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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
entrainment
i sincerely feel those people would have been a lot more creative through increased skill. Mozart, Beethoven and others were not on booze or weed. not everyone may like their general works, but everyone can recognize their extreme creativity. their are cleaner ways to boost concentration, such as hemi-sync and focus meditation without an aid. meditation, not TV yoga or new age humming crap, but real single-point focus explodes creative insight and realization. it is explodes it so much, just within two weeks, personally i struggle to keep up with the vivid dreams and streams of realization that flow. drugs is the easy way, but also a very limited way. they give you glimpses of experiences, that with just a couple weeks practices, you can far surpass ..manually. i'm tell you, you have no idea your brain's potential. you can initiate all those altered state at will. it's called entrainment.
High DRO vs. Low DRO
First of all, there is no other reason to do any thing unless it makes you feel good about yourself. If you want to smoke fucking pellets of turds, you can smoke pellets of turds.
I have been an adverise smoker pretty much now for more than half my life and I can't think of doing anything other. I am married with 2 beatiful kids, I have a very successful business dealing with software developmeent and I owe it all to the ganj....
I can tell you that when I am not either smoking or looking forward to getting smoked, my attitude towards life is very derogatory. I am unpleasant with my family, I lose all interest in work. Its like my life has no meaning.... Which, I must admit is completely sad... I have always been good in sports, and have always done things much more successfully when I am under the influence.
My wife, is not a smoker, and she gets me when I have smoked... I don't think I would still be married if it wasn't for this magnificent medication.
I believe you can accomplish little, and still be able to love yourself because it really doesn't matter about status quo when you are mezmerizing in your inner thoughts.
My wife has a sister that has never gotten high her hole life and she is one of the most biggest screw ups I have ever seen in my whole life... I mean she is just one messed up drama series after another... If she wants to better her life, I keeping stating to her, that she should at least try to take up smoking and quit the drinking....
If only I had the power to give every one a chance to smoke at least one cigarette before judging the act.
later all.....
ganja
Amen to your comments, my boyfriend and I are avid smokers, I cannot tell you enough of the good that it has given us in many ways, it has never gotten me in trouble like alcohol and certainly does not do the interior damage of cigarettes. Obviously you know so I don't need to explain that you can be dialed into to a heaven all your own even while living in hell. Keep the peace brothers and sisters.
My Smoking Story
I've read a lot of the previous posts and I'm glad that people are interested and do want to discuss this topic. Well I started smoking weed when I was 17, I smoke almost every day with some off periods like ACT and etc. I did good in high school without any major effort... I did and still do work. Now I'm 19, started college this summer and I'm failing math. I never regret smoking because i feel like all the good times and adventures being Stoned have opened my eyes on the world and I have a different (friendly and peaceful) perspective towards world. However, I feel like it's time for me to quit ((and it is fkn hard)). Smoking on weekends or once in a while is good, but i smoked like every day and now I feel so crushed under the pressure of busy life and all i think about is hitting that kush. Its not a physical addiction like cigarettes, it is just a habit for me which i need to break. I'm fine but I'm tweaking about my inner health and math class, I also smoke cigs which always make me feel sooo lazy. I'm gonna try quiting this weekend, at least for a while.
GIVE ME SOME ADVICES THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO QUIT. and wish me good luck.
ps - I don't even know why i wrote this post
hello frnd
hello frnd how are you . i hope doing and getting well .
and well first of all i tell you about myself i bit .my name is deep and i am from india (punjab) and i'm 20 now and i am doing b.tech in cse .i read your post and i would hav to write you this that , i'm quite like you i tried weed at your age and i use to smoke cigg. too and alchol like da fish and i hav almost left da drinkin now and just havin weed mostly.
and i am happy for you that u are making your mind to quit smoke , one thing dat i want to tell you quitin smoke is just on you .you just can't drop this thing untill you really want to leave it .
well if you hav time then talk to me on yahoo and that is hdeeps@yahoo.com . take care then ...
weed
hi, im 17 years old and just got expelled from shadow mountain high school in phoenix, arizona for weed. I have been smoking habitually every day since 8th grade and i had strait a's and b's up to my point of expultion. explain to me why weed has had no effect on my educational life.
your one of those stoners who
your one of those stoners who doesnt get burnt out as easily? your attitude to smoking is different. i kno i sometimes get paranoid/self concious and i get tired as hell sometimes yet one of my friends smokes pot and is the most outgoing not quite person ever.
crack is wack pot is hot
i have been smoking weed for 2 years now and i feel so much better than i used to. it makes me feel like i have a reason to live!!! plus its fun to get high.
