Effects of Marijuana Use on Human Body

Marijuana generally refers to the leaves andattention spans.
flowering buds of the Cannabis plant. It is aMemory loss
psychoactive drug and contains over 400Marijuana users suffer from short term memory
chemicals. Of them, THClosses. As Marijuana affects memory receptors in
(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main activethe brain, it makes difficult for an individual to
chemical ingredient that produces short-termprocess and retain information.
harmful effects such as depression, anxiety,Impact on body:
distorted perceptions, memory impairment, andApart from adversely affecting the brain,
difficulty in thinking. Manijuana is mostly abused asMarijuana has many negative effects on the body.
it gives a feeling of high or euphoria immediatelyIn addition to the harmful THC, it contains
and can last for 1-3 hours.carcinogens which can cause considerable damage
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug into the respiratory and other organs. Some of the
America. According to National Survey on Drugcommon ailments caused by the Marijuana use
Use and Health (NSDUH) 2008, about 15.2 millionare cough, chest colds, emphysema, blockage of
people were using Marijuana in US. Initiation or firstthe air passages, bronchitis, and bronchial asthma.
time use of Marijuana is also high in US. The sameChest colds
report also states that around 2.2 million personsPeople who smoke marijuana often develop
aged 12 or older used marijuana for the first timeproblems like coughing, phlegm production, and
in 2008. This shows that there are about 6,000wheezing. Marijuana users tend to have more
Marijuana initiates per day.chest colds than others. They are also more
The use of marijuana has some adverse effects,vulnerable to lung infections like pneumonia.
especially on the brain and the body. WhenBronchitis
someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passesStudies have shown that marijuana contains
from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carriescarcinogens that can act as irritants to the lungs.
the harmful chemical to the brain and to otherIt has also been reported that Marijuana contains
organs throughout the body.50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons
Impact on brain:than normal tobacco. Generally, Marijuana users
When someone smokes or consumes marijuana,inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer,
the bloodstream carries the active THCwhich further increases the lungs' exposure to
compound to the brain. THC in the brain combinesharmful carcinogenic smoke.
with the cannabinoid receptors, which are mostlyEmphysema
found in those regions of the brain, which controlEmphysema is a lung disease that shortens the
memory, thinking ability, and concentration. Bybreath of an individual. Marijuana smoke contains
altering the activities of these neurons, marijuanamany toxins that can destroy the lung tissues
impairs a person's memory, concentration, andnecessary to support the physical shape and
thinking ability.function of the lungs.
Reduces learning abilityBronchial asthma
Some studies have shown that marijuanaTHC, the main active chemical in Marijuana is a
adversely impacts a person's ability to learn. Thisfat-soluble substance and gets collected in fatty
can be more problematic for teenagers duringtissues in the lungs and other organs. Persistent
their adolescence when their brains are stillusage of Marijuana can damage lungs and airways
developing.that may result in bronchial asthma.
Reduces focusApart from effects on brain and body, it has
As the chemical in Marijuana combines with themany negative effects on social functioning in the
neurons in the brain which control the senses likecontext of family, school, and work. Therefore, it
concentration, Marijuana intoxication causesis very important to be aware and understand
distorted perceptions, difficulty in thinking andthe effects of Marijuana use on human body to
problem solving, less concentration, and shortavoid and deter the harmful drug.