Question

Cannabis use (fill in the blank).
can harm mental health in the long term.
affects the body and brain only in the long term.
has been shown to help depression and anxiety.
does not have any health benefits at all, both short- and long-term.
which one

Answer 1

Best choice: "can harm mental health in the long term."

Why:
- Heavy or frequent cannabis use, especially starting in adolescence, is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders and with longer‑term problems in cognition and motivation for some users. Genetic vulnerability and dose/frequency matter, so harm is not inevitable but is a real risk.
- Cannabis also produces clear short‑term effects on the brain and body (impaired memory, slowed reaction time, anxiety or panic, increased heart rate), so the statement "affects the body and brain only in the long term" is false.
- Evidence that cannabis "has been shown to help depression and anxiety" is mixed and inconclusive; some people report short‑term symptom relief but clinical trials do not support it as a proven treatment for major depression or generalized anxiety, and in some cases use can worsen these conditions.
- The statement "does not have any health benefits at all" is false: certain cannabinoids are used medically (for example to treat chemotherapy‑related nausea, some chronic pain, MS spasticity, and specific seizure disorders), so there are recognized medical benefits in particular contexts.

If you’re worried about use or mental health effects, talk with a healthcare professional — avoid frequent use, especially if under 25 or if you have a personal/family history of psychosis.