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Effects of Marijuana
Created by T. Magallan @ Truitt MS
Immediate Effects
• Effects are reported in minutes, but intensify and
reach their peak in about 30 minutes. Effects are
reported for up to 3 hours.
• Effects are difficult to specifically define since the
participant’s experience and expectations can alter
the drug’s effect.
• Increased heart and pulse rate.
• Reddening of the eyes.
• Dryness in the mouth and throat
• Mild decrease in body temperature
Effects of different doses
• Low doses
– Induce restlessness with an
increasing sense of wellbeing, followed by a
dreamy state of euphoria.
– Change of sensory
perception, experiencing a
more vivid sense of sight,
smell, taste, touch and
hearing.
• Stronger doses
– Intensifies the reactions of
image distoritions, a loss of
personal identity, fantasies
and hallucinations are a
matter of record.
– 10 times more potent today
than in 1975. Increased
potency contributes to the
dangers associated with
regular use.
Long-Term Effects
• THC is absorbed by many tissues and organs of
the body. THC has been identified in the body
system for as long as one month after use.
• It has been demonstrated through research, that
smoking marijuana 5 days a week for 6 months
that changes in the structure of the brain cells
takes place.
• Can increase the heart rate by as much as 50%
which can be responsible for resulting chest pain
in individuals experiencing a poor blood supply to
the heart.
Long-Term Effects Continued…
• Can affect the lungs because the user often inhales
the unfiltered smoke and holds it in the lungs. This
can inflame the lungs and affect other related
pulmonary functions.
• Heavy use can affect the white blood cell
formation necessary for the body’s immune
response.
• Can affect both the male and female reproductive
systems. Chronic male marijuana users have lower
levels of testosterone and a lower sperm count as
use increases. Chronic use by females can affect
fertility and the regularity of the menstrual cycle.
Marijuana and Other Drugs
• There is no evidence that marijuana itself does
cause people to use other drugs. Most studies show
that tobacco and alcohol use often precedes
marijuana use. The overwhelming majority of
marijuana users do not go on to use other drugs, but
some do.
• The earlier marijuana use begins, the more likely
that use will be heavy.
• Early use also increases the likelihood of
experimentation with other drugs.
• Most young people are introduced to marijuana by
their peers. This peer pressure contributes to early
experimentation and regular use.
In summary
• Majority of students report that close friends would
disapprove of smoking marijuana even occasionally.
• Use of marijuana will NOT help solve problems or
guarantee peer acceptance. Provides a temporary
state of euphoria and may appear to resolve
adolescent problems. When the drug wears off, the
individual is still confronted with the same
problems.
• Consider the legal, social and health consequences
of use and then make an informed decision NOT to
use marijuana.
• There is NOTHING magical about marijuana. It
cannot do all of the things that people think it can.