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HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT THE BRAIN?
Biology 202
2004 First Web
Paper
On Serendip
HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT THE BRAIN?
AKUDO EJELONU
Pot, weed, grass, ganja and skunk, are some of the common words used to describe the dried leaves drug known as marijuana. Marijuana is a cannabis plant that is "usually smoked or eaten to entice euphoria." (1). Throughout the years, there has been research on the negative and positive effects of marijuana on the human body and the brain. Marijuana is frequently beneficial to the treatment of AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. However, researchers such as Jacques-Joseph Moreau have been working to explain how marijuana has harmful affects on the functions of central nervous system and hinders the memory and movement of the user's brain. The focus of my web paper is how the chemicals in marijuana, specifically cannabinoids and THC have an effect on the memory and emotions of a person's central nervous system.
Marijuana impinges on the central nervous system by attaching to brain's neurons and interfering with normal communication between the neurons. These nerves respond by altering their initial behavior. For example, if a nerve is suppose to assist one in retrieving short-term memory, cannabinoids receptors make them do the opposite. So if one has to remember what he did five minutes ago, after smoking a high dose of marijuana, he has trouble. Marijuana plant contains 400 chemicals and 60 of them are cannabinoids, which are psychoactive compounds that are produced inside the body after cannabis is metabolized or is extorted from the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids is an active ingredient of marijuana. The most psychoactive cannabinoids chemical in marijuana that has the biggest impact on the brain is tetrahydrocannibol, or THC. THC is the main active ingredient in marijuana because it affects the brain by binding to and activating specific receptors, known as cannabinoid receptors. "These receptors control memory, thought, concentration, time and depth, and coordinated movement. THC also affects the production, release or re-uptake (a regulating mechanism) of various neurotransmitters."(2) Neurotransmitters are chemical messenger molecules that carry signals between neurons. Some of these affects are personality disturbances, depression and chronic anxiety. Psychiatrists who treat schizophrenic patient advice them to not use this drug because marijuana can trigger severe mental disturbances and cause a relapse.
When one's memory is affected by high dose of marijuana, short-term memory is the first to be triggered. Marijuana's damage to short-term memory occurs because THC alters the way in which information is processed by the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory formation. "One region of the brain that contains a lot of THC receptors is the hippocampus, which processes memory."(3) Hippocampus is the part of the brain that is important for memory, learning, and the integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivation. It also converts information into short-term memory. "Because it is a steroid, THC acts on the hippocampus and inhibits memory retrieval."(4) THC also alters the way in which sensory information is interpreted. "When THC attaches to receptors in the hippocampus, it weakness the short-term memory,"(5) and damages the nerve cells by creating structural changes to the hippocampus region of the brain. When a user has a high dose of marijuana, new information does not register into their brain and this may be lost from memory and they are not able to retrieve new information for more than a few minutes. There is also a decrease in the activity of nerve cells.
There are two types of memory behavior that is affected by marijuana, recognition memory and free cells. Recognition memory is the ability to recognize correct words. Users can usually recognize words that they previous saw before smoking but claim to recognize words that they did not previously see before smoking. This mistake is known as memory intrusions. Memory intrusions are also the consequence of THC affecting the free cell of the brain. "Marijuana disrupts the ability to freely recall words from a list that has been presented to an intoxicated subject."(6) For example, if a list of vocabulary words presented to the intoxicated subject and few minutes later, they have to recall the words that were on the list. The only words that they remember are the last group of words and not the words that are in the beginning of the list. This is an initiation that their memory storage has been affected. "The absence of an effect at short term delay times indicates that cannabinodis did not impair the ability to perform the basic task, but instead produce a selective learning and/or memory deficit."(7) I did a study with two college students (Student A and Student B) who both smoke marijuana every other week. This particular study was done an hour before, while and after they were under the influence of the drug. Student A was watching television before she smoked marijuana, was asked which advertisement was splayed before the show started and she got four out of five of her answers correct. After this first section, she smoked a small dose of marijuana twice within an hour. Fifteen minutes after she smoked her last blunt, she continued her regular activity of watching sitcoms. When a commercial would come on, I would ask her simple questions like what happened before the show went to a commercial break. Her responses would be macro-answers about what was going on but when I asked her what the main character was wearing, she did not remember. This was ironic because the protagonist wore a bright yellow suit that my friend commenting on earlier when the show began ten minutes ago. Her short-term memory is weakening because she was only able to remember big picture information and not small picture. Though the results are interesting, I know that I would have had different response on someone else because it depends on how often the user smokes and if they have good memory prior to smoking weed.
Marijuana also impairs emotions. When smoking marijuana, the user may have uncontrollable laughter one minute and paranoia the next. This instant change in emotions has to do with the way that THC affects the brain's limbic system. The limbic system is another region of the brain that governs one's behavior and emotions. It also "coordinates activities between the visceral base-brain and the rest of the nervous system."(8) I am now going to use Students B to describe how emotions are affected by marijuana. Students B is an articulate and well spoken young woman who has a troublesome relationship with her best friends which gets her upset and tense up. But after she smoked one high dose weed, her body was relaxed however, she had trouble formulating her thoughts clearly and would talk in pieces and was jubilant. It has been researched that a person needs to have high dose of marijuana would be in the state of euphoria. High dose of marijuana is measured as "15mg of THC can cause increased heart rate, gross motor disturbances, and can lead to panic attacks."(9) Thankfully, Student A did not experience any of these extreme examples.
College students usually smoke marijuana because they are stressed over schoolwork and feel that marijuana can help them unwind. I have encountered marijuana smokers who are chilled and have no worries in the world but after the effect of the drug wears off, they're sometimes capable to tacking their problem or at the original state that they were in before the drug. The effects of happiness that marijuana usually cause to the user is not a lasting effect because even though a user smokes weed to get away from the troubles of his/her own life, they still have to face these problems after the effects of the drug wears-off. In a survey with college student, an organization called, parents: the Anti-Drug interviewed college students and found that "compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more errors and had more difficulty sustaining attention."(10) This was evident through my second experiment with Student B but not everyone who smoke high doses of marijuana experience the same affect.
