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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