Let me break it down like
Let me break it down like this--
This particular web page is filled with horribly wrong information. The best part of this entire page is that alot of the information wasn't just wrong, it was the polar opposite of the truth. I have done numerous research papers, debates, and presentations on marijuana and its sideffects for my college professors. I have smoked marijuana for over 7 years. I started working when I was 12 years old, a year before I started smoking weed. I have, literally, never been without a job. I get great references from my employers, I make the Dean's list every single time around, and I have had my own house (yes house) for 2 years while balancing work and school.
Most of my friends (3 of which happen to be my current employers) say that they can't even tell when I'm high. I'm laid back, hard working, and efficient when I'm sober. I'm laid back, hard working, and efficient while I'm high. For anyone that has ever worked, or made a career, in a kitchen, then you know that you WILL NOT survive if you cannot think and react quickly. I have been working at my current job for more than 3 years, I am currently the sous chef, and I handle any and all public events hosted or participated in by my restaurant. I get compliments on my customer interaction, as well as my service and cooking, while I'm high in public talking to the leaders of the industry.
So for those of you saying "OMFG MARIJUANA WILL KILL YOUR BRAIN!!" No it won't. Most of the stupid stoners that you know, they were stupid before they started smoking marijuana.
P.S. I smoke multiple times every single day. I work out 6 days a week (I actually recently set my college's bench press record). I haven't had a GPA lower than 3.8 since my freshman year of highschool. So for those stereotypers out there, fuck you. Marijuana CAN be bad, and marijuana CAN be good. Everyone's body is composed of a different chemical balance, thus reacting differently to everything. So please stop saying that marijuana will destroy everyone's brains and make them all act different. Also, please stop saying the complete opposite. Just shut the fuck up in general and let people do what they do, if it bothers you then look the other way.
i gonna stop... first and last time..
i have a short term memory loss for days... i am not a pro.. but last time i smoked once realy2 a lot.. and i just dont remember a think of what im doing and so on.. i dont know what im talking i just go to people that i dont know and just talk... i just feel like im drunk man... but for days i suffer this shit man... damn
I think that everyone who
I think that everyone who commented on this page are complete idiots. INCLUDING AKUDO EJELONU!!! Obviously he/she has never smoked pot before! and for the rest of you, LEARN HOW TO FUCKING SPELL!!!! It makes your comments seem unintelligable, and the brain will automatically scrap them for garbage! So next time you think about posting a comment, USE SPELL CHECK, OR GRAB A DICTIONARY!!!
Dude, they aren't real. They
Dude, they aren't real. They are trying to fit in and seem like they are like us. This is meant to be a scare tactic. Don't let it detrail you. Try Weed and see if you like it. Have fun!
Wow,the information on this
Wow,the information on this paper is really out of date.It also has a lot of information that is incorrect. Marijuana flowers (buds) are smoked not leaves.
When smoking marijuana, the user may have uncontrollable laughter one minute and paranoia the next. This doesnt happen to anyone. That is something that you see in movies.
I could sit here and tear this paper apart with scientific studies,disproving the majority of the writers claims.
The thing is alcohol is harmful but legal.We all have known or heard stories of alcoholics.The same thing applies to Marijuana, some people can use it responsibly,other can not. I personally prefer smoking Marijuana,then drinking alcohol.It is physically impossible for me to over dose from smoking Marijuana unlike alcohol.I believe that I should have the right to do something I enjoy, when Im not hurting anyone, other then myself. Yet Im a criminal in the eyes of the government and my fellow Americans.That is why I fight for the end of prohibition on Marijuana.If it was legal it would be regulated and harder for the youth to obtain.Marijuana is Americas number one cash crop,a 16 billion dollar industry. Why not legalize a plant that is no more harmful then alcohol and boost economy with new taxes and jobs.
PS, Please excuse any typos or improper use of grammar.I use a thumb keyboard and it makes it difficult to type.
Marijuana is bad, im tired of everyone saying it isn't.
I understand that almost everyone does it and I have done it in the past but I learned what I was doing was wrong and was hurting the people around me. If you smoke everyday and you "think" youre fine because youre doing everything the same as you normally would is because your a pothead and all you know and will probably EVER know is marijuana and its sad to say but it is true. My father smoked pot for years in the 80's and he is now a permanent schizophrenic and lives in an assisted living facility, he suffers from learning dissabilities and I can now NEVER say I know my dad because I never knew who he was before all the drugs. Maybe some people are not affected by it in a negative way but it could happen to you. Yes all of you reading this are probably going to go light up a blunt anyways but at least you know how weed fucked up one person and affected everyone around it.
let me tell you some thing ,,
let me tell you some thing ,, if you think is bad that mean is bad .. only for you and if you think is right it just for you ,, enjoy your life and do the best out of it ,, you only gonna leave once so be it ,, as long you are doing good, and doing your share here in this planet next thing you know bye bye,, and life to short so like what i said do good things to people and be nice mind your own thing,,,,,
lol i love how people believe
lol i love how people believe weed is so bad for the himan spirit when really it is probably one of the best things for u it does help u figure out problems and since i started smoking pot my marks have gone up and i have been doing alot better in school...i have more fun, and also have less problems...i am a cronic user and i am not ashamed to say i am....
