How is Marijuana Harmful?

the harm of marijuana, myth or fact?

Answers:
Lets see.

Weed cost me the following:

Two years of my life
My parents trust and respect (since regained)
My first wife
Custody of my little girl



Now, you freaking tell me, harmful or no?

its not. its good for the soul and impruves happieness. ^_^
Marijuana Side Effects

Effects of Marijuana on the Brain

Researchers have found that THC changes the way in which sensory information gets into and is processed by the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a component of the brain's limbic system that is crucial for learning, memory, and the integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivations. Investigations have shown that neurons in the information processing system of the hippocampus and the activity of the nerve fibers in this region are suppressed by THC. In addition, researchers have discovered that learned behaviors, which depend on the hippocampus, also deteriorate via this mechanism.

Recent research findings also indicate that long-term use of marijuana produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse.

Effects on the Lungs

Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke.

Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers. This may be due to the marijuana users' inhaling more deeply and holding the smoke in the lungs and because marijuana smoke is unfiltered.

Effects on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Recent findings indicate that smoking marijuana while shooting up cocaine has the potential to cause severe increases in heart rate and blood pressure. In one study, experienced marijuana and cocaine users were given marijuana alone, cocaine alone, and then a combination of both. Each drug alone produced cardiovascular effects; when they were combined, the effects were greater and lasted longer. The heart rate of the subjects in the study increased 29 beats per minute with marijuana alone and 32 beats per minute with cocaine alone. When the drugs were given together, the heart rate increased by 49 beats per minute, and the increased rate persisted for a longer time. The drugs were given with the subjects sitting quietly. In normal circumstances, an individual may smoke marijuana and inject cocaine and then do something physically stressful that may significantly increase the risk of overloading the cardiovascular system.

Effects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior

A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even after discontinuing its use for at least 24 hours. Researchers compared 65 "heavy users," who had smoked marijuana a median of 29 of the past 30 days, and 64 "light users," who had smoked a median of 1 of the past 30 days. After a closely monitored 19- to 24-hour period of abstinence from marijuana and other illicit drugs and alcohol, the undergraduates were given several standard tests measuring aspects of attention, memory, and learning. Compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more errors and had more difficulty sustaining attention, shifting attention to meet the demands of changes in the environment, and in registering, processing, and using information. These findings suggest that the greater impairment among heavy users is likely due to an alteration of brain activity produced by marijuana.

Longitudinal research on marijuana use among young people below college age indicates those who used marijuana have lower achievement than the non-users, more acceptance of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater rebelliousness, poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends.

Research also shows more anger and more regressive behavior (thumb sucking, temper tantrums) in toddlers whose parents use marijuana than among the toddlers of non-using parents.

Effects on Pregnancy

Any drug of abuse can affect a mother's health during pregnancy, making it a time when expectant mothers should take special care of themselves. Drugs of abuse may interfere with proper nutrition and rest, which can affect good functioning of the immune system. Some studies have found that babies born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were smaller than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. In general, smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems.

A nursing mother who uses marijuana passes some of the THC to the baby in her breast milk. Research indicates that the use of marijuana by a mother during the first month of breast-feeding can impair the infant's motor development (control of muscle movement).

Addictive Potential

A drug is addicting if it causes compulsive, often uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. Marijuana meets this criterion. More than 120,000 people enter drug treatment per year for their primary marijuana addiction. In addition, animal studies suggest marijuana causes physical dependence, and some people report withdrawal symptoms.
its a fact.
it kills your brain cells, makes you stupid.
lung damage - brain cell damage - leads to lack of motivation and "loafiness".
It may trigger schizophrenia.
Total myth. If it was legal, I'd be all over it, but for now I gotta worry about those random drug tests at work. Drat!
Phisically it kills the scillia in your nostrils which (when not killed) help to prevent sickness, and of course there is always lung cancer
Smoking it damages your lungs.

Consumed in moderation (once in a while), it's not harmful, but when you do it a lot, it's a real "un-motivator" and keeps you from doing things.

It also makes some users "feel paranoid" -- which isn't very pleasant.
1. it makes you stupid,, at least temporarily
2. it has no filter so,, the heat and smoke damage your lungs worse than cigarettes.
3. it is illegal so, you end up in jail.

All in all there is much more myth than fact on the subject I personally think it is better for you than alcohol. When was the last time someone high on weed tried to pick a fight with you at a bar for no apparent reason?
anything you smoke will harm your throat, your pipes and your lungs. If you get stone you may find that you're not as focuses on things going on specially if you are driving or have use dangerous tools or heavy equipment. Other than that, refer has not been proven harmful by anyone without an agenda.
it's no more harmful than alcohol. It has been socially stigmatized by racists early in the 20th century becase mexicans smoked it alot.

In many ways it is a lot safer than alcohol.

#1. Nobody ever got high off weed and beat their wife and kids.

#2. You can get high off of a joint and 30 minutes later be ready to drive because the high doesn't last as long.

#3. It is not as addictive as alcohol can be.

#4. You have a tendency to be happy and then fall asleep. Instead of getting drunk and wanting to go for drives. etc.

#5. MArijuana actually has verfied proven medicinal use (though our government denies it.)

#6 The marijuana plant can be used to make t-shirts, rope, etc. (called HEMP fabric.)

etc. etc. etc.

I don't smoke it, but the fact is, there's nothing wrong with it except that the government has snowed people into believing that it's more dangerous than caffeine or alcohol, when it is clearly not.

I do know that it'd be a lot more effective as a pain killer for my Spinal Arthritis than anything else on the market right now.

I'm not into the whole "weed" lifestyle. But as I sit here bedridden, popping vicodin like it's candy because of my back, I'd much rather have a more effective painkiller.

Marijuana destroys no more braincells than alcohol does, btw. Though while Alcohol affects the liver/kidneys, etc, and can lead to many diseases in heavy usage. Marijuana affects the lungs/throat, etc, and can also lead to many diseases with heavy use. Used responsibly, it is no more dangerous than Booze. And often times it is less dangerous than sugar (Sugar is an unregulated Drug in this country.)

Think about this: Ritalin=Speed. Ritalin=Prescribed to more kids nowadays than any other drug, and most of them have NEVER been tested for ADHD.
Marijuana is good for pain relief but if you abuse it. Makes you buzz out. Really depends on the user
I don't think it's harmful, but it's the gateway drug!
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