Marijuana use in the United States has increased dramatically over the last decade. This is undoubtedly due to more states legalizing its possession and use. Currently, 24 states and Washington, D.C., permit recreational marijuana, and a total of 38 states allow it for medicinal purposes.
Many people wonder, “Can you overdose on marijuana?” That is a complex question that warrants an exploration of the effects of the drug on the body.
This article covers that information. Keep reading to find out the dangers that marijuana poses, especially as it relates to certain health conditions and interactions.
How Does Marijuana Affect the Body?
Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, or seeds of the cannabis sativa or cannabis indica plant. It contains many different compounds, some of which can have therapeutic effects. For instance, cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound that can reduce inflammation and pain.
The main psychoactive compound in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system, which produces a “high.”
THC can influence mood, memory, and cognitive functions. It is the main component that can lead to other deleterious health outcomes (see below).
Can You Overdose on Marijuana?
Can you overdose on marijuana? The technical answer is that even high doses of marijuana cannot be fatal in the way that other substances can.
For instance, opioids affect the brain’s respiratory control centers. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system. In high doses, both substances can cause breathing to slow significantly or even stop, leading to an insufficient amount of oxygen in the body and possibly death.
Since marijuana does not cause such reactions, even in high doses, some people consider it to be safer than other drugs. However, it still has risks.
High doses of marijuana can trigger adverse side effects and overdose symptoms. In some cases, it can cause behaviors or situations that can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
In What Ways Can Marijuana Be Dangerous?
There are many different scenarios where marijuana use can be harmful or even life-threatening. These relate to:
- Preexisting conditions
- Interacting with prescription medications
- Interacting with illicit drugs
- Impairment and accidents
- Negative psychological reactions
- Risks of synthetic cannabis
Preexisting Conditions
Marijuana can interact negatively with other health conditions the person may or may not know exist. A very common one is heart issues.
Most people think of marijuana as having a calming effect, but it can do the opposite as well. High doses can significantly increase heart rate for several hours after using marijuana.
For people with hypertension or other circulatory issues, this can increase the risk of heart attack. It can also result in other types of cardiovascular harm.
Smoking marijuana can expose the body to carbon monoxide, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. Consuming marijuana in general also causes a narrowing of coronary arteries. That restricts the flow of oxygen traveling in the blood to various parts of the body.
For other people, high doses of marijuana can cause orthostatic hypotension. This is a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can cause dizziness or fainting. This can result in falls as well as other risks for people with cardiovascular conditions.
Interacting With Prescription Medications
Marijuana can interfere and have adverse reactions with prescription drugs. This happens when THC and CBD affect liver enzymes that are responsible for metabolizing them.
This slows the breakdown of medications and leads to higher levels in the bloodstream. This in turn increases the risk of cannabis toxicity.
It is worth noting that, besides such reactions, marijuana can inhibit the effectiveness of prescription medications. In these cases, an increase in enzyme activity breaks down medications too quickly, which causes the body to get rid of them before they can do their job.
Finally, marijuana is prone to negative interaction with certain types of medications mainly used to treat mental health issues. These include:
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antipsychotics
- Anti-seizure medications
In rare instances, marijuana can interact with immunosuppressants, diabetes medications, and blood pressure medicine.
Interacting With Illicit Drugs
Combining marijuana with other drugs is another particular risk. In general, doing so substantially raises the chances of a marijuana overdose. It also makes undesirable psychological effects more likely.
Specific health risks depend on the type of drug, but common reactions include:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased body temperature
- Respiratory depression
- Psychological effects (such as hallucinations)
Combining marijuana with illicit drugs can also increase the likelihood of developing dependence on either or both substances.
Impairments and Accidents
One of the most common ways that marijuana can cause serious harm is through accidents that result from impairment. These include motor vehicle crashes, as well as slips, falls, or other injuries due to lack of balance.
Marijuana can inhibit decision-making. So, people under the influence may inadvertently put themselves in dangerous situations that they may not otherwise risk.
Negative Psychological Reactions
High doses of marijuana can also cause severe psychological reactions in some people. In addition to dosage, the strain of cannabis may be more likely to trigger this.
Common negative reactions include those that result in extreme paranoia, anxiety, and in some cases psychosis. The occurrences can be very unpleasant and even horrifying for people experiencing them. In some instances, these side effects could contribute to dangerous behavior or self-harm.
Risks of Synthetic Cannabis
Synthetic cannabis can pose many of the same risks as high doses of marijuana. It is worth mentioning on its own, since it has a unique set of dangers and is not a suitable alternative to natural marijuana.
When taking marijuana, THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain. Synthetic cannabis is usually some random plant that can be sprayed with manmade chemicals that mimic these effects. These chemicals also bind to CB! receptors, but oftentimes are much more potent and dangerous than natural marijuana.
Learn More About Marijuana Risks
Now that you have some answers to the complex question, “Can you overdose on marijuana?” you will have a better understanding of its risks and how it impacts the body.
Since 2017, America’s Rehab Campuses have helped more than 20,000 people on their road to recovery. We offer a variety of substance abuse treatment programs, including inpatient to outpatient options. Contact us today to learn more about marijuana safety or to schedule treatment.
