Hunter's blog: What are the risks of cannabis use in the short and long term

3 min read

Weed is often seen as relaxed and harmless, but it does have risks. Especially with more frequent use, dependence can arise, mentally or in behavior. In this article, we’ll dive into cannabis addiction and how it works in the short and long term.

What is the topic?

When it comes to weed, it’s often about chilling, relaxation, and vibe. But there is also another side to the story: Weed addiction and what that means for your brain and behavior.

Not everyone becomes dependent, but the risk does exist. And that has everything to do with how cannabis affects your reward system and how often you use it.

How does it work/what about it?

When you use cannabis, THC affects your brain, especially the systems related to feelings of reward and relaxation. That’s also why it can feel good: your brain links it to something positive.

But that is exactly where the risk lies. If something often gives that chill reaction, your brain can start to remember it as something you want to go back to. In this way, a pattern can slowly emerge.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone will become addicted, but it does show how weed addiction can develop in some people.

What is meant by addiction or dependence?

Addiction is not just about not being able to stop. It’s also about dependence: the feeling that you need something to feel normal or relaxed.

With cannabis, this is often psychological rather than physical. This means that it is more in your behavior and thoughts than in physical withdrawal symptoms. For example, you use it more often than you actually intended, or you notice that it gets a permanent place in your routine.

What makes cannabis addictive?

Cannabis has a subtle effect on your reward system. It is not as explosive as harder drugs, but it is consistent enough to build habituation.

Therefore, addiction to weed is often associated with long-term and frequent use. Your brain gets used to the way THC triggers relaxation or pleasure.

That’s also why some people find that chilling without weed feels a little less easy after a period of regular use.

Is it physical or psychological?

Cannabis is mainly about psychological dependence.

Your body usually doesn’t become physically dependent on it like it does with some other substances, but your brain can get used to the effect. That means you may feel like you need it to relax, sleep, or feel good.

That mental part is often where the addiction to weed becomes visible in everyday life.

What factors influence the risk?

Not everyone has the same risk. How often you use plays a major role, but so does your age, mindset and environment.

If you start young or use often during stressful periods, your brain can learn patterns faster. People who use cannabis to deal with emotions are also more at risk of habit formation.

So it’s not just what you use, but especially why and how often.

How common is cannabis dependence?

Not everyone who uses cannabis becomes dependent. The majority use it recreationally without major problems.

Nevertheless, research shows that a smaller group does develop dependence, especially with frequent use over a longer period of time. That’s exactly where weed addiction becomes relevant in the discussion.

What do studies say about this?

Research shows that cannabis is less addictive than many other substances, but does not have a zero risk. The risk of dependence increases especially with daily or almost daily use.

It also becomes clear that quitting can feel difficult for some people because of the psychological habit that has been built up.

So it is not only important whether something is addictive, but how and how often it is used.

Short and long-term risks

In the short term, it is often about getting used to it and focusing on the moment itself. In the long run, it’s more about routine and behavior.

Some people find that they relax less often without cannabis, or that it becomes a regular habit in their day. That’s usually the point where Addictiveness of Weed becomes visible in everyday life.

Fun fact

The term cannabis dependence is often only taken seriously in studies when someone uses daily or almost daily. But many people recognize it earlier by something simple: I do it more often than I actually intended.