I will add.....
That in driving while stoned , I am every bit as dangerous , slow to react and slow to comprehend current driving situations ...... More so actually as I'm usually off in my own little world of thought. sitting at Green lights , sitting at stop signs , missing the lights and signs because I'm so distracted by my " stoned thought process "
So for all of you saying " Alcohol kills more...." there is only proof that alcohol kills more because it's legal , frequently used and more instances of immediate proof and testing at the time of an accident.
As a Network Engineer and security specialist ....That's like Saying " Windows is proven to be ten times more dangerous ... but the fact is that Windows is so widely spread and used it's the biggest target of attack..... When another Os (substance) becomes so much more widely used(alcohol) and the target of hackers ... then you can use real statistical data..... until then the numbers of users/results os far far and away too skewed.
Also compare plain crashes to car crashes ..... 100 planes come through an airport a day.... 6000 cars drive down the street beside that airport... Statistically speaking, the end numbers are incomparable.
A PERCENTAGE of users/events is the only comparable data.....
Educate yourselves before using the " More people die from alcohol use than weed" argument.
Former smoker
While I won't testify to your experiments and logistical data..... I will make mention in support of some of the things you've stated.
I am a former daily smoker (age 16-20). Eventually after having children the guilt , paranoia and fear of trouble really got to me. Does this mean it was a wrong thing to do ? I can't vouch for that.... I drink alcohol and of all the various drugs I have tried alcohol is the one that I can actually feel somewhat comfortable with at this time. Does that make it better or worse ? I can't say .....
Back when I smoked daily I was a very functional weed smoker. These days on the rare occasion that I try it , I feel like I enter a knew higher plane of understanding. I also realize that I am not so functional.
Does this mean that weed is wrong ? I won't say that .... no more wrong than many other legal drugs today that are commonly used ( alcohol , tobacco , caffiene etc .... )
What I CAN attest to is that for me ..... Occasional use can lead to some very deep understandings of situations by removing the deep rooted thought process that may be altering my perceptions ( past events , current restrictions , fears , concerns etc ) ... Epiphanies if you will... Yet I've also found that some of these epiphanies were incorrect , yet the high made me "so positive" that I understood it all..... ( paranoia perhaps ? )
At the same time , constant use , does in fact make me more lackadaisical , less focused and less willing to do much more than just hang out and relax and "daze out". It effects my memory and emotions on the little things that are not found "Profound" during the time of the high.
Like any other drug ( legal or not ) it can be addictive as an escape from the problems of the world and a way to feel more at ease. I don't think I've ever heard someone say "I need to get high to focus on this event coming up" (unless in a very artistic way to allow imagination to run free ) ... Instead it's usually "I need to get high to relax and unwind..."
So, again, as the right or wrongness , I won't attest. I am simply relating my personal experiences with it in the past and occasional presence.
So many of the responses seem like typical responses from smokers who feel attacked and that they must retaliate with comments like " You don't know what you are talking about .." " You're an idiot who's never experienced the true feeling ..." etc etc ... Just a heads up ... Some of us have been there and done that .... and still agree with the negatives things listed in the article.
For me ...regardless of right or wrong... There is way too much at risk in too many ways that I will not risk it all for a "high". I made that decision many many years ago. For the same reasons I feel so uncomfortable around it today ....
Good luck on your studies and in school and future careers ( as I see this is a few years old I imagine you have already graduated..... )
i always wondered if the part
i always wondered if the part about the concentration was true, so i did a test of my own. i'm 16 years old, i'm in high school and get straight as, i took an IQ test at school while all of my classmates were running around like maniacs at that point my IQ was 138, i could properly do better under other circumstances.
to the test. i played counterstrike 1,6 for about half an hour with and ending score of 35 kills and 19 deaths 15 headshots.
then i smoked a joint with 1 gram of 110' hash. i got pretty stoned. i sat and chilled for 7 mins before playing again.
after playing another 30 mins my ending score was 36 kills and only 6 deaths. i killed 10 people before my first death, and about 21 headshots.
but it wasnt on all levels my game got better. i only died if i had to react fast. if the enemy got behind my back i was almost always dead, but if i had just a few sec to aim i would always kill the opponent.
if your not high you sometimes get stressed out because you dont think you kill the other person fast enough, and then you die :P
you dont do that while high. you just grin at the other guy jumping around :)
im a senior in high school
im a senior in high school and ever since i started smoking pot i get straight A's.
i had anger problems and they come back wheen ever im not high, weed is good and good for you. its life changing try it!
mary jane
I did little mini experiments on myself.For instance, i smoked weed and ciggarettes everyday for three years(personal choice),and i drink caffeine pretty much everyday.I decided to see how hard it would be to quit them all for however long i decided.I wanted to smoke pot when i quit but that was it i didnt get headaches or mood swings i just wanted it but i held out.Ciggaretts gave me headaches and made me moody.Caffeine on the other hand, my headaches were so bad i couldnt go without it, i would have to get my fix in so to say,and maybe thats because ive been consuming caffeine since i was two or three who really knows.The only for sure thing is out of all those pot was the easiest to stop and yes i still smoke weed thou so i didnt quit for good but thats my take.
