Long-Term Effects Of Marijuana

Marijuana creates many short-term and long-term effects on the body and brain. Some short-term effects include: impaired memory, altered senses, changes in mood, and difficulty with problem solving. Some long-term effects include: breathing problems, reduce memory, and decrease IQ. A study from New Zealand conducted in part by researchers at Duke University showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing marijuana use disorder lost an average of 8 IQ points between ages 13 and 38. The lost mental abilities didn't fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults (National). This study can be seen as reliable evidence because it was conducted by researched from Duke University, which is a private research

Marijuana has been used in the treatment of AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain ("Medical Cannabis."). Researchers have been trying to explain the negative effects that marijuana can have on the central nervous system and how it hinders memory as well. The constant reports of short-term memory loss by heavy marijuana users brings up the question, is it the most common long term effect of marijuana use? Although it is said that marijuana has many effects such as exhaustion, increased appetite, offset sense of time, and bloodshot eyes, short-term memory loss is the symptom most frequently linked with the use or ingestion of marijuana. But why? Why does using marijuana have any impact on a person’s memory at all? Countless scientists have been working tirelessly to find an answer for this question. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is known to attach itself to areas of the brain linked to memory. When the scientists injected lab animals with THC at Rutgers University, they found that they acted as though there was no rhythm to their thought. It affected the hippocampal circuits in the brain to produce animals that were acting normal but in a delayed or offset manor.

Smoking of marijuana can cause the person to become addicted to cocaine, heroin, and other drugs. Heavy or daily use effects the parts that control memory, attention, and learning (Facts for Teens, 13). When teens are 12 and 13 they are more exposed to drugs and most likely don’t listen to their parents (Age in Stem., 1). Some other psychological side effects would be paranoia, anxiety, fatigue, Euphoria, and mood swings (Fact Sheet, 1). Studies have shown that when a person uses marijuana it causes the heart to beat faster and work harder (Fact Sheet, 2). When people have smoked large measures of marijuana for years, the drugs takes its charge on mental functions (Facts for Teens, 13).

Marijuana has its strongest long-term impact on young users whose brains are developing and maturing. Researchers see a decline in verbal ability as well as general knowledge in children between ages 9-12. (National Institute on Drug Abuse August

Marijuana hijacks the normal brain of teens and plenty of scientists believe that it causes permanent damage on the development of the brain. A study showed that regular cannabis users had increased brain activities and although that may seem like a good thing, it actually causes the brain to work harder and has to engage more resources to respond accurately. The earlier and more frequently that a teenager smokes marijuana, the greater chance of the loss of intelligence by the age of thirty-eight. Teenagers who also started smoking early on in their life and had consistently smoked until adulthood can demonstrate a six point IQ drop.

Dr. Vokow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has also found that long term use of marijuana can affect the IQ of adolescent children in which they never recover (3). Furthermore, young people can also suffer from anxiety; depression; even thoughts of suicide.

This effect can last up to several hours after the drug has been smoked (National Institute on Drug Abuse ). The brain is another thing affected by smoking marijuana, leading to loss of memory in the brain. The nervous system also is affected when using this drug (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Loss of memory and the effects it has on the nervous system alone should raise concern for the American people. Continuing on with heath issues associated with the use of marijuana, it is proven to impair the immune system and can also promote tumor growth (Taylor). The immune system is essential to keep healthy because this is what fights off other illnesses within the body. Increased risk of lung cancer, and cognitive difficulties all can be associated with the use of marijuana (Wilbur). Research has proven smoking marijuana affects health several ways; even though most have been discussed take a look at the following chart, it will help visualize some health issues that are associated with smoking marijuana.

     Long-term effects of alcohol are liver cirrhosis, stomach ailments, impotence, vitamin deficiency, increased stroke risk, decreased mental performance, heart disease, peptic ulcers, hepatitis, and various forms of cancer. Alcohols effects on the brain are loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even blackouts. Long-term effects of marijuana are mouth, throat, and lung cancer, increased heart rate, decrease in testosterone levels for men, increased testosterone levels for women, diminished sexual pleasure, increased blood pressure, increased stress, decreased motivation, and respiratory problems. The THC in marijuana damages the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed, making it hard to remember things.

