The Shocking Hidden Dangers of Cannabis and High-Potency THC

Below is an article from Psychology Today and everyone needs to read it thoroughly and believe it. If you have kids, talk to them about marijuana BEFORE they try it. Most kids WILL try it. You’d be surprised. Brain and behavioral effects on teens and young adults are of special concern. Kids can begin experimenting with marijuana as early as 11 to 13 years old, typically around middle school age. However, in some cases, children may encounter it even earlier due to peer influence or family exposure. Also of special concern are born again believers. The Bible classifies ANY mind-altering substance as WITCHCRAFT! No one who practices witchcraft will make it to Heaven – NO ONE! I will address this in a future article.

Key points

• The increasing potency of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis raises serious concerns about health risks.
• Cannabis experts worry about brain health and development with cannabis use, especially in teens.
• Endocannabinoid research may yield treatments for cannabis use disorder, sleep problems, and pain.

The word “cannabis” refers to all products derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, which contains about 540 chemical substances. “Marijuana” refers to parts of or products from the plant containing substantial amounts of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the intoxicating substance primarily responsible for affecting a person’s mental state. More than 100 other cannabinoid substances have been identified, but the key cannabinoids are THC and cannabidiol, or CBD.

The FDA has not approved the cannabis plant for any medical use. However, the FDA has approved several drugs containing individual cannabinoids. For example, Epidiolex, containing a purified form of CBD derived from cannabis, is approved for treating seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare, severe forms of epilepsy. Cannabis products have diversified significantly, especially with the legalization and commercialization of cannabis in many areas.

Modern cannabis products contain higher concentrations of THC compared to traditional flowers (bud). Marijuana tested at Woodstock in 1969 was usually Cannabis sativa at 1% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Today’s cannabis flower typically contains >15% THC. Concentrates are highly potent extracts of cannabis that can exceed 90% THC levels. For example, wax is a concentrate, a soft, waxy substance extracted from cannabis with a THC concentration >60%. Shatter is a glass-like, brittle concentrate that shatters when broken and can have a THC concentration of 90%. THC Diamonds, Dabs, Moon Rocks, Crumble, Live Resin, and Rosin are ultrahigh THC preparations. Edibles like gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and beverages typically are 5–10 mg, but 100 mg per package are sold too. Vapes (Cartridges) for vaporizing cannabis oil have a THC concentration of 50-95%. Lastly, THC Isolate is a pure THC crystal or powder devoid of other cannabinoids and terpenes, which can have a THC Concentration of 99%+. Tinctures taken orally or sublingually are 10–50 mg THC per ml, while infused beverages are 5–20 mg per serving.

More THC, More Often = More Risks

The potency of THC in cannabis products is increasing, with potential health implications. High-potency THC products (like concentrates and isolates) are more likely to cause dependency, cognitive impairments, and adverse effects, including anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis, especially in vulnerable populations or heavy users. Studies have explored the relationship between higher THC doses and health outcomes, including cannabis use disorder (CUD), cardiovascular issues, psychosis, depression, suicide, violence, and impaired driving. Regular use of high-potency cannabis is associated with an increased likelihood of dependence, craving, and withdrawal symptoms.

Individuals consuming high-THC cannabis daily are more prone to schizophrenia and early-onset psychosis, suggesting that there is a dose-response relationship between THC potency and adverse mental health outcomes. Additionally, the CDC notes that cannabis use can increase risks for psychosis or schizophrenia, especially in men and those starting use at an early age. Daily use of high-potency cannabis also contributes to an earlier onset of psychosis in users.

The cardiovascular effects of cannabis, particularly high-THC products, include increased heart rate and blood pressure, which may exacerbate underlying heart conditions and induce heart-related emergencies. Acute use may increase heart rate and blood pressure, triggering cardiovascular events in susceptible individuals.

THC impairs motor coordination, reaction time, and judgment, increasing risks for motor-vehicle and other accidents, and higher THC doses cause more impairment. Furthermore, individuals with THC in their system may be more likely to cause accidents.

Ultra-High-Dose THC

Cannabis products like concentrates (wax, shatter, oils), may reach very high THC levels of 60–90%. The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to high-dose THC due to ongoing brain development, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Exposure to high levels of THC during this critical period can have significant, lasting effects on brain structure, function, and behavior. Ultra-high-potency products are linked to increased risks of addiction, psychosis, and other adverse effects. Research shows that the prevalence of CUD is higher in states with recreational cannabis laws.

