The primary purpose that people use cannabis is to become ‘high.’ The high sensation entails relaxation, perceptual alterations, and euphoria. There is also an escalation of ordinary sensual experiences, including listening to music, watching films, and eating. The ‘high’ feeling can typically be accompanied by extremely talkative and infectious laughter, especially in social gatherings. Broadly, the effects can be divided into psychological and physiological.
The effects of the use of cannabis are dependent on various factors, including prior cannabis use, the method it’s consumed, social setting, and mood. Psychologically, an individual will have cognitive effects, such as lessened attention and forgetfulness (Wayne et al., 2001). Thus, the individual will find it hard to sustain goal-oriented mental activity and are easily lost in pleasant reverie. Cannabis intoxication also affects response time and motor coordination and skills, and multiple forms of skilled psychomotor activity. Several individuals have also reported negative effects when intoxicated, including depression, anxiety, fear of going mad, and panic. This is particularly common among newbies. More experienced individuals don’t report its effects after immediate swallowing (Wayne, et al., 2001). Instead, the effect among experienced individuals is of a longer duration and more pronounced.
Individuals also report physiological effects. Within fifteen minutes of smoking cannabis, the heart rate increases by 20 to 50%. There are also variations in blood pressure. Changes in blood pressure are dependent on posture (Wayne, et al., 2001). A cited person tends to experience high blood pressure variations more. An abrupt change from a sitting to a standing position may cause postural hypertension and faintness and lightheadedness, which is one of the first indications of intoxication among naive individuals.
In conclusion, above are the psychological and physiological effects of cannabis use. With these known effects, the possible adverse impact of heavy and chronic cannabis use is the development of dependence syndrome. It has been problematic for ethical and technical reasons to conclude whether cannabis intoxication increases accident risk, including motor vehicle accidents. However, the fact that it has cognitive effects may increase the risk of accidents.
Reference
Wayne, H., Louisa, D., & Michael, L. (2001). The health and psychological effects of cannabis use (2nd ed.). National Drug and Alcohol Research CentreUniversity of New South Wales,