The chemicals in marijuana bring cognitive impairment and troubles with learning for the user. "Smoking [marijuana] causes some changes in the brain that are like those caused but cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Some researchers believe that has changes may put a person more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs such a cocaine and heroin."(11) To prevent such harm, one must be cautious of their actions. Those who do not do drugs do not risk harm. So please the next day you light up, remember you that you central nervous system and brain will be at risk.
2)Marijuana: The Brain's Response to Drugs, A Good Web Source
3)Mind Over Matter: Marijuana Series, A Good Web Source
4)Alcohol Addiction & The Limbic System, A Good Web Source
5)Marijuana: The Brain's Response to Drugs, A Good Web Source
6)Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Learning and Memory Impairments Produced by Cannabinoids, A Good Web Source
7)Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Learning and Memory Impairments Produced by Cannabinoids, A Good Web Source
8)Marijuana and the Brain by John Gettman. High Times, March, 1995, A Good Web Source
9)Alcohol Addiction & The Limbic System, A Good Web Source
10)Parents. The Anti-Drug. -- Drug Information, A Good Web Source
11)Marijuana: Marijuana Brain Effects, A Good Web Source
Comments made prior to 2007
I smoked pot straight now since I was 13 years old Im
25 now I smoke it everyday literally through a Bong. I do not smoke
well im at work but as soon as im off and for the remainder of the
evening till I end up going to bed I do smoke. Now I read your page
about the effects pot has on short term memory and brain function,
Since I started smoking pot my asthma has vanished my grades went up in
school my mind learns at quicker rates and my short term memory is far
from gone There isnt much I forget about, unless it is because of my
selective memory. Were the people that you tested on already marijuana
smokers and also there are diff things to be taken into consideration
when testing a substance for example the way it was grown marijuana has
to be grown with nutrients and fertalizers to become potent enough to
smoke for a high but when people use these fertilizers and such they
sometimes do not leech the foods out from the plants which could lead
to all kinds of bad side effects Im wondering if this kind of
inforamtion is taken into consideration when giving test subjects
marijuana to smoke or ingest.
I have no side effects other than a burnt out feeling after smoking all
nite, and in teh morning of course but no brain problems like teh ones
your website describes ... Chris, 7 July 2006
Yeah...i disagree on a lot of things that you have to say about this. Like for one some of the things you mentioned only happen while you're high, but after the high goes away those things do as well. Marijuana is not addicting like other hard drugs or alcohol. Also marijuana helps people with ADD, makes them focus better, and sometimes learn better. Sometimes when you smoke your nerves are more dull, but sometimes they can be more alive, so to speak. You need to know that everybody reacts to marijuana differently. So these test that your doing don't go for everybody. You need to let people know that or else thats kind of false information. Something that really got to me is when you were talking about how people do it to relax and get their mind of things and once the highs gone all the problems come back. Well once again everybody reacts differently to marijuana. A lot of people when there high talk a lot about there problems and life in general. What I'm getting at here is that while their high they can figure out there problems because being high brings you into a new type of world and you think about everything more carefully. It's like it opens up your brain and lets you think more into your thoughts and about whats going on. A lot of times they can solve their problems like that, especially when there is someone there with them to talk to. Marijuana also brings people together. I know someone who hated a bunch of people, but then one day ended up smoking with them. Next thing she knew, they were all the best of friends. I know a group of people and within that group you've got your "gangster" type, Punk type, goth type, preppy type, hick type, and the list just keeps going. All of them probably wouldn't even talk if it wasn't for marijuana bringing them together. I have a lot more to say but, I'm not going to because I have pretty much proved my point. Also marijuana brings the creativeness out in people. Some of the greatest authors, poets, music artist, painters, and so on, get their great ideas or create there masterpieces by being high.
P.S I would also like to add that I am a chronic user and I could remember your whole entire report on it. I also have excellent grades in school, in fact better than when I didn't smoke. I also would just like to add one more thing: You will not understand or ever be able to know how or what marijuana does to you unless you do it yourself. Trust me I once was all anti-marijuana and always said that it does all these bad things to you and blah blah blah. Well now I actually know how it really does make people feel because I have experienced it and everything there is in that type of world.
P.S.S I do agree with a few things that you had to say ... Jen, 9 November 2006
Hi, I really found this information very useful because it IS a misconvention among most of the college/university goers that marijuana increases concentration and increases the work capacity of an individual. I personally believe that it DOES increase the work capacity of the abuser to some extent, that's when the drug abuser is not in a "stoned" state of mind, but then too, what is at stake is the brain and central nervous system malfunctioning, which degrades the intellectual, job and social skills. So in my opinion, it's not a good deal ... Ankur Gupta, 25 February 2007
allright tell me something if you say a list of say 20-30 vocabulary words and you were asked to read them over, then you were asked say 5 minutes later to remember as many of those words as you can, do you really think you'll be able to do that? no i bet if you asked 100 people to do that that around 90% of them wouldnt be able to do it.
also riddle me this batman, how many people die each year from drunk driving accidents? now dont im pretty sure you've been drunk, and maybe once smoked pot in your life right? well which had a more sever affect the weed or the alcohol? yeah the alcohol!
im a stoner i will proudly say that. but if i have the choice between alcohol and weed i'd take weed anyday. i've driven high that isnt a problem. when im high i drive a little slower then normal and im lookin for the nearest 7-11.
weed isnt a drug it has no addictive characteristics what so ever!!! ciggaretes kill more people then alchol,guns,and pissed off husbands who come home early.
now weed doesnt lead to other drugs what so ever, i've been smokin the stuff everyday for the past 4 years and i have yet to even think about trying other drugs. if mother nature didnt want us to smoke it she wouldnt have put it here!
