THE AFFECTS OF MARIJUANA
The NIH notes that learning and memory problems as a result of marijuana can last for days even weeks. While long term effects of marijuana are debated, the NIH states that changes from marijuana abuse to the brain are similar to affects of long term abuse of other drugs.
EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN.
The Drug Policy Alliance Network notes that some marijuana users may experience some psychological effect such as anxiety, paranoia, and panic.
In rare cases large amounts of digested marijuana can result in temporary toxic psychosis. Marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired co-ordination, difficulty with thinking, problem solving, learning and memory problems. Research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana has adverse impact on learning and memory. Can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a sub-optimal level alol of the time.
ADDICTIVE POTENTIAL. Long term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction. This is compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite the harmful known effects upon functioning in the context of family, school, work and recreational activities. Estimates from research suggest about 9% of users become addicted to marijuana. This number increases among those that start young (17%) and among daily users (25 - 50%).
It has been stated in another script that the addiction potential of marijuana is the same as LSD. Marijuana is one of the drugs that remain in the system the longest (27/28 days)
Long term marijuana abusers trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms. Including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to remain abstinent. These symptoms begin with about a day following abstinence, peak at 2-3 days and subsides within 1 - 2 weeks following drug cessation. Marijuana may harm fetus, a new study in animals suggests that children who are exposed to marijuana, in the womb, may suffer from a variety of long term problems even if they are not born with obvious birth defects.
The experiment on the above rats proved that offspring had severe memory problems. Although these findings have not yet been confirmed in humans the authors say these effects on brain chemistry and activity are consistent with existing data showing learning problems in children exposed to marijuana while in the womb. AFFECTS OF MARIJUANA ON THE BRAIN : GOOGLE
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
