Marijuana

 

* It changes how the brain works.

* It affects the Central Nervous System

* It is a depressant

* Lasts 2-4 hours, feelings can range from silly, calm, paranoid, anxious.

          Perception is affected longer than 4 hours.

 

 Short-Term Effects

Marijuana affects people in different ways depending on:

 

User’s previous experience

 

How strong the marijuana is (how much THC it has)

 

How the marijuana is taken

 

What the user expects to happen

 

Where the drug is used

 

Whether the user is drinking alcohol or using other drugs

 

Possible side-effects are:

-altered perception of time, distance, space, sights, sounds and touch

 

-impaired judgment and decision making

 

-loss of coordination and slowed reaction time 

 

-disorientation

 

-red eye

 

- dry mouth and throat

 

- increased appetite (“the munchies”) 

 

-sleepiness 

 

-racing heart rate 

 

-may suffer feelings of anxiety and have paranoid thoughts or temporary

 

-psychosis

 

-problems with memory and learning

 

- trouble thinking and problem solving

 

The effects are greater when mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

Long-Term Effects

 

     Regular use of marijuana can:

Increase risk of cancer

The amount of tar, carbon monoxide, and cancer causing chemicals inhaled in marijuana smoke are three to five times greater than that inhaled from the same amount of tobacco smoke.

 

Damage to lungs and airways

Just like cigarette smokers, people who smoke marijuana often develop breathing problems – coughing, wheezing.

 

They tend to have more chest colds as non-users and are at greater risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia.

 

Studies have shown that THC can damage the immune system – the cells and tissues in the body that help protect against disease.

 

When the immune cells are weakened, you are more likely to get sick.

 

Difficulty remembering things and concentrating

 

Lack of motivation . You could lose interest in school, work and activities that you enjoy.

 

Risk of mental health problems – depression, anxiety, schizophrenia

 

Risk of addiction

     Today, more teens enter treatment for marijuana dependency than for all

     other illicit drugs combined.

 

Alcohol-Drug Education Service