Living the ‘high’ life? 4 things you should know about weed
Cannabis is by far the most popular illegal drug, but is it really ‘just a joint’? While it’s commonly perceived as a ‘safer’ alternative compared to other recreational drugs, long-term cannabis use can cause some nasty side effects and lead to addiction. In fact, 1 in 6 people who start smoking weed before the age of 18 become dependent.
1. Signs of addiction
Though researchers generally agree that people who use cannabis daily or nearly daily are addicted, much less frequent use can still have a significant impact on your wellbeing. Because the effects of cannabis vary person to person, it’s important to measure your weed use by the impact it has, not just how often you use. Signs of addiction can include:
- spending a lot of your time using, thinking about or recovering from the effects of weed;
- having to use greater amounts of weed to maintain the desired effects; and
- neglecting your hobbies, responsibilities and relationships.
2. Common side effects
Some of the common side effects for regular users are reduced focus, impaired speech and memory loss. The drug also affects your sleep, which can leave you feeling tired, groggy and irritable the day after you use.
According to the NHS, these impacts also have a knock-on effect on your mental health. People who regularly use weed are highly susceptible to depression and anxiety disorders, and are at greater risk of developing schizophrenia and psychosis.
Smoking weed comes with added health risks like lung damage and cardiovascular diseases caused by breathing in toxins, irritants, and carcinogens. People who add tobacco to their joints are at an even greater risk of getting cancer and developing a weed addiction.
3. How to reduce the risks
Although the only way to completely avoid the risks of weed is to go without, if you choose to use, then consider these harm reduction tips:
- Avoid letting your cannabis use become a regular habit.
- Keep an eye on the impacts of your use and cut down when necessary.
- Don’t hold cannabis smoke in your lungs. This won’t intensify the effects and will only cause more respiratory damage.
- Be careful if you choose to mix weed with other substances. Use the Drugs and Me substance interaction tool to check how different drugs interact so you know the risks.
4. How to get help
Cannabis use can have a huge impact on your wellbeing, your relationships, your finances, and your studies.
Leeds is a harm reduction university, which means that whether you need help for yourself or a friend, have questions about drugs and alcohol, or want to get advice from an expert, there’s lots of support available like:
- free drug and alcohol advice drop-ins, peer support groups, recovery meetings and seminars, and sober socials offered by Forward Leeds; as well as
- free counselling through Student Counselling and Wellbeing if your mental health and wellbeing are impacted by substance use.
For more drug and alcohol harm reduction advice, specialist support on campus and in Leeds, and our University policy, visit the drugs and alcohol web page.
