Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana
It is one of the most commonly abused drugs. It can be in the form of dry, green or brown colored flowers leaves in shreds, seeds, stems of Cannabis Sativa, a hemp plant. It can be smoked in a water pipe known as ‘Bong’, in cigars known as ‘Blunts’. Some users empty the cigarettes and refill them with loose marijuana known as ‘Joint’. Sometimes it is mixed in food or brewed as tea. Numerous types of hemp plants are grown around the globe like northern lights, blue berry, white widow, Shiva Shanti. They have myriad slang terms as herb, grass, ganja, hash, etc. All forms of Cannabis contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol which is also known as THC. Although it constitutes of more than 400 chemicals, THC accounts for major psychoactive, mind suppressing effects.

Initial Effects
The strength of the drug is measured by the percentage of THC it contains. While ordinary dose of marijuana contains 3% of THC, it varies greatly depending upon the consumer. The initial effects created by inhaling its smoke include rapid heartbeat, loss of balance and coordination, and dry mouth. Although, these initial effects diminish after some time (approximately two hours), THC stays back in the body for quite duration. Concentration and potency are the two factors that decide the Terminal Half Life of THC which varies from 20 hours to 10 days. Longer the terminal Half Life, longer it will show the presence in the body.

Medicinal Use
Although Marijuana is famous for its adverse effects, medicinal uses of it have often became bone of contention in the past. Marijuana is found to be good suppressant of nausea. It stimulates the appetite. The phenomenon is often known as ‘munchies’. Molecules of endocannabinoids get bind with receptors of hypothalamus in brain which maintains the food intake of body and by stimulating these receptors, it activates hunger. It also releases eye pressure; decrease the trauma of muscle spasms. At present, nine states of America have legalized its use due to its medicinal properties.

Effects on Brain
Once inhaled, THC rapidly passes from the lungs to bloodstream through which it gets dispersed throughout the body. When it reaches brain, it gets attached to receptors named cannaboid on nerve endings and stimulates the activity of these cells. Areas of brain like hypothalamus, cerebellum that controls the activities like memory, coordinated body movements, pleasure, concentration, thoughts. The initial short term effects that found after inhaling Marijuana are distorted perception, loss of memory, lack of reasoning. Besides short term effects, there are long terms effects as with any prolong drug abuse. If the subject is chronically exposed to THC, then its withdrawal stimulates stress response system. It disrupts the function of dopamine present in the nerve cells which is responsible for regulation of motivation.

Effects on Lungs
Rare abusers experience burning sensation in mouth combined with nasal congestion and cough. Someone who is a regular abuser can have many respiratory problems. The effects are characterized by increased cough, frequent acute chest pain, lung infections. Inhaling Marijuana increases the risk of carcinogenic effects. TCH produces 60% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than those of tobacco. It also activates and initiates enzyme changes which lead to production of malignant cells that are highly responsible for cancer. In simple words, it is much more harmful with Marijuana than with tobacco.

Effects on Heart
As intake of Marijuana decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, there is an adverse effect on heart rate and blood pressure. Studies have shown that the abusers carry much greater risk of heart attack.

Other Effects
In human body, an immune system is present to fight against antibodies, diseases. Marijuana is known to impair this system thus increases the risk to other infections and diseases. In social behavior, problems like anxiety, depression are attached with chronic smoking of this drug. Generally, the abuser loses his ability to grasp, learn the things. The chronic users have serious shifting in their concentration, ability to organize.

If marijuana is inhaled regularly during pregnancy, then babies born have altered neurological responses. Research has revealed that such children exhibit lapses in memory, problem solving skill characterized with less attention. There are also adverse effects on reproductive systems of male and female. In males it carries risk of lessening the sperm count and even degenerate them. Female counter parts can experience in suppression of ovulation process, disruption of menstruation cycles and even damage to egg. It can cause abnormalities like fatal alcohol symptoms.

Long term abuser can lead to addiction. People trying to quit this habit usually experience sleeplessness, irritability, increased aggression and feelings. The adverse effects are so many and easily outnumber its few medicinal uses!