Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis

Cannabis, also known as Marijuana is one of thedisorders.
commonly abused illicit drugs in USA. It consists ofLong-term effects:
the dried leaves of the hemp plant. It is generallyCannabis causes many health hazards which
smoked or chewed for the euphoric effects.people suffer for lifetime. The long term affects
Now-a-days, many people are getting addicted toof Cannabis abuse are:
Cannabis. According to 2008 report by NSDUHHeart attack
(National Survey on Drug Use and Health), 15.2Cannabis increases the heart rate by 50 percent
million people were using Cannabis in USA. Itdepending on the THC level. There might be chest
translates into 6.1% of the total population agedpain after the intake of Cannabis, because of poor
12 years and above.blood supply to the heart due to decrease in
There are many adverse effects of Cannabis onblood pressure. This might result in heart attack.
health. It is important to create awareness amongThere are reports of death in few cases due to
the people who are getting addicted to Cannabisthe intake of Cannabis for the first time.
without proper knowledge of its harmful effects.Effects on lungs
It has several short-term and long-term effects.Cannabis smoke contains large amount of
Short-term effects:carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.
There are many short-term effects which canCannabis users hold the smoke in their lungs for
result because of Cannabis usage. They are:longer time which irritates the lungs. The
Somatic effectscarcinogenic hydrocarbons present in Cannabis
Cannabis has many affects on physical health. Theincrease the risk of cancer. Cannabis causes
use of Cannabis has many short-term effectscough, acute chest illnesses, lung infections,
including increased heart rate and decreased bloodemphysema, obstructed airways, cancer etc.
pressure, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes, increase inEffects on brain
intra-ocular pressure (increase of pressure in theCannabis has harmful effects on brain. Cannabinoid
eyes), wet or cold hands and feet, musclereceptors in the brain, which influence thoughts,
relaxation etc.concentration, memory, pleasure, sensors,
Psychoactive effectscoordinated movement, time perception which are
Cannabis affects the mind, mood and otheraltered by Cannabis abuse. People using Cannabis
mental processes. The psychoactive effects ofmay suffer from short-term memory loss,
Cannabis can vary from one individual to theschizophrenia, bipolar disorders and depression.
other. The main psychoactive effects of CannabisCauses cancer
are euphoria, increased creativity, sensation,It is said that Marijuana smokers are three times
perceptions and libido, short-term memory loss,more likely to develop head, neck or lung cancer
anxiety, agitation, paranoia, nostalgia, trouble inthan non-smokers as the Marijuana smoke
learning and thinking, loss of co-ordination etc.contains 50 percent more Carcinogens than the
Neurological effectstobacco smoke. So, the risk of lung cancer is
Cannabis has many harmful affects on nervousmore among the Marijuana smokers.
system. Cannabis affects Cannabinoid receptors inMany people are getting addicted to Cannabis
the brain which are associated with reflexes,without enough awareness of harmful effects
motor skills and attention. Cannabinoids inhibit theCannabis abuse. It is important to create
release of neurotransmitters in the hippocampusawareness among the people who ruin their lives
like acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and glutamate.and careers because of Cannabis usage. It is
This results in decrease in neuronal activity in thatbetter to stay away from unhealthy usage of
region. This ultimately blocks process associateddrugs such as Cannabis which has many adverse
with memory formation. Cannabis intake results ineffects on health.
short-term memory loss and other mental