its as simple as that!! ... Reader on the web, 21 July 2007
Hello, I was told about this site as a friend of mine was completing a research paper. As I looked over it, there seems to be lots of misinformation involved, and my friend has abandoned this site. I wouldn't mind if you read through all of my message carefully. To start off, the following statement is not backed by any scientific evidence what so ever. "Marijuana impinges on the central nervous system by attaching to brain's neurons and interfering with normal communication between the neurons." This has been proven to be false on multiple occasions since the 1970's. Cannabinoids to not not impinge on the nervous system what so ever, this isn't lysergic acid we're dealing with. "Marijuana plant contains 400 chemicals and 60 of them are cannabinoids" This quote right here is misleading. Every plant is comprised of hundreds of chemicals. In fact, they're not even chemicals, they're just substances that comprise the plants' structure. Also, the majority of cannabinoids that are also found in cannabis are produced by the body naturally. Also regarding cannabinoid receptors. "These receptors control memory, thought, concentration, time and depth, and coordinated movement. THC also affects the production, release or re-uptake (a regulating mechanism) of various neurotransmitters." This is simply false, I do not know where this source came from. Your brain does not use cannabinoid receptors for memory, thought, or concentration. Next,saying that "When one's memory is affected by high dose of marijuana, short-term memory is the first to be triggered." is also blatantly false. Marijuana does not directly impact memory, but short term memory only when high off of THC or CBD is affected because the user may be 'distracted' if you will from the plant it self. Also, referring to a 'high dose' of marijuana is ridiculous. There is no such thing as a high dose of Cannabis because there is no possible way to overdose. It is strictly impossible. The most obnoxious quote that i've read from this site is, "Marijuana also impairs emotions. When smoking marijuana, the user may have uncontrollable laughter one minute and paranoia the next." I cannot believe that this would even be published. MARIJUANA DOES NOT CHANGE A USERS STATE OF MIND. PEOPLE CAN MAKE THE SAME RATIONAL DECISIONS AS THEY WOULD WHEN NOT USING THE PLANT. PERIOD. I am actually appalled by what I've read here, and I'm even more appalled by the sources you've used. Unlike true informational sites, you've only used web sources. That is completely absurd. If you look at any reasonable fact site about Cannabis you will see that the sources that are used are mainly from published books and factual citations. Please realize that much of what is on this web page is completely false and misleading. I wouldn't mind hearing a response soon to defend your case ... Spiros Thomas, 7 November 2007
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| This paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written for a course at Bryn Mawr College. Like other materials on Serendip, it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their own explorations. Web links were active as of the time the paper was posted but are not updated. |
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Comments
Please Read... I need opinions.
Ill make this short and sweet. I have two issues: myself, and my boyfriend. First, my boyfriend. He smokes weed every single day. literally. and he smokes all day. he's stoned 20/24 hours a day, maybe the full 24. he's not a bad person... he says weed makes him a better person, but he does a lot of other hard drugs too...he's done just about every drug in the world at least once and over 200 tabs of acid in the past 2 years. does anyone have anythign to say about that?
second, i enjoy smoking pot... or really, i WANT to enjoy smoking. but every time im stoned... i get weird, like i feel like everyone around me is weird and i dnt like them and i just get so lost in my own head and my own thoughts.. it never used to be like that... i used to just be stoned and have fun.. but now when i smoke i think TOO much and i try not to think about it before i smke, i try to put myself in a good mindset so i have a nice high... but EVERY time.. and i get GOOD herbs in cali, EVERY TIME... i just thik everything is weird. im not paranoid, i dont sit there wishing i wouldnt be high anymore.. but rather im just thinking and thinking.. about the meaning of life and existence and human behavior and the actions and motions and words of those around me.... and idk why.... if anything, opinions on last one would be amazing.
OMG!
for your first issue, your boyfriend needs to go to rehab. seriously. and second, STOP SMOKING!
Please Read...I have an opinion for you.
You don't have to enjoy smoking, don't do it just because your boyfriend does. If you don't like that feeling of weirdness when you get high, don't smoke! It's not like your life will come to an end if you stop smoking. If anything, it will get better. There are so many other fun things you could be doing besides getting high, like instead of smoking with your boyfriend at his house, you could go see a movie and get icecream. Doesn't that sound much more enjoyable? Please consider what I am saying.
for ur second question, don't
for ur second question, don't get worried thats completely normal. i enjoy getting like that
in an introspective bout i
in an introspective bout i find myself stumbling onto this page... in hopes to better understand what is going on in my brain right now. I sympathize with your problems as it pains me to think of another human being undergoing what you are experiencing. weed effects everyone differently.. you may want to have fun with it, but it may not just be able to happen. As of right now i am try'n to convince myself that i can get a grip on things... stay focused. i just spent the last three hours dealing with my chaotic mind... it just doesn't stop. i write, draw, write more... nonsense.. even now.. i have to try so hard to get myself to focus... try to find a balance, a calm.
anyways, i'm sorry, i know i could just write on and on, but i know everyone else but me will perceive this as mindless rambling. so i tell myself to focus. in all honesty, your boyfriend will probably end up suffering from his drug abuse.. anyone can and probably will tell you that. As for you.. do what makes you happy... if you suffer from it... don't.
i hope you find a balance.
How much sleep do you get?
How much sleep do you get? Ive been through the same thing, twice, at about 3 in the morning. It was like I was unable to shut off my mind. What i think you really need is sleep. Smoke yourself into a coma, listen to some music, whatever relaxes you do it. If that doesn't work and your still restless, my advice is to exercise. At the very least the adrenaline in your system will help you focus your thoughts.
Has anyone ever noticed that the symptoms of sleep deprivation and the "negative" effects of weed are smiler? Problems with concentration and short term memory, paranoia, and mild hallucinations can all be brought about by just not sleeping. Sleep is when the brains neurotransmitter systems reset themselves. So is there some sort of chemical interplay between cannabinoids and a brain that is deprived of rest? Free radicals, highly reactive chemicals that are naturally produced during waking brain cycles, are cleared from the brain during sleep. So what happens when psychoactive cannabinoids come in contact with Free radicals?
Anyone know a neuroscientist?
By the way, this is all just speculation based on my own limited experience and a really awesome class on the brain and behavior. Weed affects everyone differently and if you don't like it, I know a few heads who do. Doesn't everybody?
In My Opinion
1st off i would considor talking to your bf about the hard drugs because of the addictive chemicals in them and the fact that you could very well die from them. also being stoned 20/24 hours a day could cause dependency issues and you should be able to act normally while not on the drug.
secondly i would reccomend taking a break from smoking if you aren't enjoying it. You could be developing a tolerance for the drug which means it would take more weed or harder drugs to get you as high. neither are a very good idea but if you stop for a while then your tolerence level may drop and you can enjoy weed again.
