Health - Marijuana psychological effects permanent?

[bob8822]

SWIM is wondering about any effects when not under the influence of Marijuana. SWIM has trouble concentrating in class the day after, and still feels ever so slightly marijuana effects. So is there any evidence of lack of concentration, cognition, or perception, in the long term, when not under the influence? Are their any studies on this?

[fiveleggedrat]

The problem with this issue is that it is a highly specialized one that depends on individual body chemistry. Swim personally never has any negative effects from smoking, except a tendency to be sleepy when sobering up. Same with Swim's friend. However, we both know people who cannot smoke because they say it produces long lasting negative effects like the ones you mentioned.

I will look for studies on this, but I expect the majority of them to be biased, if not all.

[helikophis]

Originally Posted by bob8822

SWIM is wondering about any effects when not under the influence of Marijuana. SWIM has trouble concentrating in class the day after, and still feels ever so slightly marijuana effects. So is there any evidence of lack of concentration, cognition, or perception, in the long term, when not under the influence? Are their any studies on this?

Well I'm not sure what you're talking about here is really long-term effects. I don't know anything about evidence or studies, but a sea captain tells me that he usually feels effects of cannabis (among others) for quite a bit longer than the period of the primary effects. He has noticed after-effects lasting for at least 24 hours. He suspects that there may be subtle effects lasting a week or more.

There's nothing unusual about this; certainly it's commonplace to have after-effects from alcohol (or opiates, or coffee, or most psychedelics for that matter) that last a few days. The crew would recommend not consuming cannabis or other drugs when you know you have something to do the next day that requires you be at your highest level of performance.

My captain has no doubt that there are cognitive effects of cannabis use that last beyond the duration of the "high." These effects definitely increase with long-term use, however the experience of the crew has been that they will go away as your body re-adjusts to sobriety. It is of course possible that heavy use over many years will result in permanent effects, but it seems unlikely that occasional use would result in such effects.

This is just based on the observations and speculations of the captain and his crew, so your milage may vary.

[Ronnie]

No, not necessarily at all, as always, moderation is the key, a little of what you fancy does you good. SWIY has to judge as to what will do you harm.. we are all individuals. Be sensible and enjoy what life has to offer.

Respect yourself (your body is your temple) and others.

Simple really.

Regards
Ronnie

[geezaman]

SWIM is currently doing an assignment on exactly this topic. There are many many pieces of research published in journals either directly looking at the LT effects of cannabis use or covering it in their own research, from SWIMs reading so far it still seems inconclusive as to wether there are long term cognitive, behavioural, psychological etc effects, Although it seems there is is support for impairment in complex cognitive task in those who have previously used cannabis heavily.

SWIM will post again or edit this once his assignment is in and he is better educated, in a week or so, would post some of said articles, but does not wish to get into trouble so must check legality of this first.
Peace
Geezaman

[Capita]

Swim would feel high the next day after smoking sometimes how ever that was when swim had a very low tolerance (one hit was like acid). This was when swim was much younger and the effects seemed to be very intense. After a few days of not using swim would feel normal again. Now swim is a regular user, bigger and effects after a few hours are almost not even noticeable.

[cobetcknncoio3]

well, every drug, including THC (the main psychoactive in cannabis) has a half-life, and eventually is flushed totally out of your system. the only part of your body that it stays in long-term is your hair. yeah, of course you're gonna feel after-effects, but other than the effect it has on your lungs, SWIM doesn't think that weed has any permanent effects, not even on the brain.

[RaverHippie]

This is more likely a background undiagnosed condition in SWIY, not a general commonplace effect from marijuana...