What does Long Term Cannabis Use Do to the Body?

[Hobie]

They had a Amendment to allow recreational marijuana in our state, but it was rejected. But many are getting 'medical marijuana' to get arround the law, so what are its effects? Here is a study I came across on this..
"Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA. This genotoxicity can result in mutations, accelerated aging, and birth defects, with potential to be passed on to future generations through egg and sperm. Insights from broader mitochondrial research provide a mechanistic understanding of how cannabis affects genetic stability.
Key Facts:

• Cannabis damages DNA, increasing cancer risk and accelerating aging.
• Genotoxic effects of cannabis can be inherited by future generations.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction links cannabis use to chromosomal damage."

Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes, Cancer Risk - Neuroscience News

Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA.

neurosciencenews.com

 

[RedFan]

They had a Amendment to allow recreational marijuana in our state, but it was rejected. But many are getting 'medical marijuana' to get arround the law, so what are its effects? Here is a study I came across on this..
"Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA. This genotoxicity can result in mutations, accelerated aging, and birth defects, with potential to be passed on to future generations through egg and sperm. Insights from broader mitochondrial research provide a mechanistic understanding of how cannabis affects genetic stability.
Key Facts:

• Cannabis damages DNA, increasing cancer risk and accelerating aging.
• Genotoxic effects of cannabis can be inherited by future generations.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction links cannabis use to chromosomal damage."

Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes, Cancer Risk - Neuroscience News

Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA.

neurosciencenews.com

Another study suggests cognitive effects: Cognitive effects in midlife of long-term cannabis use - Harvard Health

 

[Skovand]

One thing to consider is how are they taking it in and how much? Such as in the Harvard Health article mentioned.

Most cannabis is now consumed in edibles and vapes at 35% thc content and in those higher doses at heavy use, several times a week for years resulted in 5% decrease in cognitive processing. But those using it was like 5-10% and once or less a week seemed to have had no negative impacts.

Eating fried foods and meat will be fare more responsible for an increase in health issues. With that said, at this time I don’t use it at all. It’s illegal in my state and not worth the risk. If it was not illegal, I would use it sometimes as a way for deeper longer sleep. The 2-3% thc pills. Fraction of the cost of most sleeping pills with a fraction of the negative consequences.

 

[JohnDB]

Being chemical dependent has far reaching effects....
I have witnessed this first hand through a relative who has used Marijuana all of his adult life.

And the result is that he can no longer cognitively process any emotions properly anymore. Not joy, not grief, nor anger. He is an emotional train wreck. No one can stand to be around him for any length of time. It's not within him to regulate himself with respect to his emotions anymore. His outbursts are legendary and eventually will cost him career, pension, and freedom (incarceration).

Otherwise a highly intelligent and highly skilled craftsman in all sorts of mediums. Not much (aside from electrical) that he cannot create, repair, or make new.
If he can remain calm throughout the entire project.....(Which is becoming increasingly difficult as he approaches 60)

He can't stop his chemical dependent behaviors anymore than he can control his own emotions. He is too old to change. These things have completely mastered him and he is a slave to them. A remarkable guy with remarkable talents who became unremarkable by his chemical dependent lifestyle. Just a little Marijuana and alcohol....that's it....that's all....it's not as innocent as it's purported to be.

 

[Galgal]

They had a Amendment to allow recreational marijuana in our state, but it was rejected. But many are getting 'medical marijuana' to get arround the law, so what are its effects? Here is a study I came across on this..
"Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA. This genotoxicity can result in mutations, accelerated aging, and birth defects, with potential to be passed on to future generations through egg and sperm. Insights from broader mitochondrial research provide a mechanistic understanding of how cannabis affects genetic stability.
Key Facts:

• Cannabis damages DNA, increasing cancer risk and accelerating aging.
• Genotoxic effects of cannabis can be inherited by future generations.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction links cannabis use to chromosomal damage."

Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes, Cancer Risk - Neuroscience News

Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA.

neurosciencenews.com

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. (Song of Solomon 2:5)

This is not a correct translation. It actually says:
Stay me with hashish, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. (Song of Solomon 2:5)

אֲשִׁישָׁה

ashishah - These are cakes with cannabis leaves. This method of using cannabis was used in Egypt until recently. King David treated the Israelites to this same "ashishah":

And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. (2 Samuel 6:19)

The intoxicating effect of such cakes prompted the Israelites to use them in cults of worship of other gods:

Then said the Lord unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. (Hosea 3:1)

The Hebrew word "ashishah" does not have the root "wine"; it is actually cannabis cakes.

Another use of hashish is prescribed in the Torah:

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, (Exodus 30:23)

There is written in Hebrew "kaneh bosem", "cannabis". Literally "kaneh bosem" is translated as "cane balm". This is resin from cannabis plants, it is added to the sacred ointment for anointing priests and temple utensils. Now in Israel, archaeologists have discovered an ancient altar that has preserved a large amount of hashish resin in its stones.

The use of such an unusual substance for perfume purposes guarantees that no perfumer would ever think of doing this. The Law of Moses forbids such an ointment composition under penalty of death.