ITS MAKES ME THINK SMARTER
Iam 26 years old i first smoked it when i was 14 i been now smokin it on and off for 7 years it make think better i have now three fast food fried chicken restaurants i smoke with managers of my businesses i could talk to them better when they are high and they listen.and all my store are doin good better than ever recession free we have a fourth restaurant opening this month.IF you smoke and u dont like it dont smoke
IT DOES NOT MAKE YOU THINK SMARTER
You think it makes you smarter, but did you even look at how you wrote that comment. That has to be some of the worst writing skills I've ever seen. I could barely understand what you were saying. You can only talk to your managers when their high because your high too, chances are if you weren't high when you were talking to them or they weren't high when they were talking to you, you wouldn't be able to understand a word they were saying. They'd be talking nonsense. Do you understand what I'm saying. You like smoking, okay, fine, but I hate to see that you are so misconceived.
Have mutual respect
It is very interesting to read all the thoughts and experiences people had, but nothing new …. People who smoke say it’s like paradise and people who had to suffer seeing their children on drugs and becoming addicted are saying it’s a nightmare and hell, marijuana is not addictive, but it may lead a person to seek new sensations in heavier drugs.
That’s the biggest danger that marijuana caries in it, how exactly it’s influencing the brain it’s still a mystery as the brain itself. Children must be kept away from marijuana or any other drug or alcohol, because their mind is not formed they can be easily influenced and manipulated, young must grow spiritually and physical they must be surrounded by peace, harmony and love from their parents and their friends the young must be motivated by sports, knowledge and reading.
Marijuana has it’s benefits, but only for certain groups of people, spiritually and mind formed, certain of their powers, strongly motivated and well mind fitted, they can control this flow of energy and make it more than just getting high, but it doesn’t matter, anyone who is doing it must be aware of the dangers and of the price that will be paid…. If it will be abused.
I am smoking marijuana once in 3-4 months I admit it, but I would like everyone who does it to be responsible and make sure young never get it from your hands, explain to them that it’s not cool as they think, tell them they must gather knowledge see life and have experience before doing that, in other case there is a big possibility of 40% that it will f..k up their lives they didn’t even had.
Thank you for your attention, have mutual respect make your own decisions on your perception of good or bad……..
Well Put!
I will be asking my daughter to read your comment...I hoping it will help her see that she isn't capable of handling pot and it's transending applications at this point in her life. Maybe it will even help her recognize that she needs to stop until she is older and more developed.
And just a note, she says that pot isn't addictive because she READ it somewhere...but only today she admitted that she is mentally addicted to it and loves the high she gets and depends on it to survive her life Anyway you slice it, it can be addictive!
Get on with it
I had been stoned on pot everyday for the last 35 years. I used to be a bad drunk as well but quit that 15 years ago. 6 months ago I quit pot. This was not very easy I assure you. There were physical and mental implications worse than alcohol withdrawl so don't try and tell me that it is not an addictive drug. I had felt pot made my life more enjoyable but it was just the need to be stoned that made me think that. To all you people that are fooling yourself do you really want to be smoking this stuff as long as I did if not QUIT NOW and GET ON WITH IT. I do agree alcohol is worse but they are both bad. I also believe alcohol is the gateway drug not pot. Most if not all the drugs I tried over the years I would not have had I been sober.
i love smoking weed. it makes
i love smoking weed.
it makes life better easier to live
it makes shitty situations not even that bad.
it makes assholes your bestfriends.
like theres so much good shit it does.
surreee it hurts your lungs and other such thingsss but seriously were all going to die somehow and im going to die happy and, HIGH AS A KITE.
i really dont know why anyone could hate it.
truth
I've been smoking weed off and on for 30 yrs. I'd say about 70% on. That is..I have smoked alot! When I first started-as a 13 yr old. It was 35 dollars for a big, 'five finger' ounce. Now it's about 10 times as much. I've smoked every kind if bud there is.. gold bud, hash, tai-stick, red-haired stink bud etc... I've smoked out of bongs as tall as me and I've smoked out of tp rolls, apples, papers etc.. I'm giving you this background to lay the ground for what I'm about to say. I've been reading the posts above and I'm very concerned to get the truth out there. I agree that everyone is affected by pot in different ways because we are all so different and unique. But guess what, being high changes who you are. Sometimes in a seemingly positive way but the key word here is SEEMINGLY. Just because you feel better..or more at peace or more creative for a time does not mean in REALITY you are better or more at peace or more creative. The thing that has been scaring me about my use of pot lately is that my desire to be 'high' takes over almost every other desire I have. To 'catch a buzz' before I go to...whatever.. has become the norm..and I don't like that. I like to be in control of My brain! The dangerous thing about marijuana is it's subtlety. It's like a slow ride to nowhere. A slow, SEEMINGLY peaceful ride to becoming someone you were not born to be. Oh and by the way, I am sober now and hope to be the rest of my life. Why? because life is short and I want to be present during it.
uh
true but you wont die immediatly you'll be living on a oxygen tank and you'll look retarded plus everyone else who isnt smokin weed will have to pay for your healthcare for your oxygen when it wasnt their fault
Love should be for people..not a plant.
Love is a strong thing. I know it SEEMS to make life easier.
I know it SEEMS to make shitty situations-not that bad.
I know it SEEMS to make you more tolerant of ignorant people.
The key word here is SEEMS. Can you understand that? You see, when you are stoned you don't get that. It is all smoke and mirrors (nice pun huh) It's not natural. If it was we would produce THC in our bodies. We wouldn't have to pay 80 dollars or so every 2 weeks to 'feel' that high.
CONSIDER THIS...
Yes, we all have to die sometime, but you'll surely die twenty years earlier if you continue to smoke. Do you want people coming to your funeral knowing that you died of drug abuse. Think of how upset and disappointed your parents would be.Think of what a bad influence you are to younger family memers.
Husband has smoked for over 30 years now
I read this article and the comments. I find it interesting how someone under the influence could have so much knowledge. From someone who does not need a drug to function but lives with someone who over many years has I can say nothing good comes from this drug. He does like so many of you justify by comparing it to other drugs like comparing makes it better. The bottom line is when he did quit for 2 whole years I seen a huge difference in his mental state to be able to focus on something and actually finish it (whether it is some conversation or physical project). He started back up due to the fact he could not figure out how to deal with life situations without his pacifier. He has the pipe like his way to cope with difficult situations. Get stoned and the problem will not be so bad.
