Drug: Marijuana
Marijuana is usually a crude mixture of dried crashed product of the seeds, leaves and stem of the hemp plant, cannabis sativa whose flowers could be processed into resins to form hashish, which is more potent than crude marijuana. It contains chemical substances one of which is psychoactive and potent referred to as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is used in various ways which includes smoking, brewing or mixed with food substances. Use of marijuana is commonly initiated to new users by their peers who pressure them to experiment and fit in the group. However, is the use of marijuana detrimental to the user? Currently, marijuana is very strong which has effects of modifying the physical and mental processes which poses a health hazard to the user of the drug. Marijuana as an illegal drug has the highest number of users in the in the United States (NIDA, 2011).
THC transfers to the blood stream from the lungs after smoking marijuana and is able to reach the brain where its effects initiate. THC attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain followed by cellular processes that contribute to the ‘High’ experience which affect pleasure, concentration, memory, coordination, thinking ability, perception among others. The immediate effects of using marijuana includes quicker pulse rate and heart beat which rises by twenty to a hundred percent soon after smoking which may cause heat attack, stroke, and palpitations. Other effects include dry throat and mouth, blood shot eyes, short-term memory impairment, loss of concentration & coordination. In addition, some individuals experience anxiety, schizophrenia and depression loss of control which may trigger panic (NIDA, 2011).
Regular users of marijuana portray psychological dependency which causes them to be unable to control their use and ends up taking more so as to experience the desired effect. The neuropsychological effects may be as a result of brain’s drug residue, withdrawal effects and neurotoxic effects of marijuana. This ends up compromising relationships and working ability since they put critical emphasis on the use of drug. For young adults marijuana use may trigger them to experiment on other hard drugs such as cocaine and heroine. Moreover, these teenagers neglect schooling due to loss of interest as marijuana not only interfere with learning abilities but also impairs comprehension, thinking, short-term memory and mathematical skills.
Marijuana users are unable to safely drive since there is declined reflexes and thinking ability which becomes difficult for the driver to make a sudden response in case he or she is needed to do so. The drivers potential to keep .on lane, brake suddenly, control speed and proper judging of distance are impaired and is even made worse when alcohol is taken along. Other studies assert that women who take marijuana during pregnancy give birth to premature or low birth weights fetus. Others show that marijuana could be attributed with infertility especially during sexual and physical development in adolescents (NIDA, 2011). Long terms Marijuana smoking can cause lung cancer due to chemical carcinogens and tar product contained in it. All the same, marijuana has been used in the pharmaceutical industry for therapeutic potential of cannabidiol referred to as Sativex®, for chemotherapy in cancer patients and managing neuropathic pain experienced in multiple sclerosis. Besides, marijuana is used in as an analgesic, sedative, managing nausea, appetizer and lowering ocular pressure as well as for religious, spiritual and recreational reasons. The synthetic medications contain cannabinoids and include “dronabinol (Marinol®) and nabilone (Cesamet®)” (NIDA, 2011).
Reference
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2011). The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction: NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana. Retrieved on March, 25, 2011 from http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
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