THC and the Adolescent Brain

Researchers have identified key risks from high-THC exposure for adolescent brains. For example, THC disrupts the hippocampus, a region critical for memory formation; disruption may lead to difficulties in learning and retaining information. Long-term cannabis use initiated during adolescence is associated with a decline in IQ scores and cognitive performance. In addition, high-THC exposure can reduce gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, impairing executive functions like planning and impulse control.

THC also affects the brain’s white matter, reducing connectivity between brain regions crucial for coordinated cognitive processes. Adolescents using high-THC products are at higher risk for developing cannabis-induced psychosis and long-term psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, especially in those with a genetic predisposition. Chronic cannabis use has been linked to heightened anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicides in adolescents.

THC interferes with the development of brain circuits responsible for regulating behavior, leading to increased risk-taking and poor decision-making. THC use during adolescence can accelerate cortical thinning in the prefrontal cortex, increasing risks of cognitive deficits and heightened vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Adolescents are more likely than adults to develop cannabis use disorder due to heightened neuroplasticity during this developmental stage, making the brain more susceptible to addiction. The resulting impaired cognitive and emotional regulation may lead to academic underperformance and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Some neurobiological effects of adolescent cannabis use, such as reduced gray matter volume and altered connectivity, may persist into adulthood, even after the use of the substance is stopped.

Asking Experts about Risks and Current Issues

According to Johns Hopkins University researcher Chris Hammond, M.D,, Ph.D., rapid shifts in state and federal cannabis policies across the United States and also the commercialization and societal normalization of cannabis use carry unknown health implications for American youth. “Cannabis use is associated with suicide-related outcomes in both adolescents and adults,” Hammond observes. He notes that cannabis use and cannabis use disorders are common among youth in the U.S. and globally.

Neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd, Ph.D., of the Icahn School of Medicine emphasizes that the adolescent brain is highly vulnerable to THC due to ongoing development, especially the prefrontal cortex. Her studies demonstrate that early exposure to THC disrupts neural connections, leading to long-lasting issues with memory, learning, and emotional control. Animal research from her lab shows that THC exposure during adolescence can lead to increased sensitivity to other drugs and compulsive behaviors. The effects may persist into adulthood—or even across generations.

Hurd worries about exposure to potent cannabis and cannabinoid extracts heightening health risks for vulnerable groups associated with sensitive windows of brain development—the fetuses of pregnant women, children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

Nora Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), emphasizes non-use of cannabis and prevention. She also warns about the potential harm cannabis poses to adolescent brain development.

Challenges and Future Directions

Based on research evidence, every package of cigarettes sold in America carries strong standardized health warnings. Alcoholic beverage containers bear labels warning about risks to pregnancy. In contrast, state health warnings for cannabis use are not evidence-based. In Oregon, a label warns, “For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.” New York State’s Cannabis Control Board’s warnings are less specific: “Smoking or vaping is hazardous to health” and “Keep out of reach of children and pets.” Deploying educational campaigns, labels, and restrictions on sales and marketing of cannabis could mitigate risks.

Conclusion

Neuroscience research has advanced knowledge of cannabis pharmacology and the endocannabinoid system in the brain on which cannabis acts. Rising THC potency in cannabis correlates with increased risks of a cannabis use disorder, cardiovascular issues, psychosis, accidents, depression, and impaired driving.

Experts warn that cannabis should not be used by pregnant women, children, teens, and young adults. Cannabis use by teens and young adults is causing increasing rates of schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, and suicide.

At the same time, cannabis research has identified therapeutic ideas for pain or sleep medicines and may lead to treatments that prevent cannabis toxicity and ameliorate cannabis use disorder. Continuing research suggests that it is time to consider employing federal measures to reduce the harms associated with ultra-high-THC cannabis.

Article Source

References

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape. Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity. Boyle EB, Hurd YL, Teutsch SM, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2024 Nov 14. PMID: 39602559.

Hjorthøj C, Compton W, Starzer M, Nordholm D, Einstein E, Erlangsen A, Nordentoft M, Volkow ND, Han B. Association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia stronger in young males than in females. Psychol Med. 2023 Nov;53(15):7322-7328. doi: 10.1017/S0033291723000880. Epub 2023 May 4. PMID: 37140715; PMCID: PMC10719679.

Hurd YL, Ferland JN, Nomura Y, Hulvershorn LA, Gray KM, Thurstone C. CANNABIS USE AND THE DEVELOPING BRAIN: HIGHS AND LOWS. Front Young Minds. 2023 Aug;11:898445. doi: 10.3389/frym.2023.898445. Epub 2023 Aug 16. PMID: 37946933; PMCID: PMC10635559.

Have a blessed rest of your day! Thanks for reading this article. Please consider the cost of playing with drugs. Hoping to see you in my next post! Bye for now.