This is crap. I didn't do
This is crap. I didn't do marijuana at all until my 30's. And I developed some sort of illness. Fuck who knows what it is because the doctors can't even figure it out. Some say bipolar, some say schizophrenia. I don't hear voices really or see things. I have had some screwed up thought processes though, but you know what? Who doesn't. I was a peaceful little hobbit before the evil scientist put me in their rat cage and pumped me full of their wicked poisons. They gave me medications which made me worse. I traded one trivial illness for another more severe one. Now I am wracked with nerve pain and agitation instead of just being a happy little loon. Marijuana helps me. Fuck them and fuck their laws. They made me this way. They have only themselves to blame for this. I am suffering because of these doctors. I pray to God that the people who created these medicines will spend eternity in hell wracked with akathisia and tardive dyskinisia as satan shoots them in them ass with their poisons 24/7 for eternity. Let's see how they like it. They even say they don't have a clue how their medicines work. I am pretty sure the CIA uses them to induce akathisia on prinsoners to torture them. Marijuana is not that harmful and helps. You people need to stop with the bullshit and admit you don't have a fucking clue what you are doing and you are doing damage to people with your bullshit and your lies. Fuck you and fuck your medications I am happier being myself.
Well...
I can't muster up enough interest to care what ignorant people think about what me and my "community" do. I don't like posting on the internet commenting on others stupidity, but in this case those who smoke weed can't be thrown into a group because we are all vastly different. I know a lot of dumbasses, but you can't explain their shortcomings by throwing them in the "potheads" or the "Nons" category. I don't ask you to believe me when I say weed helped out my anger problems and shit, I could care less, all I want is to be left alone. Why can't we just follow the simple rule
1. Life is to be enjoyed
1a. Not at the expense of someone else
By the way, my IQ is 156, So i'm not some "Drugged Out" Pothead you fucking fools ;)
The Fuck?
Dude seriously get over yourself u twat, u dont need to judge the way people think and what people choose to say, seriously u need to look at the way you view yourself and think whether or not its the right way.
By the way no one gives a shit
i dont agree
i agree that some of your information is true, though i do not agree with some of your smart comments about marijuana smokers. like when you said the thing about how when a person smokes it takes there problems and stress away but when the person is done smoking it all comes back...that isn't true, yes people smoke to relieve stress though it is the person smoking who can make the choice to let there problems get to them. smoking weed doesnt take the problems away it just makes them more handable. yes your problems are still there but its you who chooses the way you look at it the way you feel about it and wether or not you choose marijuana for a scape goat its not the weeds fault its the person behind the weed!!! i think instead of pointing the finger at marijuana you should be pointing the finger at the people behind it, everyone is there own person who makes there own choices.
Wow
I'll bet 10 to 1, most of the people who defended marijuana either smokes or smoked it and most of the people who agreed with the article do not smoke it. This is all a matter of opinion. YES marijuana makes you feel good, of course it does if it didn't no one would smoke it and YES marijauna has negative side effects, ALL drugs have negative side effects, there is no perfect drug, whether or not you disregard that fact. It makes me laugh when people try to make the distinction between other drugs and marijuana, yea the side effects are different, yea the toxicity is different, yea the level of addiction is different, but all those differences are minute when you consider that ALL drugs chemically effect the brain. I love listening to the arguments that people use to justify the use of marijuana. "I work harder, I'm smarter, I get better grades, I am happier" yea but at what cost...
Fact marijuana is NOT a drug,
Fact marijuana is NOT a drug, its a plant.
All chemicals produced within Cannabis, is ALREADY found in human system.. so the chemicals are not unknown to the body.
I'm not saying their isnt a negative effect.
Plus try to imagine how many chemicals you withtake
in a 24-hour period? The world itself is made of chemicals, we're made of chemicals.
I'm tired of people from both sides argueing about Marijuana,
Using false accusations and just plain ignorance.
Eat the FACTS to all haters, and respect peoples choice to smoke it or not.