 

[Skovand]

There is nothing in seeing in any scholarly source supporting what you are saying.

This is exodus 30:23

Exodus 30:23 Hebrew Text Analysis

This is for Bosem “sweet smelling”

Strong's Hebrew: 1314. בְּשָׂמִים (bosem) -- spices, balsam, fragrant

We see it used many times all over .

This is for cane “qaneh” reed.

That’s unrelated to finding cannabis residue in the altars.

 

[Galgal]

There is nothing in seeing in any scholarly source supporting what you are saying.

This is exodus 30:23

Exodus 30:23 Hebrew Text Analysis

This is for Bosem “sweet smelling”

Strong's Hebrew: 1314. בְּשָׂמִים (bosem) -- spices, balsam, fragrant

We see it used many times all over .

This is for cane “qaneh” reed.

That’s unrelated to finding cannabis residue in the altars.

Official scientific sources can be corrupted by religious tradition. You need to look at the Hebrew roots of words yourself. I learned about "ashisha" from a Hebrew teacher. And there are scientific sources about "kaneh bosem", this version has been known for a long time. I agree with this version, because it is the presence of hashish that makes the mixture for anointing priests unique. Any other compositions can be made by perfumers when they experiment with different mixtures. But the law requires that no one should ever make such a composition.

 

[Skovand]

Official scientific sources can be corrupted by religious tradition. You need to look at the Hebrew roots of words yourself. I learned about "ashisha" from a Hebrew teacher. And there are scientific sources about "kaneh bosem", this version has been known for a long time. I agree with this version, because it is the presence of hashish that makes the mixture for anointing priests unique. Any other compositions can be made by perfumers when they experiment with different mixtures. But the law requires that no one should ever make such a composition.

So I did not mention scientific evidence. I mentioned scholarly which includes both Jewish snd Hebrew scholarship.

Which scholar’s work are you looking at that shows what you are saying?

 

[Galgal]

So I did not mention scientific evidence. I mentioned scholarly which includes both Jewish snd Hebrew scholarship.

Which scholar’s work are you looking at that shows what you are saying?

Early Diffusion and Folk Uses of Hemp (1967)

 

[Skovand]

I see numerous sources making the claim, but nothing serious in scholarship. Also…. It mentions it as a marsh plant. Which cannabis is not. Some hemp was being used, but none of it with concentrated thc. Maybe 1-3% at bet.

Seems more like a heavily shared myth and less so a fact. Even with the root words .

 

[BlueNightingale]

Sorry to be so blunt, but I've been around a lot of it in my life and the people using marijuana for recreational use (escapism) tend to be pretty absent from reality.

We don't really need scientific studies to change our opinion of what we already know.

But I also don't care. I just think it's unwise.

 

[Rockerduck]

All the heavy users I knew are now a was, because different ailments killed them, with exception of one who lived after a stroke. All were brain dead and talked like Cheech and Chong.

 

[Skovand]

Most of the people I know who uses it recreationally, like once a week or every other week, or uses thc pills for sleeping medication are all still very active successful people with just a few exceptions and that’s probably because they mostly are getting messed up from getting drunk or taking pills. Half the scientists I know , with several who also became professors, occasionally still use thc usually in things like soda or gummies and are still thinking at above average speeds and very successful. One is an author and leading a major scientific organization focused on forest ecology to save birds. They’ve been using it for 45+ years.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

All the heavy users I knew are now a was, because different ailments killed them, with exception of one who lived after a stroke. All were brain dead and talked like Cheech and Chong.

Hey ! Man ! an't Chong smart man ! !! He and Cheech did all of them reality shows Man !

For what i seen of a mate, that smoked dope everyday like full on for years ! was when he gave up the weed he is back to his old self, like he is down to earth again. I would say he was on his own trip for all them years !
On the dope he was like, yeear man, and then it was like he had just tuned out ? I would remind him again and it was like yeear man oh I for got about that man.
Like Chong left them Dudes in the Trunk of the car at the drivein.

The thing is now he is old now and worn out, he was a brickies labour and worked hard and also took lots of Speed.

From what i have seen of people on Speed is they loose it and become idiots, they are someone else ? and become nasty or do not care about others.
Women love Speed as it keeps the weight off, but they become nasty nasty and stupid mean ! I think that's what drives much of DV.

In Australia they are on about Domestic Violence with TV adds and taking a childish stupid nonsense ends to such i think, it's more like big bro and BS ! Stupid Laws ! etc. like a dog chasing it's tail like stupid nonsense.
When Cops come out to such things, they should not be involved truly unless their is fighting going on ? but i believe you need mental health care specialist ? Because Cops do not have the skills to truly deal with such things that well ! and when things go real wrong they blame the Cops !
I believe regarding bad cases of abuse, to get a mental health officer that can take or order one a blood test of such idiots ! and then keep an eye on such people as they see fit ! for drugs are the main problem of such. and as well as people who are drinking like an idiot ! they get out of control and then such issues come up !

