We Have To Talk About Weed

Cannabis has been a controversial topic for decades, but as more and more places around the world move to decriminalize and legalize it, it’s time to take an honest look at the latest research on the potential upsides and downsides of this increasingly popular substance.

The Changing Cannabis Landscape

Over the past century, cannabis has been vilified and criminalized to a ridiculous degree. But now, with legalization spreading, the narrative around weed has shifted dramatically. In many places, it’s now seen as a relatively harmless substance, especially compared to legal drugs like alcohol.

However, this narrative has also gone too far in the other direction. While it’s true that cannabis is much less harmful than alcohol – which causes 1 in 20 deaths globally each year – it does have some significant downsides that are often overlooked or minimized.

The main reason for this is that for a long time, cannabis was so heavily criminalized that it was extremely difficult for researchers to study its long-term effects, especially at higher doses. But as legalization has progressed, that’s starting to change, and the latest research is revealing a more nuanced picture.

The Potency Problem

One of the key changes in the cannabis landscape is the increasing potency of the products available. Over the past few decades, the concentration of THC – the main psychoactive compound in cannabis – has more than doubled in legal and illegal products in the US, Canada, and Europe.

This trend towards higher and higher THC levels is being driven by consumer demand for more intense highs, as well as the development of new cannabis strains and products like edibles and concentrates that can contain over 60% THC.

Unfortunately, the research is clear that the more potent the cannabis, the more likely it is to cause problems. Higher THC levels are associated with:

Increased risk of cannabis use disorder (addiction)
Worse withdrawal symptoms
More severe negative impacts on the brain, especially in teenagers

The Addiction Problem

One of the biggest myths about cannabis is that it’s not addictive. While it’s true that the majority of users don’t develop a serious problem, studies show that around 2 in 10 cannabis users do develop a cannabis use disorder (CUD).

CUD is characterized by a range of symptoms, including:

Inability to cut down or control use
Continuing to use despite negative consequences
Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms

The risk factors for developing CUD include:

Higher THC levels
More frequent use
Younger age when starting to use

For about 1 in 10 users, the addiction becomes severe, with their cannabis use significantly impairing their life and functioning. These heavy, daily users often experience negative moods, irritability, restlessness, paranoia, anxiety, and even depression.

Ironically, many of these users feel like they need cannabis to cope with these symptoms, when in reality the cannabis is often making them worse and more persistent. There’s also a strong link between heavy cannabis use and loneliness, with the two reinforcing each other in a vicious cycle.

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The Brain Damage Problem

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of heavy, long-term cannabis use is the potential for damage to the brain. While the research is still inconclusive in many areas, there is evidence that THC can interfere with critical brain chemistry and potentially alter brain structure, at least in the short term.

The most common cognitive impacts of heavy cannabis use include:

Significantly worse memory
Reduced ability to learn, reason, perceive, pay attention, make decisions, and control impulses
Poorer language skills

For most people, these effects seem to diminish or even disappear after quitting cannabis. But the jury is still out on whether the damage is truly reversible, especially for those who started using heavily at a young age.

And the risks for teenagers are even more severe. Studies show that heavy cannabis use during adolescence is associated with:

Much higher likelihood of developing a cannabis use disorder
Poorer academic performance and lower educational attainment
Increased risk of mental health issues like psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety

The younger someone starts using cannabis regularly or in high doses, the greater the potential for lasting harm to their developing brain.

A Nuanced Perspective

It’s important to note that the Kurzgesagt video, and this blog post, have focused primarily on the negative aspects of cannabis use. This is because the goal was to provide a counterbalance to the overly positive narrative that has emerged in recent years.

But the reality is that for most people, cannabis in moderation is relatively harmless, especially compared to other legal drugs like alcohol. The upsides of cannabis – the relaxation, the altered sensations, the pain relief – are real, and for many users, the benefits outweigh the risks.

The key is finding the right balance and being honest about the potential downsides, especially for younger users and those prone to addiction. Criminalization has done nothing to address these issues, and in fact has made the situation worse by hampering research and driving the market towards more potent products.

Legalization provides an opportunity to take a more nuanced, evidence-based approach – one that acknowledges both the upsides and downsides of cannabis, and focuses on harm reduction rather than outright prohibition.

Embracing Optimistic Nihilism

As the Kurzgesagt video mentions, the channel’s philosophy of “optimistic nihilism” is all about embracing the fact that we only get one shot at life, and using that as motivation to do what truly makes us happy.

This philosophy is reflected in Kurzgesagt’s new special drop collection, which includes products like the “Optimistic Nihilist” t-shirt, a cozy sweater that reminds you of your place in the universe, and a scarf that captures the duality of dread and awe.

These products are designed to inspire and comfort, to remind you that even in a cold and foreign-feeling universe, you have the power to find meaning and joy. And of course, purchasing these items supports the continued creation of Kurzgesagt’s thought-provoking and educational content.

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Conclusion

Cannabis is a complex and nuanced topic, with both upsides and downsides that are often oversimplified or misrepresented. While it’s true that cannabis is much less harmful than other legal drugs, it does have the potential to cause significant problems for a sizable minority of users, especially younger people and those prone to addiction.

The key is to approach the issue with honesty, nuance, and a focus on harm reduction. Legalization provides an opportunity to do that, but it also comes with a responsibility to educate the public and ensure that cannabis is treated with the appropriate respect as a potentially addictive substance.

By embracing this more balanced perspective, we can enjoy the benefits of cannabis while mitigating the risks. And by supporting educational content like that produced by Kurzgesagt, we can continue to advance the public’s understanding of this complex and important issue.