"Even if you are the minority of one, the truth is STILL the truth" - Gandhi
Ha
Just wait until you guys start talking to yourself :)
http://www.marijuana.com/surveys-polls-questions/70014-do-you-talk-yourself.html
It's all about character
Listen, folks, marijuana is no more, and almost certainly less, addictive than chocolate or fast food or any other crap that people consume these days. Caffeine, one of the most abused drugs on earth, is highly addictive and cause severe withdrawl symptoms after heavy usage. Alcohol and tobacco, along with the plethora of pharma drugs on the market today are made widely available to the public and do more harm on a daily basis than marijuana could do in a decade. Americans take certain drugs everyday without a second thought, but are so misinformed and brainwashed about other drugs it is mind boggling.
One main argument made on this board is that marijuana creates lazy, unmotivated people who want to do nothing but sit around and smoke pot all day long. First of all, marijuana creates nothing. You are the person you are because you make decisions throughout the day and your life that determines that. The guy who robs a bank does it because he chose to do it. The girl who sleeps with a different guy every night does it because she chooses to do it. The kid who doesn't do his schoolwork chooses not to do his schoolwork. Marijuana has no effect other than to bring out the person that you really are beneath the bullshit facade that you present to the world.
I first smoked marijuana in 8th grade, with off and on usage until college. I had excellent grades, made the honor roll, etc, etc. Also at this time I drank alcohol some weekends, but never got too deep into that either. Upon going to college, I began drinking heavily and seemingly all the time. My grades in college for the first year and a half were awful. I was put on academic probation, lost a scholarship, and nearly was kicked out of school. During my sophomore year, I began smoking marijuana on a regular basis, and decided that alcohol was the thing that was ruining my life. I severely cut back on drinking and began using marijuana on a daily basis. After that, my grades started to improve, I began actually doing the work I was assigned, and I generally became a friendlier, more compassionate person to those around me.
About a year ago, I took up running as a hobby. While I was always an athletic person, I never was a very good runner. Continuing to smoke pot, I began training for a marathon. During my training, I smoked about 99% of the days, usually multiple times a day. My grades in school were still improving, and this past May I ran in my first marathon. I finished in the top 25% of racers with a time of 3 hours and 50 minutes. Less than a week later, I graduated from college! I never stopped smoking pot. Now I'm training for another marathon, and am on pace to run a 3 hour and 15 minute one. Needless to say I'm pretty excited.
To conclude, nothing about marijuana makes people lazy or unmotivated, that behavior is already in them. Just because they are lazy to begin with doesn't mean it was the pot that did it. I know plenty of lazy non pot smokers. To anyone who thinks the opposite or knows someone they think has been negatively influenced by pot, give your friend/brother/whatever a pep talk. Some positive reinforcement just may help them get off their asses and do something good for themselves. And they don't even have to stop smoking.
i think i love you. i've
i think i love you. i've never met someone who can honestly speak about marijuana and know what they are talking about. hats off to you dude.
hats off.
Wake and Bake!!!
Okay, I've seen the people you are talking about. All of the them, from the daily smoker to the cocaine user and abuser. First off you can't compare marijuana with cocaine! Although they both come from a plant, you just can't compare the two! One is plucked straight off the tree and the other is processed to make it extremely potent! If you plucked and chewed the coca leaves straight off the tree the effect wouldn't be nearly as concentrated as if you took a line of pure powdered and "processed" cocaine! I've never been under the influence of cocaine, but once again, I've seen both first hand. I'm not knocking cocaine, but its just not comparable. If you really want to get into natural stuff, then talk about the poppy plant and all the opium substances that it can create when processed. Heroin and Morphine are just a couple of the drugs that are made from different process of the poppy plant, but neither of these three drugs can or should be compared to marijuana. Their not even in the same league, or in the same sport for that matter.
Second, Marijuana is damn near legal. I have a medical recommendation for depression and anxiety. My recommendation for Marijuana was made due to the fact that when I went to my physician he tried to prescribe me a narcotic that had benzo's in it! Benzo's are seriously addictive! Any one who knows about benzos has either found out through addiction of their own or a family member whom is medically depressed. If you stop taking benzo's you will crash HARD! It needs to be tapered down before getting off it, otherwise your depression and anxiety gets so bad you can go through temporary paralysis! That is why I didn't want the medicine they prescribed me. I've seen others around me go through it and its a scary deal. I'm no longer suffering form depression, but that's cause I have continued the use of Marijuana.
Third point... I've been ENJOYING Marijuana for about 10 years now and If you smoke it continually then you are an idiot! Smoking anything is gonna hurt you, especially if you don't take long breaks to allow your body to recover. I on the other hand hardly ever smoke it! I vaporize it and ingest it. Vaporizing is the only way that it is possible to inhale it and not get the major burning of the throat and lungs. Doctors recommend that if you are gonna use Marijuana as alternative medicine, then you should only vaporize it or ingest it.
