Marijuana Health Effects

Marijuana use has many negative health effects on the body. Some of the short term effects are: distorted perception, problems with memory and learning, loss of coordination, trouble with thinking and problem-solving, an increased heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and it can also produce anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic. Use of the drug can influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement because of how it affects the brain. When people use a lot of marijuana at once they can experience hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory, and disorientation. Because marijuana lowers blood pressure the risk of heart attack is four times higher within the first hour after smoking it. Use of the drug can also cause: burning and stinging of the mouth and throat and heavy coughing. Marijuana smokers experience many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers do. Problems that they can experience are: daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illnesses, increased risk of lung infections, and obstructed airways. The THC in marijuana can cause a weakened immune system and that can lead to a variety of infections, illnesses, and tumors. Marijuana is not considered to be an addictive drug, but about 9% of marijuana users are addicted. The percentage goes up when younger users are involved. People who use marijuana have been known to achieve much less productivity in things such as school, work, and life satisfaction. There are not currently any medications that can aid with quitting marijuana however, there are treatment/rehabilitation centers and therapies available for those who would like to end the addiction.

Marijuana is the shredded leaves, stems and flower buds of the Cannabis sativa plant. It is most commonly smoked. However, it can also eaten, mixed with food or brewed as a tea. It is the most commonly used illegal drug in America. According to recent studies about 30% of today's teenagers are smoking marijuana. The active ingredient in marijuana is THC which gives it its narcotic and psychoactive effects.