In spite of recent shifts in popular opinion about marijuana in the U.S., the fact remains that regular marijuana use is harmful, especially to young people.
Myths that users say (and believe) about the drug:
- “Marijuana is my medicine.”
- “It helps my anxiety.”
- “It helps me with my ADD.”
- “It’s not addicting.”
- “It’s not a gateway drug.”
The Truth
- Causes memory deficits and other cognitive problems
- Associated with loss of IQ
- Performance problems lead to increased frustration and anxiety
- “Amotivational syndrome” leads to anger with self for mounting failures
- Marijuana is “addicting.” The powerful high from today’s marijuana is very much “addicting.” People who like it, begin to pursue it to the exclusion of other things and begin rationalizing doing so.
- Using Marijuana is a gateway to other substances. Regular marijuana users are naturally exposed to people who are using and dealing other illicit substances. Marijuana users are clearly more likely to begin using other drugs – like Molly, Heroin, K2, Spice, Etizolam, Kratom and internet “designer drugs” and Cocaine.
The Evidence
- The following article shows the relationship between regular marijuana use starting at a young age and later emotional problems and attention problems:
- And the following article shows the relationship between regular marijuana use and problems with dampened response to reward:
