One thing that is certain when it comes to the topic of cannabis, there are staunch advocates from both sides of the opposing viewpoints. One side says marijuana is more medicinal than merits being a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Schedule I drug, and the other side accounts for it as a gateway drug that can lead to addiction in teens. Regardless of which side you are a proponent for, one of the questions that get frequently asked is if you can overdose on marijuana? The real answer to this question is no.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a fatal overdose is unlikely although a bad reaction is very likely to occur when abusing marijuana. The symptoms that come about from abusing marijuana are the same effects that can occur from typical use although they are much more severe. Paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, panic, and anxiety can become apparent with overusing marijuana.

What this means for teens

While a teen may be attracted to trying marijuana because they perceive it to be the safest and mellowest drug out there, knowing that they cannot overdose and die from marijuana is simply a disservice to them. The potential dangers of marijuana use can be watered down compared to the stronger and illicit drugs that seem to cause more problems such as an overdose. The truth is that even though a teen cannot die from a marijuana overdose, they can cause great harm to their brain and have increased adversity to addiction.

Another problem that has had an increasing effect on teens is the new generation of marijuana which is substantially more potent than years past. Baby boomers smoked weed that had a concentration of around 3-4 percent in comparison to the millennials who are consuming marijuana that can be as high as 28 percent. The newer strains of the cannabis plant are grown with the intent to increase the THC through genetic selections and the technological advancements that growers currently use.

What this means for parents

With all the changes taking place with legalizing marijuana not just for medicinal use, but for recreational use as well, parents need to have an open dialogue with their teen. Giving a teenager knowledge with how cannabis can potentially affect their brain in the long run and make them more susceptible to becoming addicted is important to relay to them. Use the information that you should gather for yourself from articles or healthcare professionals and pass along the material to them so they can make logical decisions based on the data they need to be educated with.

If you are battling drug and alcohol addiction, The Kimberly Center can help assist you in your recovery. One of our primary purposes is to help you to restore your life free from abuse and destructive behaviors. We treat our clients on an individual basis to ensure their well-being.

Call us today to begin: 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683)