To be blunt...

Let's talk about marijuana...

Despite what many college students believe, research indicates that marijuana affects the brain in areas that have a direct impact on academic, social, physical and psychological success. Marijuana is also addictive.   The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?

Scientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the brain to produce its many effects. THC acts upon specific sites in the brain called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high" that users experience when they smoke marijuana. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.^{(NIDA, 2010)}

Marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. The presence of MJ in the brain has also been shown to affect the brain's ability to retain new information. In other words, if you get “high” on Saturday night and got to class on Monday, your ability to retain new information is impaired (even if you are not “high”). Someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite the known harmful effects upon functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent) and among daily users (25-50 percent).

Some people report withdrawal symptoms including: irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to remain abstinent.

Marijuana and Mental Health

A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.  Also many MJ users have an underlying mental health issue (anxiety, ADD, etc.) that they medicate with marijuana.  This keeps them from being appropriately medicated with much more effective drugs.

Effects on Health

Numerous studies have shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.  Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours

Help and information at SHU; If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s use of marijuana or other substances, you can contact Janice Kessler, the Alcohol and Other Drug Intervention and Prevention Specialist. Janice is located in the Counseling Center and can be reached at 203-371-7955. All appointments are free and confidential.

 

 

Comments

[annon]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/11/marijuana-doesnt-appear-to-harm-lung-function-study-finds/

The study linked above proves this is utter ridiculous slander. How many people have ever died from marijuana? Not one. Ever. These false studies just testify to how this country as a whole is lied to. Medically, marijuana is used to help patients with the "side-effects" (paranoia, lack of appetite, anxiety, depression), not to mention that THC counteracts cancer cells into dying quicker. Marijuana is not something that harms, it can be used to heal. The only reason marijuana is illegal in the first place was yellow journalism in the early 1900's. Learn the facts and stop feeding people false information. I was hoping as a student of this university that it would show compassion to a prohibition that has caused nothing but trouble for individuals and families on our own soil.

[annon]

also, this. http://imgur.com/E38Tl

[Joe]

Read the documentary "The Union" because that goes against everything you just listed above.

[annon]

*watch* the documentary "The Union"

[Shamkirec]

It takes 3 seconds for you to arobsb the majority of thc in marijuana smoke, longer than that and you're just getting tar on your lungs. Holding a hit for longer than ten seconds may make you feel higher, but actually you're starving your brain for oxygen and killing brain cells.

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Welcome to Wellness - To be blunt...

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[Guykagobar]

India never had issues with marijuana before British. Only difference was it is considered holy.