I seen him when he was not stoned for that time able to not be so moody. That was so wonderful. He did not fly off the handle over little things and make them into something like he has over the years. Now after many years of being stoned he is starting to have memory issues to the point he remembers things involving other people and when he brings them up even me we (people he claims where involved in whatever he remembers happening) have to point out how impossible and that is did not happen. He is thinking he is loosing his mind now and I am concerned thus why am researching for answers of why his memory is failing him.
I am not a doctor or a pot head. I am a concerned person thinking that denial and justifying is not doing anyone good. How can anyone think that this drug does not effect them blows my mind. I have seen the effects first hand with not just him but hundreds of other people and I can not think of one instant where I can say their life is better for the drug.
Just my view point. A mom who raised four children without a husband who I could turn to on so many occassions due to a habit it picked up when he was in junior high. Now the kids are almost grown and on their own and he is wondering where he was when they where home. He regrets not quitting before they arrived.
Husband Smoked for 30 years
Absolutely RIGHT spot on!! No amount of Denial, Rationalizing, or comparing can negate the TRUTH behind the Stupidity!!! Just another drug to attempt changing Reality. GROW UP POTHEADS!!!
Concerned for you husband
I dont blame the guy for smoking every day. If I had to listen to your nagging controlling point of view of how to live my life. I would smoke all day everyday. Please tell your husband he does not have to live in this way. He should leave you now the kids are out of the house and let you find a lump of clay to try to mold. I feel sorry for your husband really I do.
numbing grief that felt like it would kill me
Hi,
I smoked weed when I was a teen it numbed the pain of flaky parents and being ignored by the adults in my life. I got pregnant when I was 18 so I quit smoking. When I sobered up I realized getting preg saved me from a life with a guy that was totally treating me like crap. I left him had my healthy baby boy, went to college and met and married a man I have been married to for 16 years. My baby boy died in 2006 from drowning by electrocution. The pain is more than I can take somedays. One of my friends gave me a little weed. It numbed me just as well as it did when I was a lost and ignored teenager. Weed has made the last three years better but I want to back off being numb. I have been sober for a week and the most I have had is the sweats. I have realized in the last week that I was more numb than I knew. I have been upfront with my family about my use. I dont like that it is illeagal which makes it hard to get and you have to hide it from most. My advise to other users is to know that you are numb. There is noway to smoke good weed and remain as alert as you normally are. If you remained the same none of us would use it. It has been very needed twice in my life. I think you have to use it like you do any medicine. It has served me well but I dont want to stay numb forever. I will probably use again in my life. I am glad it is available when I need it.
What to do about paranoia???
I've been smoking for a little less than a year about every day and i still get feelings pf paranoia almost every time i smoke and sometimes it gets out of hand... i always tell myself im going to be fine and i always am just fine but what do i do to stop the paranoia? i love smoking pot but hate that part. i wanna trip with my boyfriend on harder stuff but he doesnt want me to untill my paranoia from weed goes away... any suggestions?
weedd tripppinngg :(
I smoked weed for about a month and one day I was smoking a blunt with my friends and all of a sudden I was feeeling so weird so I put my head down and a few minutes later I lifted my head up thinking I was dreaming and I tried jumping out of the car on the high way and my friend grabbed me and I didn't even mean to jump out I was not even controlling my body I was so scared and I felt like nobody could hear me when I was talking and things were repeating I was so freaked out... This current day since march I have a hard time getting in cars and going long distance I refuse to go somewhere far because I am scared I will trip myself out and do something I do not wanna do, like jumping out of the car =( if anyone knows what this is please email me and help me out. thank you. Oh btw I'm 16, very young age to be having a problem like this one, it hurts so much.
weird trip
to me it kinda sounds like the bud u were smokin was laced with somthing,,,,,u might be 16 but geuss what im 14 and started when i was 12 and i havnt had any problems yet so it could just be your jeans or like i said your pot must have been laced oor just really damn good
i agree wit jus 14 teen an i
i agree wit jus 14 teen an i started smokin weed when i been 10.shit a blunt a day make everything ok. shit weed is my best friend people think cause im a girl i cant smoke shit.
Alright I'm with that
Alright I'm with that person..I'm 15 and I've smoked weed ever since I was 8 years old..I've smoked laced shit normal bud all kinds and nothing even remotly close to that has ever happened to me so your shit was laced
ive been a pot user for the
ive been a pot user for the past two years mostly because of a very stressful life at home because my mother has a very high chance of dying within the next year or so which is constantly causing fights in my family and leading to a major rift. when im high im in a better mood im calmer can see things more clearly from her point of view and help out more willingly
before i started at age sixteen i was had tried to commit suicide due to the many things that were going on in my life. the person who got me started has kept me alive thus far and if im not smoking i cant think i am angry ALL THE TIME and often end up getting kicked out of my house because of it
now i read your article and well understand the effects of pot and what it can do to your brain but when i smoke i get along better with my mother dont get kicked out of my house and do my homework with far better results. i feel that possibly losing a bit of memory and maybe a few panic attacks is worth it if it saves my life and possibly others who are going through simlar situations
p.s. have you ever smoked pot before???
p.s.s pot is not a gateway drug unless you count cigarettes because thats the only other thing i do
Spiros Thomas, Thank You...
As I was reading through the original post by Akudo, I kept thinking "...That doesn't seem right..." about every other sentence.
I just wanted to say, Thank you to Spiros for posting all the corrections that you did. ^ ^
Also, to add one on to the list of corrections...
The sentence "Because it is a steroid, THC acts on the hippocampus and inhibits memory retrieval," confused me because I had NEVER heard of THC being referred to as a steroid and it didn't make much sense to me anyway.
But, since I do not pretend to know everything about life, I decided I would check the source that Akudo listed (Source # 4). Well, as is the problem with ONLY ONLINE SOURCES, the page was deleted or was removed... Either way, it no longer existed.
So I went to various search engines and typed in "THC steroid" and, not surprisingly, got no results that linked THC to being a steroid.
There are so many more corrections that should be made to the original post, but it just depresses me to have to go through the article again...
