Are Females More Susceptible To The Effects Of Marijuana?

Researchers have recently conducted a study on the effects of THC the key ingredient in cannabis on men and women.  It was discovered that smoking concentrated marijuana on a daily basis may be riskier for females due to the hormone estrogen. Marijuana is the most common drug used by young people in the United States today and use of the drug is currently on the rise.

What is marijuana?

Marijuana is a gray or green mix of shredded, dried flowers from the hemp plant.  There are around 400 different chemicals in marijuana, but THC is the one that affects the brain most powerfully.  Marijuana is known by many different names and these include; pot, herb, reefer, grass and weed. 

What is THC?

THC is the chemical in marijuana which gives a user the “high” feeling.  Certain parts of the hemp plant contain a higher saturation of THC.  When marijuana is smoked the THC goes into the bloodstream, through the lungs and directly to the brain. A high from marijuana can last for up to 12 hours and THC is absorbed by the body fat and released back into the bloodstream very slowly.  

What are the side effects of marijuana in men?

In males the most common side effects of marijuana include; decreased testosterone levels, lowered sperm count, extinguished sexual desire, enhance cancer risk and enlarged breasts.  Regular marijuana use in men can also cause an increase in the number of immature and abnormal sperm.  Men of all ages need to know the harmful side effects of marijuana abuse before they decide to use the drug.

What are the side effects of marijuana in women?

Just like with men, the side effects of marijuana on women happens in the part of the brain which controls the hormones that determine the sequence of the menstrual cycle.  

Even though the effects of marijuana abuse may be reversed, it can take several months before the female body goes back to normal.

See Also: Marijuana: Pros And Cons

What are some important things a woman should consider before engaging in long-term marijuana use?

Long-term marijuana smoking can cause changes in the human brain and lead to an increased risk of compulsive drug seeking, abuse and addiction. Other factors to consider with long-term marijuana smoking are an increased risk of depression and schizophrenia.  The risks for long-term marijuana use are not only confined to women, but men also experience many unhealthy side effects and can suffer from the same symptoms and much more.

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Marijuana Use In Women?

Marijuana produces many long term effects in women and these may include any or all of the following:

• Cancer: Marijuana contains the same cancer producing chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke.
• Birth defects:  If women smoke marijuana during pregnancy, it can lead to an increased risk of birth defects.
• Immune system issues: Long-term smoking of marijuana results in the THC causing damage to the cells and tissues of the body, and it can result in less protection against diseases and illnesses.
• Learning, energy and memory impairment and difficulties.
• Breathing problems: People who smoke marijuana long-term are more likely to face breathing issues, much like what a cigarette smoker would such as coughing, wheezing, and COPD-like symptoms.
• Fertility: A woman who smokes marijuana long-term could experience impaired fertility.  Long-term marijuana smoking causes a sharp drop in reproductive hormones.  Smoking marijuana long-term could result in a decreased ability to conceive, but generally it does not lead a woman to experience complete infertility.

What were the results of the research study involving the effects of marijuana on women?

In research led by Professor Rebecca Craft of Washington State University, it was established women were more prone to cannabis abuse and dependence than men.  

With recent legislation concerning cannabis legalization in Washington and Colorado, it is now more important than ever to understand the effects of marijuana and how it acts differently in men verses women. Professor Craft found the “munchies” effect appears to be the only THC reaction where men showed more sensitivity than women.

Why is Professor Crafts study so unique?

The study Professor Craft conducted is so unique in that it is one of the few that has been conducted on females, because males normally have a more stable hormonal profile.  Working with female rats in the laboratory, Craft and her team routinely manipulated hormones and monitored the female subjects across their cycle to see if drug sensitivity changes with exposure to drugs. 

What was so surprising about the study?

The biggest surprise finding of the study was the pain relieving effects of THC in female and male rats.  After approximately ten days of treatment, the tolerance levels of females were significantly higher than that of the male subjects.  Further studies will need to be conducted to include different types of chronic pain, such as; Crohn’s disease, debilitating back or joint pain, cancer, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, spinal injuries and more. 

See Also: Marijuana: A Healer Or A Killer?

Outcome:

Marijuana is very different than it was 40-years ago and the varieties seen today have a much higher THC concentration, which makes it more potent and less is needed to get “high”.  The effects of marijuana in females are questionable, because the long-term impact of repeated THC exposure is not yet fully understood.   While the benefits of smoking pot may be overstated by advocates of the drug, with the new sweeping legalization going on across the United States, more research is needed to fully understand exactly how women are impacted and if it is beneficial or not.