Fourth point... I've ran marathons within the last two years! I've been vaporizing and ingesting marijuana for 10 years on a daily basis! Lazy people are lazy cause they have no passion to do anything. Period. It has nothing to do with the plant. I agree that when I've just vaporized a very minimal amount it slows my heart rate down to a very relaxing pace. That's why I vaporize right before a long run. In order to pace long distance runs you must relax and not over use your energy. I smoke before every run. Keep in mind that the marathons I've run have been 26.2 miles. I have the medals to prove it. So does Mr. Phelps for swimming!
Fifth point... I feel good all the time! Not just when I smoke! You said the cycle starts because people only feel good when they are high?! Who told you this?! HAHA! I have not vaporized or ingested it today... all day today, its nearly midnight and I still feel good! The truth is I haven't felt the depression or anxiety in quite some time. Maybe if I discontinue the prescription then the depression will return, but it would take at least a month to find out. The human body holds THC in the system for 30 days. The only down side for the 30 day cleansing is that if you need to get a new job and you smoke daily, you may not pass your test.... If your future employer tests for THC that is. Most don't test for THC due to the expenses. Its more money to test for THC. Employers know that hard chemical drugs will have a serious affect on work moral and productivity, therefore they test for Alcohol and hard drugs like meth and opium most of the time. I don't hate them for testing either. Nor do I hate the government or cops. I've actually been drug screened by my job the day after smoking marijuana. THC sticks to fatty cells and I don't have any, so I'm guessing either the test didn't check for Marijuana or I just don't have enough fatty cells for the THC to stay in my body for long periods of time.
SIXTH POINT, Marijuana is a plant. The poppy is a plant. Cocaine comes from a plant. Hops and barley are natural. These are all tagged as "drugs"... Yes alcohol is tagged as a drug. One which is 100 times more dangerous than marijuana. It can dehydrate your body, kill brain cells, poison you and kill you. It causes deadly accidents and DUI's are so hurtful to a persons future! Yet a glass of wine per night can help the heart. LOL! Wine is made of grapes, go figure! All these substances are tagged as "drugs", but only one can be taken straight off the plant without the need to process and make it stronger. That "drug" is marijuana!!!!!!!!!!! =D The worst that can happen from smoking too much is you'll get super hungry and/or will fall asleep. And when you wake up, no counterproductive hangover! Oh YEAH!!!! Lets celebrate the beautiful herbage that has been so good to all life on earth! Happy Vapor trails everyone!
Blueberry Kush is the best Indica I've ever picked up and thats the truth! ;)
phD Neuropharacology
I am a PhD student specializing in Neuropharmacology; I agree with some of the others in that you have stated a lot of misinformation. I could go on and speak of all the places you have gone wrong, instead, I will state my point in a concise way:
- look at the social issues and historical perspectives regarding various drug use: alcohal, marij., cocaine (eg, prohibition etc)
- resources you depend on for your info are bias (gov't sponsered studies effect outcome, and subsequent message conveyed to public--gov't--"war on drugs" etc)
I thank you
I loved reading this article only because I love learning my self.
you are right and wrong and right again.your info is correct on side effects but you haven't described and tested the differences between how Mari is grown, tended to, or the kind of plant it is. I don't get any of those effects. I smoke weed on a monthly or bi weekly basis and I hit BIG doses of it. Your right that the effect differs from how a person's body takes it though. I have a long term effect with it , I call it my aftermath. IT when I'm done being high but still have the calmness, quick-thinking, relaxed, confident, peace, and intelligence for 2 days or 2 weeks later. I had one bad effect my first time and that was that my lungs got weaker for a brief time. I've had a lung deficiency for a long time that prevented me from passing a point. then it got worse from my first time and my performance fell. then My lungs adapted by the second time 1 month in a half later and I could breath better, hold my breath longer, and push my self harder and longer before the bronchial tubes in my lungs try to break. I get better in everything the more I do this, but just even though I do something stupid I stay smart bout it. I never smoke to the point I lose my mind or perspectives of right and wrong. I stay myself. but thank you for teaching me the effects of Marijuana.
my life with marijuana
hi , i am a student and i love to take marijuana every minute of my life because it relaxe me and makes me much happier than as normal. In my opinion its a medicine for depression. Its effect is also for a fewer time then as of alcohol.In INDIA people take it as the devotional gift of GOD SHIVA.In INDIA there are many festival in wich it is used as the way to feel the god and to worship lord SHIVA.
I and my friends take it daily in a bulk but we are still joyfull,healthy as well as intelligent then other dumbs. I feel marijuana increases the concentration,i-q,precense of mind and hapiness if taken in a limit.After taking a high dose it makes a saturation point in your mind and the symptomes dont increase. Wherever its worship for me and a great way to timepass,enjoy,stay closer to friends,increasing friend ship.
hello frnd
hello man i'm agree with you .well i am from india and i'm wonder that you know about da load shiv. yea your are right in india it is like legal .quite enjoying place right over here .and when you came to india and you will mean this thing too....
i am also just like you ..
so nothng much to say ... just have fun and enjoy evry moment of life ..
