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MARIJUANA Marijuana comes from a plant, but that does not mean that “going green” is what is best for you and is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The rates of Americans smoking pot have remained consistent since the 90s, but the rates of addiction have risen significantly over the same period of time. The active ingredient in marijuana is called THC (short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes after smoking pot. After smoking, users will experience euphoria or a “high” which is usually the desired effect. Physiological Effects of Marijuana: Although marijuana is commonly thought to be a depressant because of its soporiphic (sleep inducing) characteristics, anti-inflammatory properties, and relaxant of the muscles. Marijuana is classified as a Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant, because the THC affects the CNS by stimulating the appetite center, the pleasure center, and the body’s natural defense to reduce *free radicals. Additional physiological effects include: Rapid heart rate Increased blood pressure Increased rate of breathing Red eyes Dry mouth Increased appetite Slowed reaction time *Free radicals are produced by the body’s defense system when injury occurs to the brain. Brain injury during stroke is primarily due to free radicals. Short-Term Psychological Effects: Distorted sense of time Paranoia Magical or “random” thinking Short-term memory loss Anxiety and depression The psychological effects of marijuana ease over time, typically a few hours, but for regular pot smokers effects may wear off sooner. The risks of marijuana are dramatically increased with heavy and regular use. The psychological effects of marijuana ease over time, typically a few hours, but for regular pot smokers effects may wear off sooner. The risks of marijuana are dramatically increased with heavy and regular use. Specific risks for regular male pot smokers include: A lowered sperm count Lower testosterone levels Decreased libido and fertility Heavy pot use has also been linked to an increased risk for lung cancer, as well as a “gateway” to the use of heavier drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. How long does marijuana stay in your system? Marijuana is stored within an individual’s fat cells, and slowly breaks down during metabolism to then clear itself from the body. The amount of time THC breaks down varies considerably from person to person. De-pending on: How much pot is used The method and frequency of use For light users (those who smoke pot “once in a while”): About a week For heavy users (“stoners”): About a month The user’s rate of metabolism The concentration of THC in the marijuana plant Most researchers agree that urine tests can detect the presence of mari-juana within the body for up to 13 days after smoking. Source: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects; Go Ask Alice. Written by Allison Merseth & Alex Ireland Date: March 30, 2011