Transcript MARIJUANA
MARIJUANA and other drugs Mr. Kasak MARIJUANA The Marijuana of today is a different and much more potent substance than the marijuana of the 60’s and 70’s….. “Today, marijuana is strong enough to change the trajectory of a kid’s life.” Andrea Grubb Barthwell White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Marijuana Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) Active Ingredient = THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) Used to smoke the leaves – now smoking the bud – only produced by the female plant – much more potent than the leaves 60-70’s: .5-3% THC High lasted 45 minutes Noticed skewed emotional reactions Got the “munchies” Today: 6-20% THC High lasts 3-6 hours Eye-hand coordination affected Sense of speed, distance, time MARIJUANA (weed, bud, chronic) Leaves of the cannabis sativa plant.....dried, crumbled, and then smoked. Immediate Effects of Smoking Marijuana Intoxication begins as a “high” feeling Followed by symptoms that include Euphoria, inappropriate laughter and grandiosity, sedation, lethargy, impairment in short-term memory, difficulty carrying out complex mental processes, impaired judgment and motor performance, decreased depth perception, distorted sensory perceptions, distortion of time (passing slowly) *****dependent on dosage – anxiety, paranoia Hallucinations may be present Immediate Effects of Smoking Marijuana Psychoactive symptoms are accompanied by (developing within 2 hours of ingestion) Red Eyes (conjunctiva) Increased Appetite Dry Mouth Increased heartrate Immediate Effects of Smoking Marijuana Intoxication develops within minutes if the cannabis is smoked – duration of effects is 3-6 hours Intoxication develops in a few hours if ingested orally – duration is somewhat longer than with smoking Hazards of Marijuana Abuse Cellular Level Cell Membranes get saturated with THC and starve for energy Waste products Hazards of Marijuana Abuse BRAIN Most affected are the centers of the brain that regulate a person’s highest level of thought and behavior…… Hazards of Marijuana Abuse LUNGS Carcinogenic tars and benzopyrenes are at higher levels than in tobacco…. Bronchitis Persistent cough Fungus infections Emphysema, cancer Hazards of Marijuana Abuse REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS Suppressed secretion of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and testosterone Luteinizing Hormone Hormone created in the body In women: When LH levels get high enough it triggers ovulation (Ovulation = part of the woman’s menstrual cycle) In men: stimulates the process that produces testosterone (Testosterone = important hormone in males) Which means…. In women: irregularities in menstrual cycle In men: decreased production of testosterone Hazards of Marijuana Abuse Relationship with alcohol Inhibits nausea allowing a person to drink larger quantities before getting sick IMMUNE SYSTEM Suppression of immunological function… Increases susceptibility to STD’s, UTI’s Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive drugs Chemical substances that act primarily upon the central nervous system (Brain and spinal cord) where it alters brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior Medical usage = Glaucoma, nausea in cancer, relieves pain in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. Stored in fatty tissue for several weeks. Can detect up to a month later from the last use Psychoactive Drugs Short-Term Effects Slowed thinking Distorted sense of time and space Loss of balance and coordination Increased appetite Anxiety Short Term Memory Long-Term Effects Effects Central Nervous System Respiratory problems = lung cancer Loss of ability to add to long term memory Narcotics Opiates – Unripened seeds of the poppy flower. Kill pain, suppress coughs and relax => VERY ADDICTIVE Morphine = pain killer Codeine = cough suppressant Methadone = used to ‘ease’ heroin addicts to avoid withdrawal Narcotics (cont.) Heroin (smack, horse) Short term effects = mental confusion, low BP, decrease in HR, low body temp., respiratory depression Long term = constipation, diminished fertility, mood swings Easy to OVERDOSE Arm of a heroin addict Stimulants Amphetamines (speed, bennies, uppers) = Speeds up the CNS. Medically used to reduce appetite and treat nervous disorder. Effects = Gives a “rush”, headache, diarrhea, sweating. Also makes you mistrustful. Overdose = convulsions, coma, death. Methamphetamine (crystal, ice, meth) = An illegal member of the Amphetamine family. The yellowish crystals are crushed and smoked, injected, or inhaled. The effects last for hours. Effects = euphoria, loss of appetite, increased alertness, hyperactivity. Extremely addictive! Dangers = permanent brain damage, kidney and liver damage. Cocaine (snow, rock) = comes from the coca plant. As a paste it can be smoked. As a white powder is can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. As a rock, it is smoked. It speeds up the CNS, especially the pleasure center and may cause a loss of knowing reality. An overdose will bring on a stroke or heart attack. Physically and psychologically dependent. Depressants Depressants, in general, slow the function of the CNS and have effects similar to drinking alcohol. When used in combination with alcohol, the effects are increased. An overdose may cause a person to stop breathing. Rohypnol (roofies) – A powerful hypnotic drug which is used as a date-rape drug. It easily dissolves into drinks without a noticeable taste. DMX (dextromethorphan) = Used in prescription cough syrup. In higher doses, the user feels “spacey”. Inhalants Inhalants = gasses that are inhaled from various products including paint, glue, propane, and nitrous oxide. Short term Effects = Similar to alcohol. Dizziness, loss of inhibitions, loss of coordination. Long term Effects = Liver, lung, and kidneys. Tremors, coordination, speech, walking. Damage Killing massive numbers of brain cells is the major issue May damage other organs Can cause sudden death Drowsiness narcosis, asphyxia cardiac arrhythmia Club Drugs Ecstasy – MDMA (mthylenedioxymethampetamine) Effects – Stimulant and hallucinogen Side Effects = muscle tension, rapid heart heat, impaired memory, high blood pressure, possible heart attack, possible heat stroke because the ability to control body temperature is decreased. GHB (Gamma Hydroxbutyrate) – clear liquid or white powder. Used as a date-rape drug. Effects – Euphoria, relaxation, dizziness, loss of inhibitions, Higher doses cause of loss of memory, respiratory problems, seizures, coma, and death. Ketamine, also known as ‘Special K’, typically used as an anesthetic for humans/animals Effects = hallucinations, numbness, inability to move, loss of memory, and dissociation. Often used as a rape drug. PCP, also called Angel Dust. Effects = mild euphoria, distortion of reality, psychotic behavior. Suicide and accidental death are common as are seizures and coma. The effects last a few hours to several days. Hallucinogens LSD (Acid) = Made from a grain fungus. Method = Usually a small square of paper placed in the mouth. Effect – Rise in blood pressure, chills, fever, trembling, and confusion of the senses. Sometimes users panic when they can’t stop the trip. Flashbacks = LSD is fat soluble and flashbacks may occur. Addiction = the psychological desire to continue using is overwhelming. Psilocybin (mushrooms) – Eaten. Effects = cramps, sweating, vomiting, followed by a trip. PCP – talked about earlier….can also be a hallucinogen.