Bud Wise Errrrr???
Anyone here who thinks Marijuana has all these beneficial elements is cracked in the head. I smoke weed, have done daily for the past 11 years. I have recently given up (2 months ago). The difference it makes from not doing it is incredible.
No concrete head in the morning, improved memory, weight loss (due to the lack of munchie cravings), no chronic up/down emotions and temper. I think you people clearly rely on Marijuana to get you through the day and you need to take a hard look at yourselves. Perhaps you think marijuana is doing all these great things for you because you cant actually remember doing them when you werent stoned! How can you say "I've smoked weed daily for 15 years and my grades are so much better". Well that would make sense seeing as you probably havent done any shcool work WITHOUT being stoned since 5th grade!
Hoenstly - I love a blunt as much as the next person, byut sorry guys you are kidding yourself If you think it isnt harmful.
????
I have smoked weed daily f
or 13 years. I have quit for 6 months,I do not see any difference. I have actually gained weight. It odd how it varies from person to person. I smoke no more then a gram a day.
Think what you want.
Yea man whatever you say, I still got 5 on it! Pot = Peace and comfort.
Judgemental
The key, just like anything else, is moderation. A little bit now and then wont produce any negative side effects in most people.
Speaking of most people, I think it's ignorant to take your own personal experience and think it applies to everyone else. Some people have no problems, some have a disproportionate amount.
There is also the placibo effect to consider. If you convince yourself that quitting is going to affect your life in some fantastic way, that is what is going to happen. Works the same for alcoholics. AA calls it the "pink cloud". They also convince themselves that if they have a single drink, there life will become completely out of there control, which is exactly what happens (don't get me started on AA brainwashing).
In most cases, a fat, stupid, lazy person will be the same with or without drugs or alcohol. Same goes double for motivated and intelligent people.
ur cracked
that's cause u did daily u damaged ur body without rest. think of weed as a workout in which ur muscles break then heal as stronger and harder muscles. but without rest u just have pain and no gain. no pain no rest no gain.
False Information
I would like to point out a few things about weed. It has NO ADDICTIVE CHEMICALS. Even for a chronic user it is not something they NEED to do, but simply crave. WEED DOES NOT RUIN LIVES, the user themselves do. I'm not saying going out and getting high all the time is a good thing. Neither is getting drunk. If everyone in the world had to either get high (from weed only) or get drunk (from alcohol), as far as feeling safe on the roads or anywhere I go, I would choose getting high. I'm not a chronic user. I use the substance responsibly and I have not dropped any goals in life I had before I started smoking. My grades actually improved slightly in school when I started and have not dropped since. I told myself before I started that I would never get into actual dangerous drugs like cocaine, heroin, ect. and I still have not been involved at all with them. Getting drunk from alcohol purely hinders a person physically and mentally. Getting high from weed simply distracts and SLIGHTLY, if at all, hinders them. If you have ever been drunk but oppose weed, you are being more than hypocritical. From what I have experienced personally from weed, these are the some of the effects while being high: My attention span is bad... I will not lie. My judgement actually IMPROVES slightly. (When I'm high I actually think things out more carefully). I laugh a lot as mentioned on this site. I do get paranoid sometimes (but I still KNOW that I am blazed and it's not something I get uncontrollable about). My reaction time is slower (but I know better to put myself in any type of situation that would require that even if I am high). These are some effects after the high goes away: My short term memory is SLIGHTLY less effective, but still more than enough for everyday life (after I stopped completely for a while I got it ALL back). That is it. Once the substance is completely out of your system, you are still the same person capable of doing anything and everything you could do before. Smoking is bad. Smoking ANYTHING is bad. If you took a blade of grass from your lawn and smoked it, it would actually be worse for you then weed. That's assuming you don't add chemicals to your lawn. If you injest weed (special brownies) it is actually HEALTHY, yes I said it, HEALTHY for you. You might ask how that is possible. Well, because weed is a plant that has natural chemicals in it... like every other natural plant on earth. I used to be a person that was slightly opposed to weed. I understand your ignorance. The only reason I tried it in the first place was because my ex and I broke up that day. I then realized and KNEW that it actually is not as bad as people BELIEVE it is. I say believe because if you think you know it is as bad as the common misconception of weed is, you are sadly mistaken. I'm not telling you I want you to go find some weed and start smoking it. No more than a person would tell someone to go get drunk for no reason at all. I am simply saying weed does not change you or the person you are. If people have problems in life and smoke weed, it is because the had the problem to begin with. I have had alcohol before but I do not drink but yet I smoke. If your wondering why then the only way you will REALLY know is if you try it yourself. But please stop trying to bring weed down unless you are completely opposed to alcohol or even tobacco. I have personally found weed to be more safe, effective, and enjoyable.
