A Texas doctor who researches the effects of marijuana is sounding the alarm about culture's mainstreaming of the drug, warning its effects are anything but benign. Dr. Raymond Wiggins, an oral surgeon and author of the book "Weeding Out the Lies About Marijuana," told CBN Digital weed is a drug that can have profound psychological and physical effects on the body.
"If you want to talk about psychosis, for those who start using marijuana at a young age and who use it on a regular basis, there's a two and a half times risk of psychosis," Wiggins said. "One study ... actually showed a six times risk for those who used it regularly." He said research also shows young people who use the drug before age 18 are also at increased risk of psychosis, though the dangers don't stop there.
"If you're talking about depression and suicide, depression is greatly increased if you start smoking ... it as a teenager," Wiggins said. "And then if you look at the statistics for depression, up until the age of 30, those who smoked it as a teenager are 37% more likely to be depressed in their young adult years, and even later on in life."
The doctor also mentioned suicide as yet another factor worthy of exploring, stating research shows young people who use the drug are "50% more likely to think about suicide" and are "three and a half to seven times more likely to attempt suicide." Bipolar disorder is yet another issue Wiggins raised, with the doctor highlighting a recent study he said found a causal relationship between bipolar disorder and marijuana.
As for Wiggins own motivation for exploring marijuana use and addiction, the doctor pointed to experiences in his own family as well as patterns he's seen among his patients for igniting his passion to further explore the impact weed has on the masses. "I have three close relatives who were all heavy marijuana users and they're all dead today," he said. "I believe that they would be alive if it wasn't for marijuana."