Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Print The Truth Behind Marijuana Myths By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 More in Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Some enthusiastic marijuana users are prone to giving elaborate justifications for their drug use, leaving many to wonder, "Does weed really relieve stress or make you more peaceful?" Indeed, there are a number of myths about marijuana, and not everyone experiences this drug the same way. However, there is a growing body of research to indicate what the potential benefits and drawbacks are of marijuana use. Myths Marijuana is safer than tobacco Marijuana makes people mellow Marijuana increases sexual arousal Marijuana is safe because it's "natural" Facts Any type of smoke inhalation increases your risk of lung cancer Some users experience greater stress and anxiety It tends to lower inhibitions, but sexual effects are variable Even plant-based products can pose health dangers 1 Myth: Marijuana Always Reduces Stress and Anxiety Kosamtu / Getty Images The subduing effects of marijuana may initially make users feel less anxious and stressed. However, some individuals may also experience a rebound effect of increased anxiety after the drug wears off. The fear of getting caught and charged (depending on the laws of where you are using marijuana) may also increase the stress in some marijuana users. Some long-term users have been found to have increased difficulty dealing with the stresses of day-to-day life. 2 Myth: Marijuana Makes You More Peaceful Deux/The Image Bank/Getty Images Marijuana was promoted in the 1960s as being the drug of love and peace. While weed does often temporarily subdue users—and can even decrease energy and vigor after long-term use—it does not necessarily reduce aggression. In fact, smoking marijuana may increase anxiety and psychoses in some susceptible people. What You Need to Know About Marijuana 3 Myth: Marijuana Is an Aphrodisiac Heath Korvola / Getty Images Marijuana does tend to reduce inhibitions and may be associated with increased sexual behavior in some circumstances. However, marijuana's impact on sexual arousal can be quite variable. 4 Myth: Marijuana Is a Safer Drug Than Alcohol or Tobacco myshkovsky/Getty Images Although alcohol and tobacco are currently legal for adults, they are both highly addictive drugs and long-term use is associated with life-threatening health effects. Marijuana use increases the risk for vascular conditions related to stroke and heart attack. It is also associated with respiratory infection, and long-term pot smoking may lead to lung cancer. Marijuana use has also been linked to certain mental health problems and the risk increases the younger a person is when they begin using marijuana. 5 Myth: Smoking Marijuana Is Healthy Because It's a Plant, Not a Drug Mikhail Meleyev / EyeEm / Getty Images There are many poisonous and hallucinogenic plants that are unhealthy for human consumption. Several drugs including weed, heroin, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and alcoholic beverages come from plants. Consuming marijuana, even though it is plant-based, still comes with health risks. The important thing to note is that there will be no "cure-all" effects of any one drug. Even for those who experience relief with marijuana, there are potential drawbacks to any drug consumption. It is best to take any widely held beliefs about any substance in moderation and to remember to act with your overall health in mind. Marijuana Can Still Cause Numerous Negative Health Problems Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR. Adverse health effects of marijuana use. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(23):2219-27. doi:10.1056%2FNEJMra1402309 Wiebe E, Just A. How Cannabis Alters Sexual Experience: A Survey of Men and Women. J Sex Med. 2019;16(11):1758-1762. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.07.023 Bridgeman MB, Abazia DT. Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the Acute Care Setting. P T. 2017;42(3):180-188.