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Does The Use of Medical Marijuana Have Side Effects? 10 Things to Consider

Does The Use of Medical Marijuana Have Side Effects? 10 Things to Consider

Does medical marijuana have side effects?

We often hear people praising the benefits of medical marijuana. With so much discussion about its benefits, however, it is just as important to ask “Does the use of medical marijuana have side effects?” .

What Are The Side Effects Of Medical Marijuana?

Aside from direct effects such as altered attention, coordination, and judgment, frequent users of medical marijuana may experience a variety of short and long term side effects. Short-term side effects can include:
  • Paranoia: A tendency of having excessive distrust and suspiciousness of others. 
  • Psychosis: The inability to distinguish reality from imagination; hearing, seeing, or smelling things that aren’t really there. 
  • Increased Heart Rate: Cannabinoids affect the cardiovascular system in a complex way, causing an increased heart rate.  
Long-term side effects can include: Although marijuana can aid mental health symptoms, it has a depressant effect on the central nervous system, therefore, use with caution because there is a chance symptoms can worsen.
What are the side effects of medical marijuana?

What Is The Proper Dose Of Medical Marijuana?

In addition to asking “Does the use of medical marijuana have side effects?”, it can be helpful to have an idea of how to use it correctly. Medical marijuana is safe to consume, although improper doses can result in discomfort. There is a wide variety of strains, each with different potencies, which can make it difficult to properly dose. Fortunately, even if you consume too much medical marijuana, it will never be fatal.  However, it is still important to understand how to properly dose so we can prevent an uncomfortable psychoactive experience.  A big risk for new medical marijuana users is using too much, resulting in discomfort and possibly discouraging them from future use. This is unfortunate as a smaller dose may lead to a very different, and more favorable, experience.  This general guide might be helpful in getting the correct dosage and desired effects:
  • Micro-dose: 2.5 – 5 milligrams of THC
  • Standard dose: 5 – 10 milligrams of THC
  • High dose: 15 – 20 milligrams of THC
In the beginning, 15 milligrams of THC for example, may feel like an overdose to a first time user of  medical marijuana. Conversely, 2.5 mg might not be enough to have the desired effects for someone with a higher tolerance.
Does Cbd oil have side effects like medical marijuana?

What Are The Side Effects Of CBD?

We’ve answered the question “What are the side effects of medical marijuana?”, but what about CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is known to have similar properties as THC while lacking the psychoactive effect. A research study from 2017 concluded that humans can safely consume up to 1500 milligrams per day. 

Despite the fact it does not have intoxicating effects, CBD can have negative side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting and drowsiness. Therefore, it may be favorable to start with lower doses to stay on the safe side.

Consult Your Doctor

In addition to considering the side effects we discussed today, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor to determine if medical marijuana is right for you.

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Author: J.P. Carrol

J.P. is an accomplished writer with a lifelong passion for a range of subjects, including medical marijuana. As lead copywriter at thedonut.co, he writes daily for an audience of 100k+ and is deeply committed to helping businesses achieve their full potential with his guidance and expertise.

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