Marijuana is an increasingly popular and accepted drug in our society, however, its continued use can have negative effects on relationships. From communication problems and difficulties in decision making, to changes in libido and sexual activity, marijuana use can put a couple’s relationship in check.
When one of the partners has dependence or addiction problems related to marijuana, this can further aggravate the situation. In this PsychologyFor article we will explore How do joints affect the relationship?
How to know if your partner smokes joints
Marijuana use can have negative effects on a person’s physical and mental health, so it’s normal to be worried if you suspect your partner uses marijuana. There are a series of signs that can help you know if your partner smokes joints:
- smells : Marijuana consumption usually leaves a strong and very characteristic odor. This odor can linger on the marijuana user’s clothing, breath, skin, or hair. It is also noticeable if smoking has occurred in a room or objects necessary for smoking are stored. If your partner uses marijuana, they can try to hide the smell by using perfume or cologne, chewing gum to camouflage their breath, or using incense or air fresheners in the room where they smoke.
- red eyes : A common sign of marijuana use is red eyes. So, if you notice this redness in your partner’s eyes, it may indicate that he smokes joints. However, you cannot rely solely on this sign in isolation as proof of marijuana use. Red eyes can also have other causes, such as allergies, illness, lack of sleep, recent crying, irritation, or excessive sun exposure.
- Articles related to marijuana use : If your partner owns items related to marijuana use, it is a sign that he or she may be smoking joints. Marijuana can be consumed in different ways, so people who frequently use it have rolling papers, small bags, lighters, grinders and marijuana choppers, bongs, pipes and other accessories.
- Changes in behavior : Marijuana use can affect a person’s behavior. It causes changes in your mood and the way you relate to others. If your partner has changed their behavior in significant, strange, or even erratic ways, it may be a sign that they are using marijuana.
- Uncontrollable and/or inappropriate laughter : When a person is under the influence of marijuana, they may laugh uncontrollably, even at inappropriate times. You may also make jokes spontaneously or off-the-cuff, and find seemingly neutral things funny. This is because marijuana can cause euphoria and uninhibited behavior.
- Disorder in eating habits : Marijuana use can affect a person’s appetite, causing an increase or decrease in it. So, to know if your partner smokes joint, pay attention to their eating habits. Smoking marijuana often stimulates the appetite, so binge eating after smoking is common. A person who has been smoking joint may have “cravings” and snack more than usual, especially fast and unhealthy foods.
- Disturbed sleep pattern : Marijuana use can affect a person’s sleeping pattern, causing insomnia or drowsiness. The most common thing is that people who consume sleep excessively and wake up later than usual. Poor sleeping habits are a common sign of marijuana use.
- Lack of energy and loss of motivation : It is common for people who smoke joints to have no energy and lose motivation easily. If he or she has lost interest in activities that once mattered to him or her and seems apathetic, this may be a sign that your partner smokes pot.
- Dizziness and incoordination : If your partner has recently used marijuana, he or she may become dizzy or appear uncoordinated. If you stumble a lot, act unusually clumsy, it may be because you smoked joint.
- Slow reaction time : Marijuana affects a user’s perception of time and can make their reaction time much slower than when sober. For example, if you are talking to your partner, you may have to repeat a phrase several times or take a while to respond to what you ask. Your ability to stay focused on the conversation may decrease and you may drift off to other unrelated topics.
- Memory and concentration problems : Marijuana use impairs memory function. If your partner smokes joint, he or she may have trouble remembering something that just happened or have trouble keeping the conversation going.
- Changes in academic or work performance : One of the consequences of excessive marijuana consumption is that it affects memory, attention, and academic or work performance. If you are experiencing problems at work or your academic performance has decreased, it is possible that your partner smokes joints.
- Paranoia : While marijuana often creates a relaxing or euphoric effect, it can also cause agitation, anxiety, or delusional thoughts. Pay attention to your partner’s behaviors that include thoughts of suspicion, suspicion, and persecution. For example: “everyone is watching me.” In this article you will see what the effects of drugs are on the nervous system.
- Economic and legal problems : People who use marijuana have to pay for this drug, so they have a constant need for money. Additionally, marijuana use has legal implications in some countries and can have legal consequences for the person, especially when transporting the illegal substance from one location to another. If your partner spends most of his money smoking joints, it may be a warning of problematic marijuana use.
It is important to keep in mind that marijuana affects people in different ways, so the signs and symptoms of its use may vary from one individual to another. Furthermore, an isolated sign is not unequivocal proof of consumption, but is usually the collection of many signs. If you are concerned that your partner may be smoking joint, and you have observed various signs and symptoms associated with consumption, try to communicate your concern to him so he can explain himself and you can find a solution together.
Can marijuana use affect your relationship?
Although each relationship is different, depending on the people and the context, in general, we can affirm that marijuana use affects the relationship. Marijuana use can often cause communication problems , difficulties in decision making important individually and in the relationship, and changes in libido and sexual activity, since joints affect erections.
