The Hidden Long-Term Effects of Marijuana on Mind, Body, and Soul

Cannabis is often seen as a natural solution for stress, sleep issues, pain, or anxiety. With growing acceptance, many people view it as harmless—offering quick relief without major consequences.

But few people discuss the long-term effects of marijuana—beyond the usual mentions of forgetfulness or the "munchies."

The truth is, regular cannabis use can quietly impact your mind, body, immune system, and emotional well-being in ways that aren’t widely recognized.

If you're using marijuana to unwind, manage emotions, or cope with daily stress, it's important to understand how it may be affecting your health beneath the surface.

In this article, I'll discuss:

• The lesser-known physical and mental consequences of cannabis

• How it can disrupt digestion, sleep, immunity, and motivation

• Why symptoms often return stronger when you try to stop

• Natural ways to support your body without relying on cannabis to cope

  
  

How the Long-Term Effects of Marijuana Impact Mental Health

Many people turn to cannabis for mental health support—seeking relief from anxiety, low mood, chronic stress, or trouble sleeping. In the short term, it may seem like marijuana helps by calming nerves, easing emotional discomfort, or promoting sleep.

But when it comes to cannabis and mental health, long-term use often tells a different story.

Research shows that regular marijuana use can quietly worsen mental health symptoms over time. Instead of resolving stress, depression, or anxiety, cannabis may simply numb these issues—allowing underlying emotional imbalances to grow beneath the surface.

Common Mental Health Risks Linked to Cannabis Use:

• Disruption of sleep cycles, especially reduced REM sleep—the stage critical for emotional processing and dreaming

• Gradual decline in motivation, focus, and mental clarity (often called "brain fog")

• Increased risk of anxiety, panic episodes, and emotional instability (does weed cause anxiety? For many, yes—over time)

• Higher likelihood of developing depression, particularly in younger or frequent users

Why does this happen?

Cannabis doesn’t address the root cause of emotional distress—it often masks it. While it may temporarily soften feelings of anxiety or low mood, it prevents true emotional healing by dulling awareness and suppressing signals your body and mind are trying to send.

If you’ve noticed feeling more anxious, emotionally flat, or mentally foggy when you're not using cannabis—or needing higher amounts to feel calm—this could be a sign that your relationship with marijuana is affecting your mental health more than helping it.

🌿 The good news? By shifting from suppression to a root-cause healing approach, you can restore emotional balance—without relying on cannabis or other external substances.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Effects of Marijuana

In the short term, cannabis may feel helpful. It can bring a sense of calm, ease tension, spark laughter, or help with sleep. But the long-term effects of marijuana are often more complicated.

Why People Use It (Short-term Effects)

• Relaxation

• Mood lift or euphoria

• Increased appetite

• Reduced pain or muscle tension

• Easier time falling asleep

  
  

What Often Surfaces Later (Long-term Effects)

• Anxiety or emotional volatility

• Low motivation or “foggy” thinking

• Disrupted sleep quality (less dream activity)

• Dependency—for sleep, improved mood, fun, or relaxation

• Diminished digestive function or appetite regulation

  
  

The long-term effect of marijuana isn’t just about how it makes you feel in the moment. It’s about how it may quietly shift your nervous system, emotional processing, and body function over time.

Not only are you kicking the can down the road regarding the reasons why you’re reaching for it, you’re also shifting the normal function of your body systems. Eventually, your body will want to shift its function back to the way it was.

The Antihistamine-Like Effects of Cannabis

If you’ve experienced dry eyes, a heavy drowsy feeling, or slowed digestion after using cannabis, you’re not imagining it. These are common but rarely discussed effects that resemble the body’s reaction to antihistamines like Benadryl.

Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating inflammation, immune function, and digestion. While it’s not classified as a true antihistamine, many users report side effects similar to anti-histamines.

Common Antihistamine-Like Effects

• Dry eyes and mouth

• Drowsiness or slowed mental activity

• Reduced alertness

  
  

2016 research suggests that cannabis may also reduce stomach acid secretion, especially with chronic use. This can impair digestion and nutrient absorption—leading to bloating, discomfort, or poor protein breakdown over time.

If you rely on cannabis and struggle with fatigue, poor digestion, or foggy thinking, low stomach acid could be a hidden factor.

What About Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?

While occasional dry mouth or slowed digestion might seem mild, chronic cannabis use can, in rare cases, lead to a much more severe condition known as Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

CHS is characterized by:

• Recurring nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain or cramping

• A strange but common behavior—finding relief through hot showers or baths

  
  

Many people don’t realize their cannabis use is the cause, leading to repeated ER visits and unnecessary tests. What makes CHS tricky is that cannabis is often used to treat nausea—so users may increase consumption, unknowingly worsening the problem.

The only known resolution? Stopping cannabis use entirely.

If you're experiencing unexplained digestive distress, nausea, or cycles of vomiting—and you're a regular cannabis user—it's worth exploring whether CHS could be playing a role.

And even if you don’t develop CHS, persistent digestive symptoms like bloating, fatigue, or poor appetite might be your body signaling that cannabis is quietly disrupting your gut function.

