Thc Drug Research Paper

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 is a mixture of the dried parts of the cannabis sativa hemp plant. Excessive marijuana use can lead to an addiction. The main chemical in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which moves quickly through the bloodstream and to the brain, causing mild hallucinogenic effects. THC binds with cannabdnob receptors and activates neurons, which causes adverse effects on the mind and body. THC can mimic or block actions of neurotransmitters and interfere with normal functions. Marijuana use can lead to disturbed thoughts and can worsen psychotic symptoms. The short-term effects of marijuana include impaired coordination; skewed sensory and time perception; difficulty with thinking; shortened attention span and distractibility; impaired learning and memory. Long term users of marijuana often experience lowered motivation and some can experience anxiety, panic attacks, respiratory illness, and increased heart rate and risk of heart attack.

If you're an avid toker, you've probably experimented with different ways to get your THC fix. From smoking it to eating it, we're constantly inventing new and innovative ways to medicate - But what makes them different?​​​​​ What exactly is the difference between smoking bud and eating an edible? To ingest or to inhale, that is the question.

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.

Millions are abusing marijuana every day. In fact, 1 out of 7 high school students smoke marijuana more than once a day. Marijuana is taken very lightly and is the most highly used illegal drug. For this reason, society should know its short and long term effects on the brain. Marijuana can effect these two areas emotionally or physically. Also in some cases physical damages causes the emotional response. Although most public information on drugs are funded by anti-drug organizations, hopefully we will still learn these true facts of marijuana in spite of that.

     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

The article, “Marijuana and the Teen Brain”, from the Scientific American journal, Claudia Wallis, argues that marijuana negatively affects the teenage brain. Wallis begins her argument by stating her viewpoint on the drug and then proceeds to provide information to support her stance. Multiple studies by scientists/researchers are cited in this article including those based on x-rays of a marijuana user’s brain and others that tested marijuana users on their cognitive skills. Wallis additionally mentions a study on rats which tested the effects of THC. The author provides background information on marijuana to give the reader a better understanding of the concept. This source supports the argument that marijuana use has negative impacts on the human brain because the author also stands behind that argument. Wallis discusses these negative impacts and provides evidence to support her claim. This source cites various studies in which researchers tested the effects of marijuana on the brain which reinforces the argument that marijuana has abnormal effects on the human brain.

Medicinal marijuana has numerous benefits and risks. Marijuana for medicinal use is an is-sue at this time as I 'm sure it will be in the years to come. Medicinal marijuana is an issue at this time because it possesses great benefits, however, it also possesses great risks. Some of the benefits include, but are not limited to, nausea treatment, weight gain, pain relief, and relief from anxiety. Some of the risks include, but are not limited to, lung damage, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure. Cannabinoids come from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s active ingredi-ent. They bind to cannabinoid receptors, which are distributed throughout the nervous system. THC binding to cannabinoid receptors is exactly what causes all of the side effects, good and bad, of marijuana (Merino 10). The issue of medicinal marijuana has both supporters and opponents. Sup-porters believe that the benefits in which patients receive from medicinal marijuana are much great-er than the possible risks.

Some of the short term uses of marijuana include; Short-term memory problems, Severe anxiety, including fear that one is being watched or followed (paranoia), Very strange behavior, seeing, hearing or smelling things that aren’t there, not being able to tell imagination from reality (psychosis), Panic, Hallucinations, Loss of sense of personal identity, Lowered reaction time, Increased heart rate (risk of heart attack), Increased risk of stroke, Problems with coordination (impairing safe driving or playing sports), Sexual problems (for males), Up to seven times more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections than non-users (for females). Long term effects include; Decline in IQ (up to 8 points if prolonged use started in adolescent age), Poor school performance and higher chance of dropping out, Impaired thinking and ability to learn and perform complex tasks, Lower life satisfaction, Addiction (about 9% of adults and 17% of people who started smoking as teens), Potential development of opiate abuse, Relationship problems, intimate partner violence, Antisocial behavior including stealing money or lying, Financial difficulties, Increased welfare dependence, Greater chances of being unemployed or not getting good

known as cancer causing chemicals. (abovetheinfluence.com, 2010). Smoking these 400 chemicals in one marijuana cigarette is like smoking one entire pack of cigarettes. (marijuana addiction) THC changes how the brain works, as stated on the website abovetheinfuence.com in the article “Marijuana Facts (Pot, Weed)” , it acts as a downer causing depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. A study found that smoking marijuana on a regular basis increased the risk of psychosis by 40%. Teens who smoke marijuana before age 15 will also be more likely to have anxiety and depression in early adulthood. (abovetheinfluence.com, 2010). Marijuana is often times referred to as the “gateway drug” meaning many users often start out just using marijuana but then crave for a greater high and move on to more harsh drugs like cocaine and heroin. Marijuana is known to increase the heart rate which can cause additional health problems such as high blood pressure or even cause a stroke or heart attack. Users seem to get extremely paranoid and have impaired judgment and coordination. (abovetheinfluence.com) Loss of short term memory is a side effect that is widely reported by users.

Marijuana is known to have many different health benefits. Two cannabinoids (chemicals found in marijuana) have been found to be safe for medical use. THC is one cannabinoid that’s been useful in reducing pain, inflammation

Although the legalization of marijuana has many positive effects, there are still a number of things that can be argued against it. It is possible for marijuana to have a negative effect on the human brain if used on a regular basis. The drug has been altered over the years so that it has a stronger effect. Shawn Van Gerpen states that “The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana samples confiscated by police has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. In 2012, THC concentrations in marijuana averaged close to 15 percent, compared to around 4 percent in the 1980s.” As time has gone on, the drug has been changed significantly. The effects it has on the human brain are much stronger due to the THC levels increasing. Van Gerpen also states that “One theory that explains how this occurs is that by stimulating the cannabinoid receptors, the glutamate and gamma-aminobutryic acid