In addition, the fact that one member of the couple smokes joints can also cause economic problems when the person who consumes spends too much money on it. Additionally, if you develop a dependency or addiction problems with marijuana, which is very likely, the problems can worsen. This context can generate a great tension and conflict in the relationship as a consequence of the addiction, the effects of the substance and the impact on daily life.
Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that excessive use of any substance, including marijuana, can have negative effects on physical and mental health, as well as interpersonal relationships. In this article we analyze whether a drug addict can change for love.
Effects of marijuana on relationships
If you want to know how joints affect your relationship, you should keep in mind that their effects They can vary depending on the person, the relationship , the frequency of consumption and the context in which it occurs. However, in general, the scientific literature highlights some significant effects that marijuana use can have on relationships. We explain them below.
1. Communication problems
One of the main couple problems due to drugs is the lack of communication. Excessive marijuana use can affect a person’s ability to communicate clearly and effective with your partner, which can affect the dynamics of the relationship.
How do joints affect personality? Some people may experience changes in their emotional and cognitive state due to marijuana use, which may affect their ability to communicate effectively with their partner. Additionally, smoking joints can also increase anxiety levels and paranoia, which can make open and honest communication difficult. In this article you will see how to calm drug anxiety.
Additionally, marijuana use can cause a lack of attention to daily tasks and responsibilities, which can lead to conflicts between couples. If one partner suspects that the other is secretly smoking joints, this can also lead to trust issues
2. Changes in libido and sexual activity
Marijuana can affect a person’s libido and ability to have sex. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine(1) showed that long-term use of marijuana can cause sexual dysfunction in men and women
Researchers found that men who smoked marijuana regularly had a lower frequency of morning erections and greater difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. Furthermore, they also observed a decrease in frequency and quality of sexual relations among marijuana users.
Thus, prolonged marijuana use can cause sexual dysfunction in men and women, decreased libido and difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection or orgasm, which can harm satisfaction with intimacy with a partner and with the relationship. in general.
3. Economic problems
How do joints affect the relationship? Another area in which it can affect is the economic one. On the one hand, smoking joint can contribute to decreased motivation and work performance, which affects a person’s ability to keep a job and earn money.
On the other hand, marijuana use is usually expensive , since it is normally obtained illegally, since its consumption is not authorized in most countries. Therefore, its consumption may generate additional expenses. This can entail a great financial expense for the person who smokes, which will have repercussions when these economic problems and tensions are transferred to the relationship.
4. Deterioration in intimacy and trust
Marijuana addiction can cause trust problems and deteriorate the relationship, since the addict may lie or hide his or her use from his or her partner. Additionally, dependency can cause changes in personality and the behavior of the addict, which impacts the feeling of security and intimacy necessary for the relationship to thrive.
These behaviors can make your partner feel distrustful and in conflict. permanent state of suspicion , which will generate an unhealthy climate of tension and suspicion in the relationship. In these cases, we recommend reading this article on how to regain trust in your partner.
5. Health problems
THC, the psychoactive compound present in marijuana, can cause a number of health problems, both physical and mental. These problems vary depending on the type of marijuana, as well as the method of cultivation, processing, and frequency of consumption. So that, health impact may vary depending on these factors.
Regarding physical health, prolonged use may increase the risk of lung diseases s, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It may also increase the risk of heart problems, as THC can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, marijuana use can cause fertility problems Both men and women.
In terms of mental health, smoking joints can cause disturbances in thinking, memory and concentration, as well as disturbances in judgment and coordination In addition, it is related to anxiety, depression and psychotic disorders, such as hallucinations and delusions. Finally, marijuana use is also linked to long-term cognitive decline.
All of these health consequences caused by marijuana consumption not only have a significant impact on the life of the person who consumes, but also can erode and damage your relationship In conclusion, it is important to highlight that we must be aware of its harmful effects, and how joints affect the relationship, to try to prevent the most serious consequences.
If you suspect that your partner smokes joint, it is important that you communicate this and speak clearly and honestly so that you can work together and find ways to address any problems that may arise.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to How joints affect the relationship we recommend that you enter our Couples Therapy category.
- Sun, A.J., & Eisenberg, M.L. (2017). Association between marijuana use and sexual frequency in the United States: a population-based study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(11), 1342-1347.
Bibliography
- Fleming, CB, White, HR, & Catalano, RF (2010). Romantic relationships and substance use in early adulthood: An examination of the influences of relationship type, partner substance use, and relationship quality. Journal of health and social behavior, 51(2), 153-167.
- McGlothlin, W.H., & West, L.J. (1968). The marijuana problem: an overview. American Journal of Psychiatry, 125(3), 370-378.
- Testa, M., Wang, W., Derrick, J.L., & Leonard, K.E. (2018). Marijuana use by intimate partners: Does discrepant use impair relationship functioning?. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32(4), 475.
- Volkow, N.D., Baler, R.D., Compton, W.M., & Weiss, SR (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23), 2219-2227.