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The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
Short-term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning;
distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem-solving; loss of
coordination; and increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Warning Signs of Marijuana
Use
▪ Rapid, loud
talking and bursts of laughter in early stages of intoxication, sleepy
or daze in the later stages
▪
Forgetfulness in conversation
▪
Inflammation in whites of eyes; pupils unlikely to be dilated
▪ Odor
similar to burnt rope on clothing or breath Brown residue on fingers
▪ Tendency to
drive slowly - below speed limit.
▪ Distorted
sense of time passage
▪ Tendency to
overestimate time intervals
▪ Use or
possession of paraphernalia including roach clip, packs of rolling papers,
pipes or bongs Marijuana
users are difficult to recognize unless they are under
the
influence of the drug at the time of observation
▪ Casual
users may show none of the general symptoms
▪ Marijuana
does have a distinct odor and may be the same color or a bit greener
than tobacco
Health Hazards
Effects of Marijuana on the Brain
Researchers have found that THC changes the way in which sensory information
gets into and is acted on by the hippocampus. This is a component of the brain's
limbic system that is crucial for learning, memory, and the integration of
sensory experiences with emotions and motivations. Investigations have shown
that THC suppresses neurons in the information-processing system of the
hippocampus. In addition, researchers have discovered that learned behaviors,
which depend on the hippocampus, also deteriorate.
Effects of Marijuana on the Lungs
Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory
problems that tobacco smokers have. These individuals may have daily cough and
phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds.
Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue
injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke.
Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers
and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than
among tobacco smokers. This may be due to marijuana users inhaling more deeply
and holding the smoke in the lungs.
Effects of Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior
A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention,
memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even
after discontinuing its use for at least 24 hours. Researchers compared 65
"heavy users," who had smoked marijuana a median of 29 of the past 30 days, and
64 "light users," who had smoked a median of 1 of the past 30 days. After a
closely monitored 19- to 24-hour period of abstinence from marijuana and other
illicit drugs and alcohol, the undergraduates were given several standard tests
measuring aspects of attention, memory, and learning. Compared to the light
users, heavy marijuana users made more errors and had more difficulty sustaining
attention, shifting attention to meet the demands of changes in the environment,
and in registering, processing, and using information. The findings suggest that
the greater impairment among heavy users is likely due to an alteration of brain
activity produced by marijuana.
Longitudinal research on marijuana use among young people below college age
indicates those who used have lower achievement than the non-users, more
acceptance of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater
rebelliousness, poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with
delinquent and drug user friends.
If you have increased your monitoring of your child
and you suspect that he or she may be using drugs or alcohol, it's time to have
a conversation about substance abuse. In a caring, gentle way, let your child
know that in your family you have a policy of no drug use. And know that you
should have this conversation not just once in your child's life, but often. If
you continue to spot the signs and symptoms of drug use, you may want to take
your child to the doctor and ask him/her to screen for the use of illicit
substances. This may involve a urine or blood drug screen test.
It is also possible to screen your children in the privacy of your home with
home urine drug testing kits, saliva drug testing kits and hair drug testing kits.
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Source: The White House Office of National Drug
Control
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