Long-term marijuana use causes lasting psychological and physical effects
Multiple recent studies and reviews indicate that long-term and contemporary marijuana use is associated with lasting mental health vulnerabilities, respiratory and physiological impacts, cannabis use disorder, and neurodevelopmental alterations.
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that long-term and regular marijuana use carries lasting psychological and physical consequences, including cannabis use disorder, mental health risks like psychosis and anxiety, respiratory symptoms from chronic smoking, and structural brain or biological aging alterations.
Chaiton M, Kundu A, Nathwani AA. Health impacts of cannabis: focus on smoking vs. vaping effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcp.0000000000001239
Paper [0] discusses physiological impacts and respiratory symptoms linked to cannabis use, though notes long-term comparative data on vaping is still emerging.
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Georgakopoulou VE, Andreikos DA, Zhu W, Spandidos DA. Cannabis use and its impact on respiratory physiology and lung cancer risk: Mechanistic and epidemiological insights (Review).. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2025.2058
Paper [1] associates chronic cannabis smoking with respiratory symptoms, airflow obstruction, and impaired immune function.
Bhangu GK, Singh A, Shah A, Malhi N. Cannabis Use in Adolescents.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2025.09.03
Paper [2] links adolescent cannabis use to adverse outcomes in brain development, mental health, and physical health across multiple body systems.
Śniadach J, Szymkowiak S, Osip P, Orlof W, Waszkiewicz N. Mental health consequences of contemporary cannabis use in Europe: potency, patterns of use, and health system context.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1778831
Paper [3] connects high-potency cannabis use to elevated risks of psychosis, anxiety, and cannabis use disorder.
Kansagara D, Terry GE, Ayers CK, D'Souza DC. Cannabis and Mental Health: A Review.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.8215
Paper [4] outlines substantial risks of adverse mental health effects, including psychosis, cannabis use disorder, and mood disorder symptom worsening from THC-predominant cannabis.
Meckes S, Kelley V, Calhoun PS, Dennis PA. Medical Cannabis Legalization and its Association with Cannabis use, Cannabis use Disorder, and Intoxicated Driving: Findings from the National Survey on Drug use and Health, 2016-2019.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-026-01626-5
Paper [5] associates state medical cannabis legalization with increased rates of cannabis use disorder and impaired driving.
Ricci V, Sarni A, De Berardis D, Martinotti G, Maina G. How adolescent cannabis use reshapes the developing brain - a systematic review.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1822300
Paper [6] finds that adolescent cannabis use is associated with structural brain changes, cognitive effects, and elevated addiction risk.
Bahji A. Cannabis Use Disorder in the Era of Legalization: Implications for Addiction Treatment Systems.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.2147/sar.s581271
Paper [7] examines cannabis use disorder as a key construct linking exposure to sustained, chronic clinical impairment.
Han DH, Keyes KM. Longitudinal Transitions Between Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms and Associations with Substance Use among US Young Adults, 2016-2023.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1097/ede.0000000000002009
Paper [8] associates cannabis use with longitudinal transitions toward internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms.
Villalba K, Attonito J, Newins A. Cannabis Expectancies as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Psychiatric Symptoms in Women With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.108318
Paper [9] finds that longer cannabis use histories correlate with higher positive expectancies alongside higher levels of anxiety and depression in vulnerable populations.
Wei K, Chen X. Current marijuana use is cross-sectionally associated with accelerated biological aging among U.S. adults: exploring mediating effect of blood cadmium.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnha.2026.100778
Paper [10] provides epidemiological evidence linking current marijuana use to accelerated biological aging.
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