My point, you ask? For people curious about marijuana, do LOTS of research. Please don't trust just one or two web sites for all your pot stats. Also, check the year of publication... Lots of old information that was widely accepted back in the day has been refuted.
And one last note. For all the people that posted on here that "stoners are stupid" or "untrustworthy" or "change because of pot," let me give you my opinion.
People are stupid.
People are untrustworthy.
People change.
Just like every other group in the world, you have your stupid people and your smart people; you have your untrustworthy and mean and your loyal and kind...
Some pot users are completely unintelligent... but they're not unintelligent because of the marijuana, it's because unintelligent people simply exist. And to be honest, some people weren't meant to use marijuana -- just like some people weren't meant to eat certain foods or take certain prescriptions.
Saying "all stoners are or will become stupid" is a stereotype and a prejudicial statement. And we really don't need more ignorance in this world. (Please???)
Thank-you very much for your time, and remember, keep an open mind! That goes for pot-nay-sayers and pot users alike!
^ ^ Smoke responsibly!!!
I totally agree with that comment
To start off, i'd like to thank anyone who reads my whole comment, i think you will find it an interesting read, food for thought if you will. I would have to say that weed is the most controversial subject out there. The hype is what gets to people and makes them draw conclusions. People will believe anything that satisfies them, even if it is not actually true; do your research. There is a LOT of bull out there. Just look at the film "Reefer Madness" from the 1930's. This film is LOADED with clearly made up theories on what weed does to people. I think that even people who don't smoke weed but have basic knowledge on it could realize that. Its just so childish. It is the ultimate example of government conspiracy. It says how this kid who smoked weed killed his family and himself (or something like that, haven't actually seen the film but read up on it). After the film was made it was found out that the kid suffered from schizophrenia! SO, as Brittany said, "People are stupid, people are untrustworthy, people change." So from that quote you hopefully understand what i mean. I really do believe this "medicine" will be legalized in my time.
I've smoked for about a year now and i'm 18 as a senior in high school. I get decent grades, which have gone up EVERY year altogether. I feel like it fills the gap in my life for other problems i had to deal with before i smoked. Or as Drake says, "I be gettin high to balance out my lows." I have not seen any "new" problems from my smoking weed. It brings friends together and is an escape from problems in life, just don't abuse it. Now that i have a vaporizer there is virtually no risk.
I really hope that someday people will truly understand that weed is not as harmful as they believe. Just look at alcohol and tobacco, they're LEGAL, and can kill you. Weed is ILLEGAL, but can't...whats up with that??
So again, there is a lot of ignorance in this world and ignorance tends to be contagious in such an ignorant environment. I have seen weed become "decriminalized" in my own area so i believe we're finally getting somewhere! Again, i think thats proof that it will be legalized one day.
As for those that are so deathly against weed, if you don't like it, don't smoke it. There is NO need to push your beliefs on others and thats it. If you look around on the comments there are many cases where weed saved peoples lives. The only way its harmful is if you get laced crap but thats another story.
So anyway i could go on and on but i'd like to thank those of you who read my whole message, i've been wanting to post something like this for the longest time.
kind of agree
I fell that yes you are mostly right but i dont agree that it should be used to escape your problems. But that goes wih any drug in my opinion. I feel it should be used for fun and for the medical necessity. Just like you would go to a bar with your friends to have fun. I also dont feel that the young should smoke till they're older and outta adolescence. I just dont believe it or any drug is good for a growing maturing person.
Wonderfully put!
Thank you Brittany,
Well put! I couldn't agree more!
College student
Through reading the comments of marijuana users I couldn't help but make an observation to how many spelling and grammar errors were made. I am a daily marijuana user as well, but with being a user i also recognize the affects the drug is having on me. Marijuana is NOT by any means healthy for body or mind. Nobody needs drugs to perform better in anything, you simply need the will to do so.
All I can say is WOW!!!
All I can say is WOW! I hope all you stoners out there are reeding this. You guys are embarrsing yourselves wiht pro marijuana comments. Ya, lots of misspellings in this comment but you brain damaged weed heads problly didnt notice. peace.
okay first im a stoner and my
okay first im a stoner and my spelling is way better than urs and u no what I DID NOTICE!!!!!!!!!
WOW is right i smoke weed
WOW is right i smoke weed every mother F***ing day! theres no stoppin! If Weed was so bad for u y is there medical use for it? it can be used for so many things Hemp, Oil, headaches and all of the above i say just pack a fat bowl sit back and relax
Good grief, you aren't
Good grief, you aren't kidding. I love pot, but some of these people need to study a little harder. This is embarrassing.
Before I relate my story of
Before I relate my story of smoking, I just want to give any new smokers some advice. DON'T SMOKE WEED UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE YOU WANT TO! I can't stress this enough! People that have had episodes of extreme paranoia probably had them because they were afraid of what would happen. That is so not the way to start out. Also, to all the people that are sure they want to start, remember to consider a few things:
1. It IS illegal! Use your head and don't smoke in parks or anywhere easily accessible to the public. That's just asking for trouble. Cops like to patrol those areas so steer clear.
2. Do not over-do it your first time no matter what your friends say. That will almost guarantee a bad trip.
3. Smoke in moderation. It is fun, but know your priorities. Don't let it suck up your life. If you do, you might end up losing close friends, or even worse, your family.
4. In the end, it's all about having fun! So just be smart and think about where you want to smoke. For starters (if you can't smoke in the comfort of your own home) anywhere that is a little bit of a challenge to get to (on foot) is usually a good place.
Moving on, I've been smoking for just about two years now and it's been great. The first time I got high, we hot boxed my neighbor's room with a joint. I got suuuuper happy and I remember I was wearing my black tank-top because I could feel the comforter of the bed on my back. It felt amazing and I started rolling around and making hilariously retarded sounds. I enjoyed it and so did my friends (watching me actually increased my friend's high enough for her to notice), so from the get-go weed was pretty awesome.
I continued to smoke at least three times a week and never experienced any long-lasting effects. Then recently I started smoking at least once a day. There was not (and is not) any decrease in my memory (short and long-term) and I am always conscious of what's going on around me. My work ethic towards school and towards work did not change at all.
