Marijuana Information and the Effects of Marijuana Addiction

The marijuana, cannabis, or hemp plant is one of the oldest psychoactive plants known. The chemical in marijuana which makes the user feel "high" is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC as it is more commonly referenced. THC is a naturally occurring chemical found in the marijuana plant that is classed as an analgesic or pain killer. It binds to receptors in the brain and body and mimics or amplifies the receptors natural action. These particular receptors are involved cognitive thinking, memory, anxiety, control of appetite, inflammatory, and immune responses.

When marijuana is smoked, THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs and then to the brain. THC is absorbed more slowly into the blood when marijuana is eaten because it has to pass through digestive track to enter the bloodstream. THC is absorbed into body fat and is then released slowly back into the blood. A single use of marijuana can remain in the body’s fat cells for as much as thirty days.

Marijuana users often become very complacent about things that would be considered normal actions and thoughts. With excessive use, problems with relationships often develop and the marijuana user doesn’t seem to be concerned about the consequences of their actions. Marijuana use is often the gateway to other drug use due to environment in which it is typically procured and the reduction of inhibitions and good judgment that results from its use. Long-term studies of drug use profiles show that very few people use other drugs without first trying marijuana. Cocaine use has been estimated to be more than 104 times greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it.

Marijuana and the Body

Within a few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, an individual's heart begins beating more rapidly, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red. The heart rate, normally 70 to 80 beats per minute, may increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute or, in some cases, even double.

Marijuana users typically experience pleasant sensations, colors and sounds appear more intense, and time seems to slow down. The user’s mouth feels dry, and a veracious appetite and thirst is developed. The euphoric feeling wears off over a short period of time and then the user is often left sleepy or depressed. Some marijuana users may experience negative effects such as anxiety, fear, panic or paranoia.

Heavy marijuana use impairs a person's ability to remember or recall events, multi-task and concentrate. THC also disrupts coordination and balance by binding to receptors in parts of the brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination of movement, and reactions. These effects often cause accidents.

Marijuana users may experience hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of self recognition or personal identity. THC greatly affects regions of the brain where there are an abundance of cannabinoid receptors. These areas include the regions that are associated with movement and coordination, learning and memory, higher cognitive functions, rewards, and emotional response.

THC alters the way in which information is processed by the brain, particularly the section of the brain that is responsible for memory formation causing short term memory loss. As people age, they normally lose neurons in their brain and their memory becomes impaired. Chronic marijuana use may accelerate the loss of these neurons and contribute to a more rapid long term memory loss.

Even occasional marijuana use can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, often accompanied by a heavy cough. Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may develop similar respiratory problems that tobacco smokers incur. A persistent cough, increased and excessive phlegm production, chronic bronchitis, lung infections, and obstructed airways can all be caused or exacerbated by smoking marijuana.

Marijuana use can increase the chance of cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains numerous irritants and carcinogens. In comparing marijuana smoke to cigarette smoke, marijuana contains 50 percent to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco. It also produces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into their carcinogenic form and may accelerate the production of malignant cells.

Other adverse health effects are often aggravated by marijuana use because THC impairs the immune system's ability to fight off infectious diseases and cancer.

One study has indicated that a person's risk of heart attack during the first hour after smoking marijuana is four times his or her usual risk. Due to the fact that marijuana raises blood pressure and heart rate and reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood there is a much greater risk than normal of coronary failure or heart attack.

Marijuana addicts report experiencing often uncontrollable marijuana craving, seeking, and use, even when it is against their better judgment.

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