Effects of Marijuana
The effects of the THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana acts on "cannabinoid"
receptors which are found on neurons in many places in the brain. These brain
areas are involved in memory (the hippocampus), concentration (cerebral cortex),
perception (sensory portions of the cerebral cortex) and movement (the cerebellum,
substantia nigra, globus pallidus). When THC activates cannabinoid receptors,
it effects the normal functioning of these brain areas.
Scientists have known for a long time that THC interacted with
cannabinoid receptors in the brain, but did not know why the brain would have
such receptors. They thought that the brain must make some kind of substance
that naturally acted on these receptors. In 1992, they found the answer...anandamide.
Anandamide is the brain's own THC (just like "endorphin" is the brain's
own morphine). Still, scientists are not sure what the function of anandamide
is in the normal brain. The effects of marijuana start as soon as 1-10 minutes
after it is taken and can last for 3-4 hours. There is some evidence that the
effects of marijuana may last even longer. Experiments have shown that THC can
affect two neurotransmitters: norepinephrine and dopamine. Serotonin and GABA
levels may also be altered.
It is controversial whether marijuana causes long-term mental
abnormalities. Only future research will give us the answers. It is interesting
to note that there are NO documented cases of a fatal overdose produced by marijuana.
However, because there is a high level of tar and other chemicals in marijuana,
smoking it is similar to smoking cigarettes. The lungs get a big dose of chemicals
that increase the chances of lung problems and cancer later in life.
The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain
Scientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the
brain to produce its many effects. When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly
passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to organs
throughout the body, including the brain.
In the brain, THC connects to specific sites called cannabinoid
receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells. Some brain
areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. Many cannabinoid
receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory,
thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.
The short-term effects of marijuana use can include problems with
memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem
solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate. Research findings for
long-term marijuana use indicate some changes in the brain similar to those
seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse. For example, cannabinoid
(THC or synthetic forms of THC) withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads
to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system and changes in
the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine. Dopamine neurons are involved
in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected
by all drugs of abuse.
The Effects of Marijuana on the Heart
One study has indicated that a user’s risk of heart attack
more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana. The researchers
suggest that such an effect might occur from marijuana’s effects on blood
pressure and heart rate and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
The Effects of Marijuana on the Lungs
A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana
frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more
days of work than nonsmokers. Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana
smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses.
Even infrequent use can cause burning and stinging of the mouth
and throat, often accompanied by a heavy cough. Someone who smokes marijuana
regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers
do, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness,
a heightened risk of lung infections, and a greater tendency to obstructed airways.
Cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs may also be promoted
by marijuana smoke. A study comparing 173 cancer patients and 176 healthy individuals
produced strong evidence that smoking marijuana increases the likelihood of
developing cancer of the head or neck, and the more marijuana smoked the greater
the increase. A statistical analysis of the data suggested that marijuana smoking
doubled or tripled the risk of these cancers.
Marijuana use has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs
and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains irritants and carcinogens.
In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons
than does tobacco smoke. It also produces high levels of an enzyme that converts
certain hydrocarbons into their carcinogenic form—levels that may accelerate
the changes that ultimately produce malignant cells. Marijuana users usually
inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which
increases the lungs’ exposure to carcinogenic smoke. These facts suggest
that, puff for puff, smoking marijuana may increase the risk of cancer more
than smoking tobacco.
Other Health Effects of Marijuana
Some of marijuana's adverse health effects may occur because THC
impairs the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases and
cancer. In laboratory experiments that exposed animal and human cells to THC
or other marijuana ingredients, the normal disease-preventing reactions of many
of the key types of immune cells were inhibited. In other studies, mice exposed
to THC or related substances were more likely than unexposed mice to develop
bacterial infections and tumors.
In Low to Medium Doses The Effects of Marijuana are:
- relaxation
- reduced coordination
- reduced blood pressure
- sleepiness
- disruption in attention
- an altered sense of time and space...a good reason not to drive or operate
machinery while under the influence.
In high doses, the Effects of Marijuana are:
- hallucinations
- delusions
- impaired memory
- disorientation
The effects of marijuana will vary from person to person depending
on:
- How much taken
- How strong (potent) the marijuana is
- How the marijuana is taken (joint, bong, food)
- Size, weight, health
- Mood
- Individual experience with marijuana
- If marijuana is taken with other drugs
- Whether alone or with other people, at home or at a party.
- Onset 0-10 minutes
- Coming Up 5-10 minutes
- Plateau 15-30 minutes
- Coming Down 45-60 minutes
- After Effects 30-60 minutes
Short-term effects of using marijuana include:
- Sleepiness
- Difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory
- Reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination,
such as driving a car
- Increased heart rate
- Potential cardiac dangers for those with preexisting heart disease
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dry mouth and throat
- Decreased social inhibitions
- Paranoia, hallucinations
- Impaired or reduced short-term memory
- Impaired or reduced comprehension
- Altered motivation and cognition, making the acquisition of new information
difficult
- Paranoia
- Psychological dependence
- Impairments in learning, memory, perception, and judgment - difficulty
speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem
solving, and forming concepts
- Intense anxiety or panic attacks
Long-term effects of using marijuana include:
Enhanced cancer risk
Decrease in testosterone levels and lower sperm counts for
men
Increase in testosterone levels for women and increased risk
of infertility
Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure
Psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get
the same effect
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