The Addiction Help .com

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&rlz=1T4HPIA_en___US204&q=author:%22Pope,+Jr%22+intitle:%22Neuropsychological+Performance+in+Long-term+Cannabis+Users%22+&um=1&ie=UTF-8&oi=scholarr

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/06/030630112652.htm

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/long%20term%20cannabis%20effects.pdf

The addiction is psychological, not physical. Long term effects: mostly damage to lungs/respiratory system, just as you see in cigarette smokers, except somewhat worse, no filters. See above for other research summaries. (psychologist/professor)

2008-08-29 00:19:49 by ditsymiss

Join MPP#39;s Nydia Swaby as she answers this week#39;s question about marijuana: Is marijuana addictive? Do you have questions about marijuana ...

I've been looking through several medical journals and websites on the health effects on marijuana, but I can only find health effects on marijuana 'abuse.' Naturally, no drug is good in excess, legal or illegal and it's rather bothersome that physicians emphasize the dangers in drug abuse, but don't advise on the risks if used in moderation. Perhaps in fear of promoting illegal activity or addiction.

But I see it as a drug not unlike alcohol and tobacco (and alcohol was in prohibition long ago), but I just really want to understand why it truly is illegal. Medical or otherwise.

Please, written sources and facts are encouraged.

I've never seen the (negative) effects to be too different from being drunk.

Note, I don't drink or smoke anything, but that gives me sober mind to take in what happens when friends do it.

I mean, when people around me smoke hash, their mental state changes- more relaxed, even giggly- and they sometimes throw up- just like when you get drunk.

I'm not saying 'YEAH, MAKE IT LEGAL', because I believe there's no cap on legality- like there is none on alcohol, which is why drinking is such a problem- and you couldn't say 'you can only smoke a moderate amount', and people would smoke too much and do stupid things- like they do with alcohol.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-drinking, smoking, or even against some drugs, but me choosing not to do those things gives me a non-biased view. The short term effects are like drinking too much, and the long term ones are like smoking too much.

***

I think it's illegal, as well, because no-one knows the long term health effects, especially mentally.

Drinking too much can lead to a dependence which can lead to psychological problems- hallucanations when coming off, depression etc., but smoking tobacco doesn't cause any mental health problems (except anxiety if you're not allowed to smoke for a time, and depression when trying to get off) whilst they think hash, long term use- even moderate, long term use- can cause delusions and even schizophrenia, but they're not so sure, so it makes it hard to say if hash is actually in the same class as 'legal' drugs because of the long term, mental (and physical, such as lung cancer) health implications.

2008-08-04 02:13:51 by King V

Price: $28.90 $28.90

If you know of any websites that show the negative effects of marijuana use, I would appreciate the help. My searches have mostly turned up pro-marijuana sites, and while there are many of them, the research they point to seems very shoddy.

Websites that specialize in information for teenagers addicted to marijuana (and now several other drugs) would be very helpful.

Please, no pro-drug answers or websites. If you believe that drugs are not harmful, that's fine, but it's not a viewpoint I share and not the type of sites I am looking for.

12-step website, similar to AA: http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

article about teens and marijuana: http://www.choosehelp.com/teenagers/teens-and-marijuana-dont-underestimate-the-risks

http://www.marijuanaaddictiontreatment.com/

I don't have any personal experience with these websites, I just found them with Google. Hope this at least gives you a good start.

2008-01-12 19:25:09 by Medic_13

Price: $65.00

my sugar addiction is ruining my life, because I crave sweets all day everyday, I am at an unhealthy weight, I cant lose the weight, and have high blood pressure as a result...however my boyfriend has a marijuana addiction, he has to smoke everday a couple times a day, I'm pretty sure you know the effects of being a weed head...so which is worst ??

Both are different problems. The only thing in common is addiction. You can do something about you. Your bf can do something about his problems. You cannot fix his problems for him. Focus on you. If you don't get your sugar consumption under control, you'll be adding diabetes to your list of health problems. If you can't get off sugar by yourself, join weight watchers (it works for many). If that doesn't work, try seeing a therapist. You may be substituting food for some other need. Really, focus on your own health.

