Cannabis’ popularity continues to rise in 2026, with statistics showing that approximately 15% of Americans currently use cannabis, and more than 22% have used cannabis in the past year.
As more people give up alcohol amid the Dry January trend, dispensaries are reporting a surge in marijuana sales, leading to what some industry insiders and media outlets are calling “High January.”
While the drug has been touted for potential medical benefits such as pain relief, reduced anxiety and improved sleep, experts have warned of health risks, including: cannabis use.
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“There is a widespread belief that marijuana is ‘natural’ and therefore harmless,” Corey Gamberg, a mental health and addiction expert and executive director of Rockland Recovery Center and Massachusetts Addiction Center, told FOX News Digital.
“The reality is that today’s products are much more powerful than in past decades, and we are seeing real mental, emotional and physical effects. clinical site every day. “
Trent Carter, a certified nurse, addiction recovery specialist, and founder of Renew Health, an outpatient treatment center in New Mexico, noted that marijuana has become a more commonly accepted drug, but said he has seen some negative effects in his patients.
“Over time, we found that the vast majority of people used marijuana to treat a number of mental and physical problems, only to end up with a variety of other symptoms,” he told Fox News Digital.
Gamberg warned: effects of marijuana Intended for people with underlying anxiety, depression, or trauma history.
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“Some users initially feel calm, but honestly, we often see increased anxiety, panic symptoms, emotional blunting, and in some cases, paranoia and psychosis,” he told Fox News Digital. “For vulnerable populations, marijuana can certainly worsen rather than alleviate mental health.”
This is especially dangerous with today’s cannabis products, which include: High levels of THCadded Gamberg.
A recent study by Truveta, a medical data company that aggregates de-identified electronic medical records from a large network of U.S. health systems, found that the number of emergency department visits for cannabis-related mental health disorders increased by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2020 and will remain elevated through 2023.
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“While people with mental health conditions are more likely to use cannabis, there is also evidence to suggest that cannabis use may be associated with earlier onset of certain mental illnesses,” Brianna Cartwright, principal research analyst at Truveta, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Regular use of marijuana affects all areas brain functionAccording to Gamberg, this includes attention span, memory, and motivation.
“Clinically, people describe themselves as feeling ‘stuck’ – reduced emotional responsiveness, reduced motivation, and lack of enthusiasm for life,” he says. “This can hinder recovery from work, relationships, and other mental health conditions.”
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Gamberg cautioned that the developing brain is particularly sensitive to THC.
“Early and frequent marijuana use is associated with long-term changes in cognition, emotional regulation, and an increased risk of severe substance use disorders later in life,” he told Fox News Digital. “This is one of the most concerning trends we’re seeing in treatment.”
Recent research suggests that marijuana users may face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
A meta-analysis by French researchers published in the journal Heart reviewed multiple studies involving more than 400 million patients to assess the association between cannabis and major cardiovascular adverse events.
They found a significantly increased risk of major cardiovascular events, including a 29% higher chance of heart attack, 20% higher risk of stroke, and twice the chance of cardiovascular death.
Those at highest risk were those who used cannabis at least once a week.
Marijuana’s mild sedative and relaxing effects may help people who have trouble falling asleep, but experts say there are some important points to consider before using marijuana as a sleep aid.
“THC suppresses rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, disrupting normal sleep architecture and interfering with important processes such as neuroplasticity, memory consolidation, and memory consolidation. emotional regulation” said Chelsea Loescheib, a neuroscientist and sleep expert at Wesper in New York.
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“This leads to chronic REM sleep deprivation, which ultimately leads to REM sleep rebound when marijuana use is discontinued.”
Wesper said clinical studies have also linked chronic marijuana use to decreased deep sleep and increased rates of sleep fragmentation.
“Therefore, while marijuana use may initially improve sleep quality, it should not be used long-term,” she concluded.
Gamberg agreed that marijuana can disrupt “healthy sleep architecture.”
“Over time, users often experience poor sleep quality, vivid dreams and nightmares during withdrawal, and become dependent on marijuana just to fall asleep,” he said.
Nicole Short, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who specializes in cannabis use disorders, said there is a widespread misconception that cannabis is not addictive and cannot cause substance use disorders.
“This is not true. You can become physiologically dependent on cannabis, and you can develop cannabis use disorder,” she told FOX News Digital. “There is always a risk of addiction with cannabis use, and once developed, it is difficult to treat.”
According to the CDC, approximately 30% of people who use the substance develop cannabis use disorder, a clinical condition characterized by an inability to stop using despite significant adverse effects.
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Symptoms include craving, failure to quit, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. If you stop, you will experience irritability, insomnia, anxiety and mood changessays Gunberg.
In December 2025, President Trump issued an executive order requiring marijuana to be changed from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means marijuana has accepted medical uses and is less likely to be abused.
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The executive order cites a 2023 FDA review that found scientific support for the use of medical marijuana to treat pain, loss of appetite, and nausea/vomiting.
“The reality is that the U.S. treatment of marijuana as a Schedule I substance is inconsistent with its medical value and potential for addiction compared to other substances,” said Liana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“The President’s executive order strongly supports research that helps dispel misconceptions about cannabis, whether it’s the mistaken belief that it treats anxiety or support for further research into cannabis as a drug. pain treatment” she continued.
“One thing everyone should agree on is that more research and evidence-based policymaking is needed in this area.”
Dr. Dustin Slack, an integrative physician and co-founder of Maine-based cannabinoid wellness company Healer, has this to say about the health effects of cannabis: brain and body It’s not the same for everyone.
“They vary widely depending on dose, potency, age and usage pattern,” he told FOX News Digital. “Much of the public confusion about cannabis stems from treating all exposures as the same.”
Sulak agreed that high doses can have negative effects on attention, memory, anxiety, sleep and heart health, but noted that low doses of orally administered cannabinoids “intentionally used” in adults and older adults have been shown to be effective.
“These include improved quality of life, better sleep, reduced anxiety, better pain control, improved appetite, and often less dependence on things. high risk drugs” he said.
“When discussing the effects of cannabis on mental health, heart health, and sleep, we must distinguish between high-potency recreational use and low-dose use based on medical guidance. Without that distinction, conclusions can be misleading.”
Carter emphasized that people have a right to access “objective and honest information” about marijuana and its use. Impact on happiness.
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“The conversation around cannabis cannot be laced with fear-mongering, prejudice or misinformation. At the same time, users should be aware that any substance that can alter the brain may come at a cost, especially with continued use,” he added.
Anyone who has had a negative experience Health effects If you do not use cannabis, you should consult a medical professional.
