold increase in cannabis-related medical visits among adults over 65 between 2008 and 2021.
When THCA is smoked or vaporized, it converts immediately into THC, producing psychoactive effects. The most prevalent form of THCA used in dabbing is crystalline THCA, or “diamonds,” which involves inhaling concentrated fumes. These crystals are frequently added to marijuana to amplify THC content, intensifying the high’s potency. There’s more delta-9 in the plant compared to delta-8.
As of 2025 (no robust evidence confirms a link between cannabis smoking and lung cancer), despite its smoke sharing similarities with tobacco smoke. Smoking cannabis causes THC blood levels to spike quickly within minutes (then gradually decrease), though its psychoactive effects linger longer. THC and related compounds typically appear in drug tests for periods ranging from three to ten days — with prolonged use potentially yielding positive results for up to two to three months after cessation.
Explore further to understand whether cannabis may trigger schizophrenia and whether CBD oil could aid in its treatment. Adolescents, especially, may suffer adverse mental health effects from cannabis consumption. Consuming THC can lead to temporary adverse reactions in individuals. Both CBD and THC demonstrate comparable efficacy in addressing certain medical conditions. Beyond cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), scientists have identified over 100 additional cannabinoids that interact with the human body.