But as i see it now it's just the legal people making money out of such ? so the Governments truly laughing at it all and hell bent on making stupid Laws, just to put a show on, for people to swallow that the Gov is trying to do something about all such ? but they are clearly not serious about all such at all. because all that the Gov work at is trying to undermine everyone, the idiot laws attack people who do not need such.
The Cops came to a mates place and took him down to the Station, just because he raised his voice ! he has never hit a woman ever. He just did not want her 14yo daughter having sex in his house !

 

[Stash]

For over 50 years I smoke on almost a daily basis
I married two women that I should not have when I was high. I bought a couple cars when I was high that turned out to be a bad move. That’s why you shouldn’t buy real estate or anything even if you’re drunk.
When my preacher told me that if you’re high or smoking pot, the antichrist will eat you up
It’s been two months and I will never touch it again
It took me getting the flu and my lungs badly scared of crap out of me. You know Covid.
But it was the talk of the antichrist and his manipulation, and my delusion of smoking pot would fall right into the trap. So what did I do? I went to the dispensary anyway and crashed my car.
And I thank God for that
For saving my soul
If That didn’t make me quit nothing would
It’s a very dangerous drug

 

[maria878]

They had a Amendment to allow recreational marijuana in our state, but it was rejected. But many are getting 'medical marijuana' to get arround the law, so what are its effects? Here is a study I came across on this..
"Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA. This genotoxicity can result in mutations, accelerated aging, and birth defects, with potential to be passed on to future generations through egg and sperm. Insights from broader mitochondrial research provide a mechanistic understanding of how cannabis affects genetic stability.
Key Facts:

• Cannabis damages DNA, increasing cancer risk and accelerating aging.
• Genotoxic effects of cannabis can be inherited by future generations.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction links cannabis use to chromosomal damage."

Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes, Cancer Risk - Neuroscience News

Research indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA.

neurosciencenews.com

Digging through this archive because the mitochondrial damage argument is still a massive blind spot for most users. Hobie's post hits the mark—THC directly alters cellular energy production. Most people consuming it don't even grasp the chemistry behind decarboxylation or how heat-activated compounds interact with DNA stability over years of use. It’s not a neutral habit; it’s a cumulative cellular shift that most people realize way too late.

 

[doctrox]

@Hobie's OP:

What does Long Term Cannabis Use Do to the Body?

Marijuana is an addictive psychotropic drug and a gateway drug.

The claim that marijuana is not addictive is false. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a recognized psychiatric diagnosis in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), page 509, defined as continued cannabis use despite clinically significant impairment. The DSM-5 also recognizes a cannabis withdrawal syndrome: dysphoria, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite, and restlessness that typically begin within the first week of abstinence and resolve over 1-3 weeks.

By the numbers: approximately 30% of all cannabis users develop CUD at some point. Among those who use daily or near-daily, 17-19% develop dependence. In 2024, nearly 7% of all US teens and adults met the diagnostic criteria for CUD; among those aged 18-25, the rate was nearly 16%. Among teenagers ages 12-17 who use cannabis, 45.2% meet criteria for a substance use disorder. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls this a public health emergency.

The comparison to other drugs is instructive. Roughly 9% of tobacco users become dependent, 15% of alcohol users, 23% of heroin users, and 30% of cannabis users. Cannabis is more addictive than tobacco by this measure. The common cultural framing, that weed is harmless and non-addictive while tobacco is dangerous, does not survive contact with the data.

Daily cannabis users are 5 times more likely to develop psychosis than non-users. The association between high-potency cannabis and psychosis is particularly strong: users of 30%-plus THC products show dramatically elevated psychosis risk compared to users of lower-potency products. A 2019 European multicenter study published in The Lancet found that use of high-potency cannabis products was associated with 5 times the risk of psychotic disorder compared to non-use. In cities where the most potent strains dominated the market, such as Amsterdam and London, the investigators attributed nearly half of the new psychosis cases to cannabis use.

Total US cannabis use has surged. In 2024, 44.3 million Americans used cannabis monthly. Cannabis use rates among adults now exceed tobacco use rates for the first time in American history. Rates of substance use disorder involving marijuana are 3.7 times higher in 2024 than in 2015. This is not a stable situation; it is an accelerating one.

References:

Freeman T, et al. Changes in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations in cannabis over time: systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 2020.

ElSohly MA, et al. Changes in cannabis potency over the last two decades (1995-2014): analysis of current data in the United States. Biological Psychiatry, 2016.

Lac A, Luk JW. Testing the amotivational syndrome: marijuana use longitudinally predicts lower self-efficacy even after controlling for demographics, personality, and alcohol and cigarette use. Prevention Science, 2018.

Martz ME, et al. Association of marijuana use with blunted nucleus accumbens response to reward anticipation. JAMA Psychiatry, 2016.

Di Forti M, et al. The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): a multicentre case-control study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2019.

Hasin DS, et al. Prevalence of marijuana use disorders in the United States between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. JAMA Psychiatry, 2015.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2024.

Freeman TP, Winstock AR. Examining the profile of high-potency cannabis and its association with severity of cannabis dependence. Psychological Medicine, 2015.

Monitoring the Future Survey. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 2023.

Cannabis Use Disorder. StatPearls. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), updated 2025.

Sorry to bust your buzz with this one.