Ganja Addiction and its effects on Mental Health

Ganja is the leading illegal drug drug in circulation today and it’s popularity among young adults continues to grow exponentially. But unfettered, long-term and regular use of ganja can lead to an addiction. According to studies, one out of three ganja users are at the risk of developing an addiction. The rise in ganja abuse in India is driven by the increased availability of ganja in both cities and smaller towns, it being considered a low risk drug that might not lead to an addiction, the portrayal of ganja consumption in TV shows and movies as being “cool” and the legalisation of ganja in many countries. 

Is Ganja Addictive?

Unfettered, long-term and regular use of ganja can lead to an addiction. According to studies, one out of three ganja users are at the risk of developing an addiction. They experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, irritability and mood swings, loss of appetite and sleep when they stop abusing ganja.

What are the risks of a Ganja Addiction?

Regular, long-term use of Ganja can lead to several mental and physical effects on a user. The effects of ganja on a individual’s brain, immune system, lungs and cardiovascular health are well documented. They can be devastating on the human body and brain and have also shown to be fatal in many cases. Furthermore, those high on ganja have an impaired sense of judgement and lack inhibition that can lead to criminal behaviour and jail time.

Ganja use and aggressive behaviour

The psychoactive nature of ganja is due to the presence of THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. Ganja seized by law enforcement 2 decades ago had less that half the THC content that it has today. This indicates the Ganja is more potent than ever before and research indicates that this has lead to the change in behaviour of the users abusing ganja today. Frequent, long-term ganja use is now linked to more aggressive and unruly behaviour in users.

A study conducted with forty-three participants with no substance dependence over 14 days revealed that ganja use lead to increased hostility and impulsive behaviour on the same day and following day of ganja use. Further large scale studies are now needed to ascertain the adverse effects that ganja use can cause on individuals to better understand and mitigate it’s risks.

Ganja and Stress

Studies have been conducted on the role and risks of ganja consumption in those coping with stress. It indicates that those dealing with stress are highly susceptible to use ganja as a way of coping with the stress and are at an increased risk of addiction. Prolonged use of ganja from a young age can lead to reduced cognitive functions in adulthood and such changes (i.e. in cognitive functions) are non-reversible.

Ganga and Academics

Young adults consuming ganja have low-attention spans are less likely to perform compared to their peers. They also have issues in focusing, understanding, retaining and recalling information due to their persistent use of ganja.

Ganja use and withdrawal

Consistent, long-term use of ganja can be devastating to the mental and physical health of an individual. THC which is the psychoactive component of Ganja takes a long time to work it’s way out of our body. Withdrawal from an ganja addiction can be severe and is based on several factors. However, as evidenced by those that have recovered from it – it is possible. Some of the more common withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Headaches
• Lack of sleep or insomnia
• Lack of appetite
• Fever
• Aggressive behaviour or irritability 
• Cravings(for ganja)