Later on, I quit my job because I really did not enjoy it at all (there is only so much joy to be had from bagging cranky people's groceries). I had to find another job so I could have some money to spend on school supplies/gas so I quit smoking for two months. At first I was thinking 'oh man, this is gonna suck. what if I'm addicted and I start having withdrawls?' Not at all. It was no problem. All I had to do was not buy anything and not smoke with my friends. The whole not smoking with your smoker friends thing is kind of hard, but that's really up to the person to make the decision to not smoke.
I started back up again on Halloween and it's been great ever since.
Now, having said all that, I'm not saying that there are NO down-sides. There are. Weed effects everybody differently. One of the guys that tagged along a few times always had bad trips and it was a pain to baby sit him. However, this guy was kind of odd to begin with so I don't think the weed helped him much.
A few more things to be aware of:
1. Unless you only use edibles, you ARE INHALING SMOKE. It doesn't matter what kind of smoke it is, it's still smoke, and still pretty bad for your lungs.
2. Edibles take AT LEAST 45 minutes to kick in. Don't eat too many all at once if you're new to it!
3. If you smoke out of a pipe for the first time, you might not feel anything. Do not fear! More than likely, it's because you don't know how to smoke out of a pipe properly yet. :) If you are willing to give it another try, I suggest hot boxing a car or a room with a friend an a joint. Second hand smoke is easier to get high off of because all you have to do is breath.
4. If at any point you feel nauseous or like there is something horribly wrong, stop smoking and keep a cool head. You aren't going to die or anything from smoking weed. You might have to throw up though, so stay close to a place you can do that.
Okay, now that I've said all that, I really want to address all the people on here that claim that weed makes everybody forget things, sends your motor function to hell, ruins your family life, and destroys your work ethic towards anything. This may be true for some people, but usually this only happens with hard-core stoners. Just like with another little something called Alcohol! Anybody that is an abuser of weed is just like anybody that is an abuser of Alcohol. They have a problem and need help.
So please don't sit there and claim that weed is super extra bad for you, when alcohol is just as bad (worse in my opinion, but I don't enjoy drinking very much anyway) and people die from alcohol poisoning all the time.
Thank you for reading this far! Happy New Years a little early, everybody!
P.S. All the smokers bashing on the non-smokers and vice-versa should be ashamed of themselves. That is no way to promote your way of life and just proves to the other side that they're correct in the assumption that your way of life is horrible. :/
P.P.S. If you want to quit smoking don't be ashamed or afraid. It's not that hard at all. With the right motivation and support it is possible to stop smoking for good! Fill your time up with something else. That usually helps with break-ups, and quitting smoking is almost the same. I'd be happy to offer some support for anybody that wants it. E-mail me at liquiddancer009@hotmail.com.
You put forth a well balanced
You put forth a well balanced defence and I really can't disagree with much of it...however, not all people that decide to smoke pot are as well adjusted as you and take it on with a mature attitude...you are probably not the norm of the commenters on this page.
My issue is that you said..."I really want to address all the people on here that claim that weed makes everybody forget things, sends your motor function to hell, ruins your family life, and destroys your work ethic towards anything. This may be true for some people, but usually this only happens with hard-core stoners."...
Can you honestly say that? My daughter isn't a hard core stoner...she smokes pot regularly but not excessively...I have never seen my daughter stoned even though she admits to using it...my daughter needs mental health attention because she does forget everything, she can't maintain a balanced life. She can't sit in class, or commit to getting there. And if she does get there, she can rarely stay in class...she is angry and is only receptive to others when they are agreeing with her. She has no respect for those that should be important in her life and has too many conflictive relationships to count. This is just a few of the negativ es she is dealing with.
She is beautiful and smart...but she isn't book smart anymore, she can't retain what she reads. She will forget almost everything she does, hears or see's...she can't be trusted with medication because she has tried to overdose on it. She started have hallucinations the past few months and was concerned she might be going crazy...
The problem is that DOCTORS won't give her the help she needs for her psychosis because they feel it is a drug induced psychosis and say she has to stop using pot...and be drug free for about 6 months before they will treat her for psychosis...Now what do we do for my daughter? All she reads and hears is that it is NOT bad for you...how it can help with life's issues...she is adamant that she is NOT giving up pot...I only wish that if she is going to continue to do drugs that she would be as well adjusted and in control of her life as you are...however, as I said before, I don't think you're the norm...
So basically, I guess the pot may not be responsible for her mental health issues,,,but the POT use is what is stopping her from getting the help she needs...SO in her case,,,YES, pot is BAD for her...surely you can't disagree with that?
beautifully expressed,liquid
beautifully expressed,liquid dancer (?)...how refreshing to have a well-written, well considered, balanced statement amidst the accusations, misinformation and blathering idiots! thank you.
i agree
i agree
Think sessions with pot
Hello internet,
I'm 18 years old, I've been smoking pot since i was 16. I strongly believe pot opens the mind to thoughts that wouldn't be thought of without smoking.
Smoking, thinking, and writing my thoughts is becoming a way of life for me. The writing is necessary so I can remember what my highness thought of. These "think sessions" really help me go through life and have an overall positive effect on my personality. I strongly recommend having think sessions with pot in mind (literally haha) and keeping a special journal that you only allow yourself to write in if your high.
I've also come to some conclusions on when pot should and shouldn't be smoked.
When to smoke:
Pot should be smoked before and after school, and if possible, during. (in order to eliminate the negative effects school has on its victimized students)
Pot should be smoked whenever you have an urge to be violent, so you wont.
Pot should be smoked if you are going to be with a boring person for say...30 minutes or more, and you want to have a good time. Warning: that could improve your relationship with this boring person.
Pot should be smoked if you're about to wait in a long line.
Pot should be smoked when your tripping on mushrooms. Trust me.
When to not smoke:
Pot should not be smoked if you have a girlfriend...unless she smokes too.
Pot should not be smoked if there is someone with you that you cannot trust.
Pot should not be smoked if your about to do anything requiring speedy hand-eye coordination.
Pot should not be smoked if you don't want to smoke it.
This is awsome!
My buddy and I get high all the time! We choose to use our Iphones to record our adventures, and then listen to them later while we are high again. We call these adventures "high files" and I was wondering if this is what ur "think sessions" are like.