2007-10-08 10:11:37 by sassynjazzy

I am 16 years old and many of my friends smoke marijuana. I have been offered the drug several times and I must admit I wanted it every time but did not accept. The reason is not becase I want to fit in or anything social like that. The reason has to do with my own anxiety. I have a diagnosed issue with anxiety and depression and I have heard that marijuana has helped many people like me. I'm not stupid though, so I would never use this sort of mind altering drug unless I know everything it does and that could happen. I'm really tired of looking online and finding only sensles rantings by pot heads who say it's "cool..." and extremists who say tha marijuana burns your soul. What is real??? Below are some examples of the thing I want to know about. If you have any piece of what I'm asking then please tell me what you know even if all your knoledge is based on personal experience. I want to see some actuall medical studies by respectable institutes with real citations (that means links).
-effects on lungs (keep in mind that I've never smoked)
-mental effects
-long term brain effects
-short term brain effects
-effects teeth and mouth tissue
-bad weed (laced or mold or other) Vs. good weed and how to tell the difference
-heart/blood issues?
-lentgh of short term mental effects
-addiction causing? dependancy causing?
-worse or better ways of smoking? (rolling paper,pipe, etc...)
-effects on youth (specifically someone my age- 16)
-conflicts with other drugs?
-How much weed does it take to get high? Can you smoke to much at once?
-What is THC and what does it do?

Ill answer all your questions based off the information I have gathered myself.

First I would like to start off by saying I also have social anxiety and a bit of depression. While high you will feel like all is well and you will become more social and all your problems melted away. However when off the drug you will feel the same as you always did. Use the drug in moderation and as a way to put yourself out there and into social situations. You will eventually become more comfortable and you will be able to communicate with others off the drug. (all this is based off my personal experience, the effects are different for everyone). Now onto your questions

Effects on lungs- To be perfectly honest its terrible for your lungs. Your putting carcinogens (smoke) where it doesn't belong. The occasional smoke is not going to chop your life in half but I cant imagine its good for you. However I have read studies where THC can actually kill cancerous cells, so the smoke is going to pollute your lungs but your not going get cancer from it, just black lungs. If your concerned about it use a vaporizer or bake some goodies.

mental effects- It makes you feel GREAT. However when I first started I did get some panic attacks because I was not 100% comfortable with what I was doing. After some research and some more experience I haven't had one since.

long term brain effects- Again, different for everyone. The stereotype is that long term pot smokers are lazy people who cant hold a job. Wrong, there are plenty of smart people with respectable jobs who smoke cannabis. Analysis your personality and make sure you wont become psychologically addicted to it. Other then that you probably wont lose IQ points every time you light up.

Short term- There are two different types of marijuana. Salvia and Indica. Salvia gives you a head rush where you are extremely creative and very outgoing. Indica gives you a couch lock where you have a extreme "body" high where your senses are increased and you become less likely to want to do things. However once you start doing them you don't want to stop. When coming down from a high I usually get pretty tired and usually go to sleep shortly after.

Teeth + mouth- Smoke = yellow teeth, again a vaporizer or baked food will solve that problem. As for the mouth I am not quite sure what you mean. Taste wise its personal preference, personally I love it. Health wise it's probably not good for your gums. This is similar to the lung issue though.

"bad" weed- You can usually tell if something is laced because your dealer will charge you more for it. However some dealers will actually spray the weed with RAID or other harmful chemicals to increase the weight, therefore you pay more for less pot. Just don't buy from shady dealers. But if you do get some shady weed, usually the smell will give away if it was sprayed or not. If you see any weird particles in the pot then don't smoke it. Do some research to tell the difference between THC and unwanted substances. Onto the mold issue, In the curing process of the plant the weed is hanged to dry so it is ready for consumption, mold might grow on it during this process. You can usually spot the mold just by looking at the pot, once again don't mistake THC with mold. (THC is crystal looking things). Google for pictures of moldy weed. Also store your pot in a air tight container to prevent it from spoiling.

Heart/blood- Your veins expand which is why you get red eyes. Your eyes become red because the blood vessels in your body widen. Your heart rate will increase but no more then if you were to run up and down a flight of stairs a few times. If you are in shape and do not have any past experiences with heart problems you wont have a problem in this area.

Duration of short term mental effects- Until your high is gone. Once the 2-3 hours pass you will be back to your normal self.

Addiction- Once again its your personality. Just determine for yourself whether or not you think you will become addicted. My first or second paragraph gives my personal experiences.

Worse/better smoking techniques- When rolling NEVER EVER use printer paper or anything like that. These were not made for the purpose of smoking, the whitening chemicals in this paper are terrible for you. Use paper that is designed for smoking, you can pick some up at 7/11's and such. You can also use bible paper if there is no ink on the pages, just don't make a habit of it. Pipes are clean and easy to use, all you get is the plant material. Vaporizers are the cleanest and best way of smoking. It heats up the pot to a good temperature to release just the THC in a vapor. Thus no smoke, all you get is a fine clean mist which will knock you on your ass =P.

Youth- It wont change your physical appearance... we arn't talking about meth here xD.

Conflicts with other drugs- Do some research with which drugs you plan on ingesting with weed. Never take a heart rate decreasing dru

2009-07-24 14:16:39 by addison