What You Should Know

Cannabis, which is also called marijuana or weed, is a drug that affects the mind and comes from the cannabis plant. People have used it for hundreds of years to ease pain, help them sleep, or make them feel calm and happy.

Some people can safely use cannabis in moderation, while others cannot. Contrary to common belief, the drug does pose genuine risks, including the potential for addiction and dependence, clinically referred to as cannabis use disorder (CUD).
Dependence is not the only threat. Heavy use, especially in teens and young adults, can make cognitive function worse. Some people say that cannabis helps with their anxiety, while others say it makes it much worse.
There is also a worrying link between using cannabis regularly, especially strains with a lot of THC, and a higher risk of psychosis. Researchers don't know yet if this is a cause-and-effect relationship, but new studies suggest it might be.
As cannabis has become more widely legal or decriminalized, making it easier to get, and as THC levels have gone up a lot over time, the drug's bad effects have become more clear.
Fortunately, there are evidence-based treatments like CBT that can help people with cannabis use disorder. Many bad physical effects, like anxiety, will also go away when you stop using or cut back a lot.

Do Something Now

Understand your motivation. : Recognizing what you get from cannabis-for example, anxiety relief-is the first step to finding healthier replacement activities.
Think about going to therapy. Therapy can help you cut back on your use and learn new ways to deal with problems, even if you don't have a CUD diagnosis.
Get help. Strong relationships can help you get better. Talk to trusted friends or family about your problems, or think about joining a support group.