Marijuana Effects

There are both short term and long term effects of marijuana and the effects of marijuana often begin with a period of feeling "high", some sense of paranoia, forgetfulness and sleepiness. Marijuana is often termed the "gateway" drug implying that using marijuana leads to using other harder and more dangerous drugs. In the United States today marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to attain.

Shorter-term effects of marijuana include feelings of depression, fatigue, hostility towards others, a decrease in social activity and participation in relationships and carelessness in appearance. For students and athletes, effects of marijuana include a deterioration in academic performance, increased absences or lateness, and little or no motivation to participate in schoolwork, school activities and sports and physical exercise. Many marijuana users show changes in eating and sleeping patterns, most often an increase in both.

Once marijuana is inside a person's system the effects of the marijuana may include "cottonmouth", paranoia, decreased coordination, loss of memory and a slower reaction time. The blood vessels in the eyes expand causing the users eyes to look red and become droopy. After a few hours the effects of marijuana can include sleepiness and "the munchies" or a powerful feeling of hunger.

THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes the high stays in the body for a number of days up to several weeks. It can be detected in a standard urine test for up to a month. While the majority of people believe that marijuana is not harmful, if the levels of THC are high enough, or if the marijuana is laced with other drugs, harmful effects of marijuana can occur. These include a high increase in the heartbeat and intense paranoia.

Marijuana users experience a loss of capacity in their short-term memory and are increasingly factors in car crashes and sexual promiscuity. Even though marijuana is not explicitly linked to dangerous activities and disease, the drug does contribute to higher risks for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and unsafe sex. All physical coordination is affected by marijuana use as well.

Long-term effects of marijuana use are still being researched however initial studies have found that marijuana is linked to respiratory problems and the long-term use of THC can contribute to cancer, and immune system dysfunction. The smoke produced when marijuana is produced has the same carcinogens found in cigarette smoke thus making marijuana smokers at higher risk for developing cancer. One of the long-term effects of marijuana is addiction because a person who uses any drug and seeks it out compulsively is suffering from an addiction. Some heavy users even experience physical withdrawal symptoms associated with harder drugs; these symptoms include insomnia, a loss of appetite, weight loss and shakiness.

Today there is treatment for marijuana use, abuse and addiction. Behavioral therapy and counseling are available for persons unable to quit smoking marijuana on their own. There are support groups such as 12-step programs and group therapy for people who want to experience normal lives without the use of marijuana. At Treatment Referral we provide referrals for treatment for people who have fallen victim to the harmful effects of marijuana and other drugs and we help create a treatment plan that promotes a healthy and drug free lifestyle. If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of marijuana or any type of substance abuse we are here to help.

Call us at 800.399.3612