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Can Weed Stunt Your Growth? Marijuana also known as weed, pot, or cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world with its highest use in Zambia, the United States, and Canada. Since weed has been legalized in many countries a 2022 study found that legalization of weed had led to a 20% increase in its use in the United States. There is a high debate, particularly around its effects on health. A study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that about 147 million people consume cannabis and its abuse has grown more rapidly than cocaine and opiate abuse in the present decade.
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states “In 2022, 30.7% of 12th graders reported using cannabis in the past year, and 6.3% reported using cannabis daily in the past 30 days.” Teenagers may say that it is harmless because it is natural, it is not addictive, and can not affect my thinking or my grades” but in reality, all of it is false.
Marijuana can cause serious problems with learning, feelings, and health. These days, more people are smoking and vaping THC-rich extracts from marijuana. There’s a common belief that weed stunts growth, but many think it’s just a myth. Let’s clear up the confusion and look at the scientific research on this topic to understand the truth.
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Does cannabis affect growth rate?
Some studies have shown that heavy weed use during adolescence is associated with stunted growth. Recent studies have shown that marijuana is associated with stunted growth. A research done by Dr. Syed Rizvi and Pir Ali Shah at the Agriculture University in Rawalpindi wrote “Marijuana use may provoke stress responses resulting in stimulation of pubertal development and suppression of growth rate.”
They studied the hormones in the blood of 437 boys including those smoking weed every day and they found out that testosterones were higher and growth hormones were reduced.
They also found that by the age of 20, people who don’t use weed were average 4kg(8.8 lbs) and 4.6 inches(11.6cm) taller than smokers.
Although some studies have shown that smoking weed does not lead to any stunted growth, one research published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has shown that heavy weed use was associated with a decrease in 0.7 inches of height in males and 0.6 inches in females. Another study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found no significant association between weed use and height in young adults.
According to a research finding by NIH“There is a case report of a 16-year-old who experienced delayed puberty and low testosterone levels associated with heavy cannabis use. Upon discontinuation of cannabis, his testosterone levels increased, along with advancements in growth velocity and pubertal development”
What is Weed?
Marijuana comes from the plant cannabis sativa and contains the chemical responsible for its mind-altering effects which is called THC.
It is one of the most common drugs used in the US, particularly among young people.
It is the most used drug among young people according to the monitoring of the future survey which showed that 30.7% of 12th graders used marijuana in 2022. Additionally has been increased by consuming cannabis through vaping, In 2022, 20.6% of 12th graders vaped marijuana in the past year and 2.1% did so daily.
How is weed consumed?
Joints, pipes, and blunts are some ways people use weed along with vapes which are devices that extract THC and other active ingredients from marijuana and collect the vapor which is then inhaled. Additionally they can be consumed as edibles like by mixed into food and brewed into tea.
Short-Term Effects of Marijuana:
- Altered Senses
- Mood Swings
- Difficulty in coordination and motor skills.
- Short-term memory issues
- Hallucinations, Delusions, and Psychosis.
Long Terms Effects of Marijuana
- Marijuana contains THC that can lead to potent effects and a high risk of harmful reactions and addiction.
- Their long-term use can lead to severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
- It increases heart rate so there is a large risk of heart attack in weed consumers.
- Regularly smoking weed can cause breathing issues and even chronic lung infections.
- The decline in IQ, learning, memory, and thinking is very normal in people who take weed in adolescence.
In conclusion while research on the impact of heavy cannabis usage during adolescence remains inconclusive, there have been studies suggesting that regular weed use may lead to higher testosterone levels and reduced growth hormone, resulting in stunted growth and lower weight in users compared to non-users. However, findings are mixed, with some studies showing no significant correlation between marijuana use and height, while others report slight decreases in height among users.
Additionally, case reports have highlighted the possibility of delayed puberty and low testosterone levels in heavy cannabis users, with improvements observed after cessation. These varied outcomes underscore the need for further research to fully understand the long-term effects of marijuana on adolescent growth and development.
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