Effects Of Marijuana

First, let’s talk about what marijuana is and how people use it. Marijuana is referred to as dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Indian Hemp plant, according to the March 2016, drug facts-Marijuana site. Today, this is the world's most widely and oldest used drug, which dates back to the 8,000 BCE’s in China. This drug contains mind altering chemicals called THC, which has been increasing in marijuana over the past years. This means that for new users exposure to higher THC levels gives them a greater chance of harmful reactions. The chemical THC causes the high or intoxicated feeling, which make it an official drug; by the Is Marijuana Addictive website. Intoxication from the drug may be addictive and cause changes in the
The first short term physical effect is trouble breathing. Smoke irritates the lungs and breathing problems can become like those of tobacco users, such as a daily cough and phlegm. Frequent lung illnesses and risk of lung infections are at a higher risk as well. Another short term physical effect is increased heart rate for up to 3 hours. Dilated vessels, red eyes, dry mouth, hot or cold skin, and muscle relaxation are all more short term physical effects. Other short effects include smelling, seeing, and hearing things that aren’t really there. The feeling of panic, loss of personal identity, lower reaction time or slow coordination are again all short term physical effects. Some physical short term effects are actually positive effects such as greater awareness, creativity, sense of humor, and light hearted well being spirit. While long term physical effects include lower life satisfaction, relationship problems such as intimate partner violence, antisocial behavior like lying, and greater unemployment chance and money problems. Now that we got all the physical effects covered let’s move on to the mental effects. One short term mental effect is hallucinations, which is sensations of images that seem real but aren't. Another mental effect which is short term is paranoia which is extreme and unreasonable distrust of others. Other mental health effects are depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The final mental effect which is long term is schizophrenia which is a mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking. Marijuana affects a user's life in so many ways such as poorer mental, and physical health, lower life satisfaction, more relationship problems, and more accidents and injuries. People who use Marijuana before the age of 17 are 18 percent more likely to develop a long term dependence on the drug if they smoked