Negative Effects Of Marijuana Abuse On Human Physicology

Marijuana is the most commonly
abused illicit drug in United States
and is obtained from dried flower,
stem, leaves, and seeds of female
cannabis plant. Marijuana is a
psychoactive drug and abused as it
gives a sense of high or euphoria
and relaxation. Marijuana contains
400 chemicals, of which 60 are
cannabinoids. The most active
psychoactive cannabinoid in
Marijuana is delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol or THC that
leads to harmful health effects like
increased heart rate, low blood
pressure, respiratory and immune
system problems, anxiety, and can
even cause cancer.
Effect on Brain
When Marijuana is smoked, THC, the
active chemical ingredient in
Marijuana gets immediately
dissolves in blood and carried to
brain and other parts of body. The
THC affects the activity of brain by
binding to the cannabinoid
receptors in brain. Since
cannabinoid receptors have higher
density in parts of brain that control
concentration, pleasure, memory,
coordinated movements and more,
the person abusing Marijuana
suffers from memory loss, lack of
coordination, distorted perception,
problems in cognitive abilities,
thinking and problem solving
difficulties etc due to affected
receptors. Chronic Marijuana use is
also associated with increase in
anxiety, suicidal tendency,
depression, and schizophrenia.
Effect on Heart
Smoking Marijuana can increase the
heart rate suddenly and this effect
can last for 3-4 hours. The increased
heart rate further increases the
chances of heart attack in the first
hour after smoking Marijuana. The
risk of Marijuana abuser suffering
from heart attack also increases due
to disturbances in heart rhythms
that lead to palpitations and
arrhythmias. The aged people having
heart complications stand at greater
risk of suffering from heart attack
due to Marijuana abuse.
Effect on Lungs
Smoking Marijuana can deposit 4
times more tar in lungs than
smoking normal cigarettes.
Marijuana smoke is damaging to
lungs as it also contains more
carcinogenic hydrocarbons than
tobacco smoke. Carcinogens are
chemical substances that can cause
cancer. Marijuana smokers normally
inhale the smoke deeply and hold
their breath for longer time. Thus,
the carcinogenic smoke remains in
contact with epithelial lining of
lungs for longer time and damages
it. Also, Marijuana smokers suffer
from other respiratory ailments like
cough and phlegm production, acute
chest illness, increased risk of lung
infections, and other respiratory
illnesses.
Effect on Liver
The effects of Marijuana abuse on
liver are still being researched.
Marijuana alone can not be credited
to cause liver damage but the
impurities and other plant residues
that come along with Marijuana can
be detrimental to the liver.
Marijuana abuse can severely affect
the liver function if the person is
suffering from ailments like Hepatitis
C infection, HIV, Cirrhosis,
Hepatomegaly and more.
Effect on Daily Life
Marijuana abuse has severe
implications on health, mental well-
being, family life, social relations,
and on career of the individual.
Marijuana abuse can disturb the
daily life as the person suffers from
memory loss, health complications,
decreased thinking and problem
solving abilities etc. Marijuana
abuse leads to increased
absenteeism, inability to
concentrate, accidents, tardiness, job
turnover, cognitive impairment and
more.
Marijuana abuse especially among
college students and adolescents
needs to be curbed as it can lead to
abuse of more severe illicit drug and
act as a gateway drug. Dependence
on Marijuana can be effectively
treated through proper behavioral
interventions, cognitive behavioral
therapy, and motivational incentives.
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