ELI5 is marijuana actually bad for you?

Not against weed by the way, Dude weed lmao

They say that it causes brain damage, this that and the next. Does it really just boil down to 'lungs only supposed to breathe air'

This oughta be good

It depends on what you mean by bad, and who you are.

Physically, it's bad for you if you smoke or vape it, because really only air should go in your lungs. Burning plant material is full of shit that's not air. Too much cannabis use (maybe, more research needed) can cause something called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, which causes violent vomiting after using cannabis. It seems to affect mainly people who use heavily for extended periods of time.

Psychologically, whether it's bad for you or not depends a lot on who you are. If you're young, under about 20 or 25, using weed might impair your brain development, though more research is needed…

Generally, it's pretty safe (as far as mind altering drugs go), however. Millions of people use it without issue. Don't smoke if you're young or if you think you might have mental issues. Go slow if you decide to do it. If you have a trusted friend with experience, let them help guide you so you have a good time…

You might not be able to stop without throwing up, your brain may not develop, but it's generally safe…

There is also very strong links in research between cannabis use and depression. It can trigger it, it can make it more severe in some people

I've got depression and used to smoke frequently, now on rare occasions. I can't say for sure personally if it made it worse, better or no effect. But I also went to my doctor and said, this is the strain, this is the potency. What's a limit I should put on myself. 3 joints a week, on separate nights. Always a good thing to check in with the doc

Well that excludes all redditors then

If you don't abuse it and use safer introduction methods (e. g. edibles or vaporizer), then it's not really bad. But the key point is not to abuse it, and for some people it may become incredibly difficult. I recently quit after 4-5 bongs every single day, and I can tell it affected my mental state. Half a year later I'm pretty ok in that regard, but first few weeks were tough.

It's interesting that it's never bad if you DONT abuse it, but the Reddit threads are full of former abusers

Too much of anything is probably bad for you. Knowing how to utilize the tool correctly to prevent the negative part is the key. If you can let the benefits of weed help improve your life without turning it into a bad habit, that's the way. A motivating dose of edibles helps me eat and sleep way too good. I swear a bong rip in the morning makes for the perfect morning poop LOL