As THC gets into the brain, it also alters the hippocampus, an area in the brain related to learning and memory. When THC is introduced, the hippocampus has difficulties to communicate effectively with other brain regions, the article Dangers and consequences of Marijuana, mensions (11). Smoking pot hurts teenagers’ life because it makes the brain work harder than normal since THC them ow because their brain has to work overtime to compensate what THC does to the different regions within

People believe that cannabis has no harmful effects on the human brain but that is where they are wong. Teens face much higher risks due to the fact that their brains are not yet fully developed. “Cannabinoids exert their influence by regulating how cells communicate—how they send, receive, or process messages. Cannabinoids act like a type of “dimmer switch,” slowing down communication between cells” (Carah). The article further goes on to explain how marijuana can affect the brain for teens as well as for adults and how it can affect certain parts of the brain in different ways.

Marijuana continues to be the most widely used drug in the Western Hemisphere, its cognitive effects robustly revolve around memory. There have been many studies done on the chemical effects that marijuana has on the brain centers concerned with memory and learning. There are more productive studies relating to the effects of cannabis on short-term memory that show different memory processes effected by this drug. Though there is not much knowledge on the effects the drug has on long-term memory due to suspected confounds that temper with the process of collecting proper data, there have been studies showing lasting effects in adolescents and chronic users (Schoeler and Bhattacharyya, 2013). More research should be done on the long-term processes in order to better understand the lasting effects of cannabis use. Marijuana causes these adverse effects on memory by first altering chemical processes in the brain.

Marijuana has a variety of effects that can damage a person. There are short and long term effects. Long term effects usually occur if a person uses marijuana from their teenage years. “The short-term effects of marijuana occur because THC rapidly moves from the lungs into the blood. This chemical acts on cannabinoid receptors, leading to a "high" for users. These receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence concentration, thinking, sensory and time perception, pleasure, memory and coordination.” (Patterson 1). Short term effects of marijuana can include

THC disrupts the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. This makes it hard for the user to recall recent events (such as what happened a few minutes ago), and so it is hard to learn while high. A working short-term memory is required for learning and performing tasks that call for more than one or two steps. Some studies show that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for many years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions. Among a group of long-time heavy marijuana users in Costa Rica, researchers found that the people had great trouble when asked to recall a short list of words (a standard test of memory). People in that study group also found it very hard to focus their attention on the tests

They are five times more likely to steal than those who do not use the drug. Some believe marijuana is a gate way drug that can lead users to consume stronger drugs to achieve the same high once marijuana no longer “works.” Cannabis has its effects both short and long term. Short term effects are loss of coordination and distortions in the sense of time, vision and hearing, sleepiness, reddening of the eyes, increase appetite and relaxed muscles. When these areas of the brain are disturbed, the user has a harder time walking and talking correctly, becoming quite clumsy. It also impacts their ability to drive which is why states like Florida, have not made the drug legal due to the fact they fear more automobile accidents. Heart rate can speed up. In fact, in the first four hours of smoking marijuana, a user’s risk of a heart attack could increase by five times. School performance is reduced through impaired memory and lessened ability to solve problems. The active ingredients in marijuana act in the part of the brain called the Hippocampus to alter the way the information is processed and how memories are formed. This blockage of memory formation can cause cognitive impairment in adulthood if use happens during adolescence. When young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest and are not motivated to do their school work. Heavy pot smokers in studies scored lower than non-users on tests of memory, attention, and learning. The more they smoked the worse they did. Brain image scans of heavy marijuana smokers have revealed changes in blood flow to parts of the brain involved in memory or attention. Researches have also noted differences in the size and shape of the Thalamus, the part of the brain that’s

There is no evidence that marijuana use causes brain damage. Studies performed on actual human populations will confirm these results, even for chronic marijuana users (up to 18 joints per day) after many years of use.