👉 Want to better understand your digestion? Learn more about gut health here.

Cannabis and the Immune System: What You Should Know

Your immune system is constantly balancing two major responses:

• Th1: Active, short-term immune defense (like fighting infections)

• Th2: Longer-term regulation (involved in allergies, inflammation, and tissue repair)

Cannabis has been shown to suppress Th1 responses while increasing Th2 responses, especially with regular use.

What This Means for Regular Users

• You may become more prone to allergies (seasonal, food, chemical)

• You may develop chronic, low-grade inflammation or immune imbalance

If you're wondering about cannabis and the immune system: This shift in immune balance can be subtle at first but may become a barrier to deeper healing over time.

The Emotional and Spiritual Costs of Cannabis

While cannabis can ease mental tension, it may also dull emotional insight and create a sense of detachment from deeper truths.

Numb Instead of Present

• Cannabis often prevents people from fully feeling and moving through emotions.

• Over time, this can disconnect them from clarity, motivation, or purpose.

• Many chronic users report feeling emotionally flat without it.

• In a sense, it stunts the growth of your soul by preventing you from learning from your emotional experiences.

  
  

The Spiritual Impact

From a spiritual perspective, regular cannabis use may interfere with dream activity (REM cycle suppression), inner clarity, and the ability to process messages or recognize important themes from the subconscious (through dreaming).

You might feel more cloudy, anxious, irritable, or confused when you try to take a break—not because you’re broken, but because those sensations were being masked, not healed.

When Cannabis Masks a Deeper Issue

Many people reach for cannabis not just to unwind—but to escape something they can’t name. Whether it’s discomfort, boredom, or overstimulation . . . it may be pointing to a deeper issue.

Common Root Causes Being Suppressed

• Trauma or emotional wounds

• Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation

• Underlying digestive or hormonal imbalances

• A lack of meaning, connection, or grounded purpose

In naturopathic medicine, we understand that symptoms are not mistakes—they’re messages. Cannabis can quiet those messages, but it can’t answer them; only you can.

Enjoying this perspective on root-cause healing?

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Natural Alternatives for Anxiety, Sleep, and Mood Support

If you’re trying to cut back or take a break from cannabis but don’t want to feel overwhelmed, there are natural tools that can support you in reconnecting with your body:

Naturopathic Support Options

• Adaptogens like Ashwagandha or Rhodiola rosea can support energy and mood

  
  

• Calming herbs like Passionflower, Skullcap, or Chamomile for calming the nervous system

  
  

• Breathwork or meditation to regulate your nervous system, and although they aren’t nearly as sedating as marijuana, their effects will add up over time as you learn to self-regulate

  
  

• Homeopathy to support emotional healing, improved awareness of problematic patterns, and shifts in perspective

  
  

• Dreamwork or journaling to process the deeper messages your body may be holding

  
  

The Hidden Long-Term Effects of Marijuana: What Is Your Body Telling You?

Cannabis is an herbal medicine—and like all medicines, it has a time and a place. But if you find yourself needing it more often, or struggling with symptoms when you try to stop, it may be time to ask what your body is really trying to say.

True healing doesn’t come from suppressing and silencing. It comes from listening.

By stepping away from suppression and toward root-cause healing, you open the door to deeper emotional clarity, physical balance, and spiritual insight.

Ready to Explore a More Rooted Approach to Health?

If you're looking to move beyond symptom management and address the deeper causes of your health challenges—I invite you to start with a free resource:

👉 Download the True Cause of Illness & Self-Healing

👉Or contact me to explore whether my approach is a good fit for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cannabis cause long-term anxiety or depression?

While cannabis may offer short-term relief from stress or low mood, regular use has been linked to increased anxiety, mood swings, and a higher risk of developing depression over time. This is especially true when cannabis is used to numb emotional discomfort rather than addressing the root cause. Chronic use can also disrupt sleep cycles and emotional processing, contributing to mental health challenges.

What is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition that affects some long-term cannabis users. It’s characterized by recurring episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Many people with CHS don’t realize cannabis is the cause, as it’s often used to treat nausea. A telltale sign is finding relief through hot showers or baths. The only known solution is to stop cannabis use entirely.

Can cannabis weaken the immune system?

Yes, research suggests that chronic cannabis use can shift immune function—suppressing acute responses (which help fight infections) while promoting a state more prone to allergies and chronic inflammation. This can leave you more susceptible to frequent illnesses, food sensitivities, or lingering fatigue.

Does cannabis affect digestion?

Cannabis may reduce stomach acid production over time, which can impair digestion and nutrient absorption. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, indigestion, fatigue, or brain fog. In rare cases, chronic use may also trigger Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

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References

1. Abdel-Salam O. Gastric acid inhibitory and gastric protective effects of Cannabis and cannabinoids. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2016 May;9(5):413-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27261847/

2. Massi P, Vaccani A, Parolaro D. Cannabinoids, immune system and cytokine network. Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(24):3135-46. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16918439/

3. Newton C, Klein T, Friedman H. The role of macrophages in THC-induced alteration of the cytokine network. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1998;437:207-14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9666273/