Discomforts associated with smoking marijuana include dry mouth, dry eyes, increased heart rate and visible signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes and puffy eyelids. Other problems include:
- Impaired memory and ability to learn
- Difficulty thinking and problem solving
- Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia
- Impaired muscle coordination and judgment
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Dangerous impairment of driving skills. Studies show that it impairs braking time, attention to traffic signals and other driving behaviors.
- Cardiac problems for people with heart disease or high blood pressure, because marijuana increases the heart rate
It is virtually impossible to overdose from marijuana, which sets it apart from most drugs.
Long term effectsRespiratory problems
Someone who smokes marijuana regularly can have many of the same respiratory problems as cigarette smokers. Persistent coughing, symptoms of bronchitis and more frequent chest colds are possible symptoms. There are over 400 chemicals that have been found in marijuana smoke. Benzyprene, a known human carcinogen, is present in marijuana smoke. Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide are 3 to 5 times higher than in cigarette smoke. This is most likely due to inhaling marijuana more deeply, holding the smoke in the lungs and because marijuana smoke is unfiltered.
Memory and learning
Recent research shows that regular marijuana use compromises the ability to learn and to remember information by impairing the ability to focus, sustain, and shift attention. One study also found that long-term use reduces the ability to organize and integrate complex information.
In addition, marijuana impairs short-term memory and decreases motivation to accomplish tasks, even after the high is over. In one study, even small doses impaired the ability to recall words from a list seen 20 minutes earlier.
Fertility
Long-term marijuana use suppresses the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system. For men, this can cause decreased sperm counts and very heavy users can experience erectile dysfunction. Women may experience irregular periods from heavy marijuana use. These problems would most likely result in a decreased ability to conceive but not lead to complete infertility.
Information found @ http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/marijuana.htm
Anybody who thinks that any drug is harmless should be rolled down a hill of fish hooks. Go check out the effects of long term Tylenol use. See what happens when you overdose on Tylenol.
Judging by your opening sarcasm I will conclude you are against marijuana legalization because there is harm involved. The thing is that everyone knows harm is involved. The point is that compared to almost any other drug the harm is minor. After two beers most people can't remember words from a list either.
Responsible, moderate use of marijuana is still the safest recreational high available, at least that I know of.
Addiction is easily overcome, long term effects are fairly minor and risks of cancer and respitory problems can be greatly reduced with vaporizers. It has medical benefits.
People do all kinds of things for recreation, over doing any of those things is bad for you and your life. That isn't any reason to make something illegal. The biggest problem with marijuana is that it's illegal. Most people who use it use it in a way that is congruent with a productive, happy life.
The fact that something has drawbacks isn't a reason for it to be illegal. Using substances for recreational purposes isn't wrong. Those drawbacks must be sufficient to prove a large danger to individuals or society. Marijuana doesn't do so.
Res ipsa loquitur.
memor mori, mahalo.
the government just says all that nonsense because they dont want you to smoke weed. i use to smoke. i was a heavy smoker and i made the honor roll every time. i was a straight A student. and i play basketball. at that, i played it high. it does throw off your coordination but it adds excitement to your life.
Discomforts associated with smoking marijuana include:
dry mouth - Not really much of a discomfort, as it makes drinking stuff feel amazing, you gain a higher appreciation for flavour and the sensation of fluid rehydrating your mouth feels great.
dry eyes - This too actually feels quite satifying. It's not so much dry eye as hot eye. It feels nice.
increased heart rate - Looking at a pair of tits will increase my heart rate. Natural biological response.
visible signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes and puffy eyelids - Only a problem because of other people's opinions.
Impaired memory and ability to learn - Maybe, but I still managed to get an honours degree, and since I don't plan on taking over the world or winning any Nobel prizes, I think I'll get by.
Difficulty thinking and problem solving - Dunno about that, my job is all about creative problem solving, some of my best work has been done stoned.
Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia - For me, these have mainly been centred around, anxiety about getting busted, or paranoia about cops busting me.
Impaired muscle coordination and judgment - Luckily, the chances are you won't be too bothered about doing anything that requires anything beyond basic motor skills, so impaired muscular coordination really only matters if it affects your hands. That would mean you wouldn't be able to roll a joint, use a lighter, do a bong, play playstation, do a soul-shake, etc. As far as judgement goes, it may be impaired in the eyes of some, however it may be seen as enhanced in the eyes of others. One person might view their decision to work their way to the top of the corporate ladder as a good judgement call, another might view it as the one thing he regrets most in his life. For the latter a few joints at the right time in his life might have lead him in a more fulfilling direction.
Increased susceptibility to infections - Smoking anything will do this. In fact so will eating anything less than an optimum diet and following a regular exercise pattern.
Dangerous impairment of driving skills. Studies show that it impairs braking time, attention to traffic signals and other driving behaviors. - No surprises there; don't operate heavy machinery; standard advice given even with over-the-counter medication.
Cardiac problems for people with heart disease or high blood pressure, because marijuana increases the heart rate - So? Many things pose problems for people with heart disease, they have heart disease for Christ's sake.
Memory and learning - I managed to get an honours degree in university as did most of my friends, most of whom smoke to some level. I dunno, maybe if somebody's a bit dumb, maybe weed is something they might want to avoid. But with that said, what have they got to lose. I mean if I was gonna be stuck working my ass off in some menial job for the rest of my life, I'd at least like to be stoned. I work a job I love, and even still I need to be stoned to deal with half of the shit I have to put up with.
Fertility - No problems there. Stands to attention, live rounds. Plus I know countless stoners with kids.
Marijuana is not harmless, but it is hardly harmful to the degree that it needs to be illegal. I understand people who don't want to smoke themselves, that's their choice to make. But why can't I make my own choice for myself? Why do they get to choose for me? I'm not trying to deny them the right to decide for themselves, I'm merely asking for my right to do the same. As long as I'm not driving a truck or performing surgery stoned, I don't see what business it is of anybodys.
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I am the people my mother warned me about.
I <3 it!!!
Insert Shameless Self-Promotion Here -- http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ada-castellon
it was supposed to say "I 'heart' it"
Insert Shameless Self-Promotion Here -- http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ada-castellon