Is Weed Bad for You

As most of us are aware, weed is a nickname for what we know as marijuana. It is also known as hemp, cannabis, joint, and pot. It cannot be denied that most weed users are with the belief that smoking weed is not associated with any health risks. However, if people go by scientific evidence and research, then they might realize the adverse effects of this recreational drug on their health. In the United States, this plant is regarded as a federally prohibited drug. People use it for smoking and when they do, they get immediate intoxication; a feeling of euphoria. The weed can not only be smoked, but eaten as well. Some people add it to food, or enjoy brewing it as a tea. Although occasional use of weed may not be seriously harmful, the physical and psychological side effects of the product cannot be ignored when its use becomes a long-term affair.

Effects of Weed on Health

Psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) are the two active ingredients for which weed is mostly studied for. They are the plant's cannabinoid compounds. And it is the THC, and other substances in the product that are responsible to trigger the side effects.

Effects of Weed on Brain

Apart from causing a euphoric feeling in the user, smoking weed may affect the brain in its memory, thought, concentration, sense of time and depth, and coordinated movement. So, symptoms that arise thereafter may include delusions, impaired memory, disorientation and hallucinations. Anxiety and depression for no real reason, irrational thinking, and paranoia could also occur. These side effects, however, tend to fade usually after a few hours. But the drug could stay in the system for as long as 24 hours.

Effects of Weed on Heart

It has been noticed that within a few minutes of smoking this drug, the user experiences heart palpitations, accompanied by decrease in blood pressure. The user may also realize that he/she is breathing faster than normal.

Effects of Weed on Lungs

According to Cancer American Society, although, most researchers are with the fact that usage of this drug could cause carcinogenic activity in the body, its connection with cancer of lungs, or mouth or tongue could not be established due to lack of substantial medical evidence. However, many experts still hold on to their belief that heavy joint users are more vulnerable to contract lung cancer. But again, it cannot be denied that conducting tests on marijuana users is difficult, as it is most unlikely that people may open up about their connection with the illicit drug. And given this, doctors strongly suggest that a mere lack of evidence to prove the link between weed and cancer, must not be misinterpreted into thinking that the drug is completely safe to use.

Other Side Effects

Also, regular users of pot risk themselves to develop medical conditions such as decrease libido, poor sperm quality, male hypogonadism (low testosterone levels), and infertility. The same may also have a suppressing effect on the immune system, and may make fetus prone to develop leukemia if the mother uses it. Too add to these, other side effects of using weed may include bloodshot eyes, slowed digestion, muscle relaxation, dry mouth, and slowed reaction time. Chronic use may also cause laryngitis, bronchitis, and severe disability in learning and retaining new information.

To conclude, although on rare occasions, it has been reported that long-term use of joint could affect the blood circulation in limbs in such a way that surgical removal of the affected part(s) could be the only treatment option left. People experiencing heart attack within an hour of smoking pot have also been reported on rare instances.