This is also a game that capitalists want our young people play
I am talking to all these young people who smoke weed, i am a mother of a very smart young girl who recently found out that her daughter smokes pot. She is now very far from all her capabilities for future . Her interests in life have changed a lot from healthy habits towards laziness and dropping marks and hating school. I hate weed or any drug because I see the negative effects on my daughter. I know this is not happening only to her but also there are thousands of young people who slow down in life because of weed. and you know why because it is available to them and because it is beneficial for mafia to make the motor engine of society (YOUNG KIDS) stoned, YOU YOUNG PEOPLE not only ruin your life, but also ruin all the efforts that your parents have done for you to raise healthy and real happy humans(not fake stoned happy guys who have delusions and live in sky not reality)
To the Worried Mother
While I don't think weed (or any other mind altering substance) is healthy for a growing child, maybe you should take a look past the pot and at your child's life.
Most people, in my experience (drugs or not), change during their teenage years.
Maybe try asking your daughter WHY she's smoking pot.
Is something wrong at school? Is she getting picked on, or peer pressured? Maybe classes are harder than she expected, or a teacher she has is extra hard on her...
I started smoking pot when I was 15 and my parents NEVER knew.
I continued to get High Honors (no pun intended) EVERY year of my high school career.
I participated in after school activities -- such as Community Service Club, Honor's Society, etc, danced on my high school's Dance Team, was even part of a ballet company.
I'm not saying your daughter's behavior changes have NOTHING to do with pot, but usually, there's any underlying catalyst involved.
Maybe all your daughter needs is your support in all this (not support in her drug habit, mind you, but emotional support).
In my experience, when a parent finds out about their child using drugs and attacks them (calls them stupid, overly punishes them, hounds them) it pushes them away...
Try finding out what's causing her to turn to marijuana, and I think that you will be able to help her much more successfully.
I hope this helps...
Good luck!
Oh, and actually the mafia doesn't really have much to do with pot trafficking (I'm assuming you're referring to the Italian mafia). It's more concerned with "big name/big time drugs" like heroin...
I can honestly say that I never have, nor do I know anyone who has, ever bought marijuana from a mafioso.
But -- back the point -- I hope you and your daughter are doing well! Best wishes!
This article!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets see...where do i begin. I started smoking weed i believe in my sophmore year of high school.At first i thought....wow what a stupid drug and people that smoke it, really have issues. The thing is, that i never smoked it before and i couldn't determine if it was bad, unitl i actually tried the drug. The worst thing in the world, is someone who is closed minded. So i tried the drug and at first it was a little unusual. After experimenting with the drug for so long, i wanted to know more.You state in your article that people do it to " Forget". That is true on some levels, but not on all. Yes! the problems will still be there when the subject comes off the high, which is not good for the mind. My personal experiences with weed have been both good and bad. I have a had a panic attack from it and i have also tripped from it. I have learned to embrace the drug. It is not that the drug is severly harmful. It is how you use your mind when you are taking the drug. you see everything starts in the brain.If you tell yourself it is just a "drug" when you are consuming it, it therefore no longer classifies as harmful. When you are on a high, some of the most creative sides come out of people. I also did a case study on weed. I did it with a group of people. The diff. between you and I, is that i actually tried it. you have to try it, in order to do a proper case study. I found that the subconsious mind comes out in weed. People show who they really are when they smoke. Some people are calm, some are energertic, some are horny.....it is really interesting to watch. I stongly encourage you to do so!
I have been there.
This is what you said: also riddle me this batman, how many people die each year from drunk driving accidents? now dont im pretty sure you've been drunk, and maybe once smoked pot in your life right? well which had a more sever affect the weed or the alcohol? yeah the alcohol!
Are you stupid. I hope I am not reading this wrong. But they have not done testing on pot when there have been car accidents. Only on alcohol. They are just now starting to do the testing in 2008 and have found, yes people with THC in there system. This is 2008. Now if there was studies made at the same time the alcohol was done way back in the past then there would be no differance. Get real buddy. And yes I was a stong pot smoker as you. My friends use to drive and smoke pot and so many times we have been in car accidents . And let me tell you it's not pretty seeing a child come out of a car with blood all over them and it was your pot friends fault.. OH one more thing they tested him for only alcohol and got away with it. Now that is messed up. He should of went to jail. That is when I stopped smoking. People like you mess it up for the young adults. Get real ass hole. Stop fouling our young adults. And if your going to smoke pot. Do me a favor. Don't drive. A drug is a drug no matter what form it is as long as it altures the mind.
The reason you got in an car
The reason you got in an car crash is because you smoked
for all the dumb reasons, just to get high and look cool in your parents
car. There's a shit ton of others i'd love to say you yet I'm on an
itouch and it's just not fun to type.
In reply...
While I do agree that you really shouldn't drive under the influence of ANYTHING, I have a quick question for you.
When your friend was in the accident, were you guys smoking pot IN the car? Were you passing the blunt/joint/what have you around? Because that in itself probably caused the accident.
And that's called "distraction," and can happen without any help from the marijuana itself. It could have happened from changing the radio station, looking over at your passenger, grabbing something from the glove box, answering a phone.
I'm not trying to lessen the horribleness of the experience you went through... and I'm sorry you had to go through it.
But, I was just curious.
I am a pot user (although not currently since I can't for a specific job I have), and was involved in ONE car accident related to pot.
We have driven high numerous times, and the only time we ever had an accident was when the passenger passed a blunt to the driver and it fell onto his leg, causing him to swerve slightly.
It was a minor accident, no one was hurt and the only car that was damaged was our own (and it was a scratch really...)
Needless to say we never did blunt rides again because of the DISTRACTION of the actual blunt passing.
And never again did we ever get into any sort of accident.
Perhaps your friend couldn't handle driving and being high; some people can't, which is why I don't advise it...
But please, really. There are car accidents caused because the driver was passing a soda to someone in the back seat.
And I don't see you yelling at people who drink carbonated beverages to stop doing so in their cars.
my boyfriend smkes
my boyfriend smkes weed.......fucking pisses me off......thats it..had to get it off of my chest.bye
Yo
Hey maybe your boyfriend needs to smoke it to stand being around you.. bye.