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Some Interesting Facts
about Marijuana
According to the National
Institute on Drug Abuse:
It affects the brain.
One
study found that long-term use of
marijuana
produces changes in the brain similar to those
seen after long-term use of cocaine, heroin, and
alcohol. Moreover, these changes may increase a
user's vulnerability to
addiction to other abusable drugs by "priming" the brain so it is
more easily affected by drugs in the future.
Several animal studies have focused
attention on the hippocampus—the major component
of the brain's limbic system that is crucial for
learning, memory, and the integration of sensory
experiences with emotions and motivation. Taken
together, these results may provide clues to the
mechanisms underlying marijuana-induced euphoria
and loss of memory. Investigations have
shown that neurons within the
information-processing system of the
hippocampus, as well as the activity of the
nerve fibers, are suppressed by THC.
It affects the lungs.
Scientists at the University of California, Los
Angeles, found that the daily use of one to
three joints appears to produce
approximately the same lung damage and potential
cancer risk as smoking five times as many
cigarettes. The study results suggest that the
way smokers inhale the joint, in addition to its
chemical composition, increases the adverse
physical effects. The same lung cancer risks
associated with tobacco also apply to marijuana
users, even though they smoke far less.
It affects the heart.
In one study, experienced
marijuana
and cocaine users were given marijuana alone,
cocaine alone, and then a combination of both.
Each drug alone produced cardiovascular effects;
when they were combined, the effects were
greater and lasted longer. The heart rate of the
subjects in the study increased 29 beats per
minute with marijuana alone and 32 beats per
minute with cocaine alone.
It affects memory.
A study
of college students has shown that critical
skills related to attention, memory, and
learning are impaired among heavy users of
marijuana, even after discontinuing its use for
at least 24 hours. Researchers compared 65
"heavy users" (those who had smoked marijuana a
median of 29 of the past 30 days), and 64 "light
users" (those who smoked marijuana a median of 1
of the past 30 days).
The
Results
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 the drug, a residue of the drug in the
brain, or an actual drug withdrawal syndrome
from marijuana.
It affects
pregnancy.
Scientists have determined a link between the
activation of the biological receptors that
respond to cannabinoids (the psychoactive
ingredients in
marijuana) and abrupt
interruption of pregnancy at a very early stage. These findings
suggest that exposure of embryos to the cannabinoids can often prevent the embryos from
attaching to the uterine wall.
It affects the user's
ability to confront problems.
A series of
in-depth case studies by a research team at the
Center for Psychosocial Studies in New York
found that adults who smoked marijuana daily
believed it helped them function better,
improving self-awareness and relationships with
others. However, researchers found that users
were actually more willing to tolerate problems,
suggesting that the drug served as a buffer for
those who would rather avoid confronting
problems than make changes that might increase
their satisfaction with life. The study
indicated that these subjects used marijuana to
avoid dealing with their difficulties and the
avoidance inevitably made their problems worse.
.The most striking observation
is the discrepancy between what study participants
say and what is actually going on. Although users
believed the drug enhanced understanding of
themselves, it actually served as a barrier
against self-awareness.
If
marijuana
is causing a problem in your life, please get some
help. Find a local Narcotics Anonymous chapter
Narcotics Anonymous
or call your local Health Care Professional.
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