Risks of THC
The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that cannabis is the most used drug in the United States. Various reasons account for this trend, chiefly the legalization of marijuana in some states and the medicinal benefits of the CBD found in the drug. Another reason for the use of marijuana is seeking the high provided by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
With the high usage of marijuana and THC products for their therapeutic effects, it’s essential to understand the substance, its effects, and the potential risks associated with its use. We’ll explore what THC is, its risks, and how individuals who may be at risk of addiction can find help.
What Is THC?
THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of the 80–100 cannabinoids found in cannabis. The substance is one of the two best-known components of the drug and is liked because of its psychoactive effects. The other substance, cannabidiol (CBD), is believed to have medicinal properties.
So, how does THC work and take effect in your body? When you ingest THC, it enters your bloodstream and travels to the brain, targeting the cannabinoid receptors. The receptors are part of a neural communication network called the endocannabinoid system. When THC reaches the region, it activates the system, producing a high.
How Is THC Consumed?
THC comes in various forms, meaning you can consume it in multiple ways. Here are the ways people ingest THC.
Smoking
Inhaling or smoking is the most common way of consuming THC. It is done through smoking marijuana and vaping or dabbing THC oil and extracts. This method is also the quickest way to experience the effects as it delivers huge amounts and reaches the bloodstream quickly.
Vaping has become popular, with a study finding that the number of college students who vaped in the past month rose by 8.8% between 2017 and 2019. However, it is essential to note that vaping is harmful to your body and can have dire consequences.
Oral Ingestion
Oral ingestion is another popular way of consuming THC; it takes longer to feel the effects than when inhaling. This is because the THC must be digested first before it gets into the bloodstream. However, this method gives the consumer a longer-lasting effect. THC taken orally comes in the form of edibles (THC-infused foods), oils, capsules, and tinctures.
Skin Application
While not as common as oral ingestion and inhalation, the application of THC through the skin is another way of using the drug. The method relies on THC in the form of balms, lotion, and other skin products. They rarely give a high and are used for other advantages, such as pain relief.
Risks of THC Use
THC affects the body in various ways, long term and short term. The short-term effects include:
- Increased anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Reduced attention
- Poor memory
- Poor psychomotor performance
- Poor time management
These short-term effects usually disappear after a while when the high fades. In case the effects persist, it’s essential to keep calm.
Other more severe effects related to using THC include the following.
Breathing Problems
Most people consume THC through smoking, which is dangerous to the lungs. Any kind of smoking, including cannabis, can cause bronchitis, which is a severe health problem. Other risks include nasal congestion and lowered lung capacity.
Although smoking cannabis is not a proven risk factor for lung cancer, there appears to be a modest association between marijuana smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Vaping also has a negative effect on the lungs.
Pregnancy Issues
While some women claim they use marijuana or THC to deal with nausea when pregnant, it can be harmful to the mother and child. Experts have linked the use of cannabis to issues such as:
- Low birth rates
- Low birth weight
- High risk of stillbirth
- Poor fetal brain development
Also, experts suggest that a mother who uses cannabis or THC passes some of the THC to the child through breast milk. The small amounts can add up and affect the baby’s development.
Psychosis
Marijuana is known to cause psychosis, in which someone disconnects from reality. It is also linked to other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia. Research has linked cannabis use to half of schizophrenia and psychosis cases. A study of 80,000 U.S. adults found that those with cannabis use disorder during the previous year had a substance use disorder (SUD) in 10% of marijuana users.
An untreated THC use disorder can slowly lead to addiction. A National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) study found that 30% of marijuana users may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.
As with any other drug habit, someone who has cultivated dependence will find it hard to stop using THC. They’ll quickly undergo withdrawal as the body tries to adjust to the new situation. Some of the observable THC withdrawal symptoms include:
- Grouchiness
- Craving THC
- Insomnia
- Reduced appetite
- Irritability
THC withdrawal symptoms are perhaps the biggest deterrent to quitting its use. If you feel like the symptoms are too much, seek your healthcare provider’s advice.
What Treatments Are Available for THC Use Disorder?
Individuals struggling with high consumption can find help stopping or reducing their intake. While there is no pharmaceutical drug to treat THC and marijuana use disorder, there are various therapies and ways to treat the condition.
Let’s look at the different THC use disorder treatments.
Effective Behavioral Treatments
Different THC use disorder clients have different needs when it comes to treatment. Luckily, there are various types of behavioral therapies from which they can choose to get the best results at the end of treatment. Here are some of the effective therapies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of psychotherapy is geared toward helping clients recognize and work on their unwanted behaviors. It aims to restore self-control in the client, who in turn can stop using THC and deal with other issues that come with addiction and dependency.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
This method takes a different route as it doesn’t target the client’s treatment. Instead, the systematic approach targets the person’s innate resources to induce change and readiness for treatment. Motivational enhancement therapy helps the client commit to the process.
Contingency Management
In this approach, the client and treatment provider continuously monitor the client’s target behavior. It provides some incentives to help the individual recover by reinforcing their positive behavioral change.
Pharmaceutical Treatments
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medicine for the treatment of THC and marijuana use disorder. However, there are several major studies on the topic, and pharmaceutical drugs can handle some of the withdrawal side effects.
A good reason why many clients, such as people with cancer, use THC is to recover their appetite. When they stop using THC, they can find it hard to eat, and this could lead to a relapse. In such instances, eating disorder medications are included in the treatment to help the client.
Be Brave and Seek Help
THC use disorder is not as severe as other drug use disorders. However, it still can have some adverse effects on your body and your lifestyle. Thus, when you decide to stop, it’s essential to take the fundamental step of getting help. THC use disorder can leave you feeling lost and alone, but getting help gives you the tools you need to handle the situation.
One good way to find help is by calling our hotline. By connecting with professionals who specialize in the recovery journey, you can:
- Learn everything you need to know about THC and its use disorder
- Know the challenges you’ll face during treatment
- Access information on your treatment options
- Begin your recovery
Our hotline will help you locate the best treatment option and center to help you in your specific case. To learn more or start on the path to sobriety, call the National Rehab Hotline today at 866-210-1303.