Marijuana Effects

For long or short terms users of marijuana, knowing the marijuana effects on the body, prior to starting use of this drug, are some things you must be aware of before you start using. There is scientific research which indicates marijuana use can cause a wide array of medical conditions, and the marijuana effects on your body can lead to different health problems some time down the road. The effects begin almost immediately upon using the drug, and can last anywhere from one to three hours time; additionally, when marijuana is consumed in a food format (brownies or baked goods), the marijuana effects are going to take longer to begin, but will typically last for a longer period of time as well. So, knowing the risks and harms, and knowing what the long and short term marijuana effects on your body are, will help individuals determine whether or not they should continue use, or whether or not they should even begin use if they are being pressured by friends, or others they know who are trying to pressure them in to using as well.

Short term effects -
There are various short term marijuana effects which use of the drug will bring about, some of these include:
- distorted perception (from sights, to sounds, the time changes, or feelings of touch);
- issues or problems with one's memory, and their ability to properly learn or take in information which is being taught;
- some individuals will deal with a loss of coordination, due to the "high" they are feeling;
- having a hard time thinking a complete thought, or having problem solving issues for simple tasks; and
- increases in heart rate, or a reduction in blood pressure.
Any of these might occur and are certain marijuana effects which will affect the body for a short term, or shorter period of time than some of the longer term effects are going to have on the body, mind, and one's ability to properly function without the use of the drug in their system.

Effects on the brain -
Delta- 9, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which are the main active ingredients in marijuana, act on certain receptors on the nerve cells of the user, which will in turn influence the activities of these cells in their body. Some of the areas of the brain are going to be affected by the cannabinoid receptors, while others might not be affected, or may not be affected as seriously. These receptors in your brain which have influence on many feelings or emotions the individual feels (pleasure, memory, thought perception, sensory, concentration, ability to perceive time, and the ability to coordinate one's movements), are all possibly going to be affected by the use of the drug. If taken in higher doses, the marijuana effects on the brain might include: hallucinations, delusional behavior, impaired memory, or disorientation with the things around you. So, although not all of these will be impaired or affected, with higher uses and doses of marijuana, these are some of the more common marijuana effects on the user's brain.

Heart effects -
Right upon immediate use, the heart will begin to beat faster, and blood pressure of the user is going to drop. The marijuana effects on the heart is going to cause it to start beating anywhere from 20 to 50 beats per minute faster than it typically beats, and if other drugs or medications (or alcohol) are being used in conjunction with marijuana, this number can increase even higher than this. Due to the increased heart rate, and the decrease in blood pressure, the marijuana effects on the body can lead to a higher risk of having a heart attack (4 times higher within the first hour of use), in comparison to those who have a heart attack if they are not using the drug recreationally.

Effect on the lungs -
As with cigarettes or any drugs you are inhaling, the marijuana effects on your lungs is also something users have to be aware of if they are considering use of marijuana. From burning or stinging in your mouth and throat, to heavy coughing, these are some of the minor marijuana effects on your body, even with infrequent use of the drug. Regular smokers will experience respiratory issues and problems, similar to those which tobacco and cigarette smokers experience. Some of the marijuana effects on the body you can expect, especially if you are a recreational and frequent user include: daily cough and higher phlegm buildup in your body, more frequent and higher acute chest illnesses, an increased risk of lung infections due to the inhalation of the smoke, and obstructed airways, making it more difficult to breath, or take a deep breath. Although these marijuana effects are not likely to be as severe as those who smoke traditional cigarettes and tobacco based products, it is still harmful to one's health, and recreational users who use marijuana frequently, and in higher doses, can expect these marijuana effects to be more concentrated, and to occur frequently.

The risk of cancer is also one of the many marijuana effects one might experience. There have been studies showing that smokers are three times more likely to develop cancer of the neck or the head, over non- smokers. Due to the fact that marijuana has a much higher concentration of tar than traditional tobacco products, and 50 % higher carcinogens, lung cancer in marijuana smokers is one of the more common marijuana effects and conditions that are likely to occur.

Although many are not aware of these marijuana effects, and most recreational users believe there are no serious issues posed to their health if they smoke recreationally, and infrequently, there are certain marijuana effects which are going to turn up, and there are many risks posed to smokers. Therefore, knowing these risks, and using the drug at your own caution, is something that individuals who currently use, or are considering using marijuana should consider, in order to determine whether their high is really worth the many health risks which can occur in their bodies.