I stopped at the first
I stopped at the first sentence - craving a substance could be considered a symptom of having an addiction.
Yup
Hear hear. I completely agree with you. I consider myself a regular smoker and nothing bad has ever happened to me. I've never had a bad experience, never killed anyone, never attacked anyone, laughed my ass off and have had some of the best moments of my life while high. Like yourself my grades actually improved slightly. I much prefer to have a joint than a drink but that is my choice. In my opinion it's alot safer.
yup
i totally agree marijuana doesnt do anything bad it makes everything better competly better
Wake up, people
Let's see, it is scientifically proven that marijuana affects the brain. You do get a great high from it, but this is why you all don't want to admit that it has bad effects, as well. I can always tell when my son is smoking pot, because he has a personality change with it. He gets angry more easily, and becomes depressed. This is how the cycle begins, because you only feel good when you are high. And, these daily users on here who think it's not addictive, how about trying to quit for a week or two and see how you feel?? Why do you use it daily? Do you have to use something to make you feel good? Don't you feel good otherwise?? Do you have a cough?? Because if you think putting something in your lungs daily isn't hurting you, you are stupid and quite frankly making excuses. I am a nurse, i've tried pot before and it wasn't my thing. I've taken care of people who could hardly catch their breath--and all they did was "harmless" pot smoking on a daily basis. I do agree with the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. It was the only thing that helped my father as he died of cancer. But, come on people!!! I'm not being moral or judgemental, and it has nothing to do with the government. You have that addict mentality. You probably hate cops, hate the government, etc.. Your whole life is a lie. You have to lie because, sorry to say it, pot is not legal. The people that I know, including my son who struggles with it, are just lazy. They lose any motivation to do anything but smoke pot. And, doctors are the worst about drug addiction. This IS a drug. I am blown away at the stupidity of the person who said it wasn't!!! Just because it comes from the earth doesn't make it not a drug. Cocaine comes from the earth as well, and I can promise you many a person would argue that it is addictive. And I have taken care of many, many people who have had heart attacks, and very little heart muscle left, and have even died due to the use of cocaine. But, come on, it grows from a plant, doesn't it??? Grow up people. Stop making excuses just because you want to get high. Get high if you want, but don't be stupid enough to say it isn't a drug, and it isn't affecting you in anyway, and it isn't addictive. If it didn't effect you, you wouldn't use it, now would you????
ok..
Ive been smoking pot for about 2 years now almost everyday. and from experience im not addicted to it. when i first started out my grades were slipping then i stopped for about 4 months no problem. so Weed is not addictive. and as for a cough, i dont have one, i never have a cough and im never sick. and if you live in the United States you would know that they are talking about legalizing marijuana.
So stop saying "you hate cops,you hate the government" you dont know every person who smokes pot so stop being stereotypical. WEED IS NOT ADDICTIVE. realize it. Understand it. Know it.
Im fairly sure your son
Im fairly sure your son starts to act like that because you bitch and complain about him smoking a little harmless weed.
Also, yes cocain comes from a plant, BUT it also must be extensively chemically treated to become cocaine. Cannabis grows right out of the ground ready to smoke.
good grammatical use of the
good grammatical use of the word "effect". Most people don't know that it can be used as a verb in the negative sense. I know that's completely off topic, but I thought I'd compliment your grammar.
Oh ya, oh the flip side, I smoke weed, and I am not any less motivated. I still workout about 5 days a week for an hour to two hours a day. I am getting straight A's in the honors program at college. I know this is a personal story, and one person who commented said that everyone is just posting personal stories and that it is different for everyone, but then again, you also posted only from personal experience, with no statistics and citations. I know this issue must make you angry for obvious reasons, but no one is convinced in your message with an attitude like "grow up people". You catch more flies with honey, or in this case, skunk...
I am no Bob Marley fan or hippie, I'm actually just a normal guy. So chill out and do some real research before you make claims. That's why I'm not making any claims here. Ultimately, people will decide for themselves, and it will take a whole lot of government statistics to make them avoid pot, not an angry father. Peace.
Scientifically proven that marijuana affects the brain?
I would like to study some of the sources that you have read to develop such a perspective. I have researched the dangers of Marijuana for years and all the scientific evidence that supports your ludicrous claims was drawn from experiments that were performed under extreme and unrealistic circumstances. For Example. The experiments that were performed on monkeys in the 70's by Dr Robert Health, gave evidence to believe that Marijuana damages the brain. What the experiments didn't tell you was the methodology used to come to this conclusion. The monkeys that were "exposed" to marijuana, were fitted with gas masks that pumped up to the equivalent of 60 joints per day, and were actually starved of oxygen. This resulted in rapid brain damage from Hypoxia NOT from the marijuana.
I am a casual user of Marijuana and have never had cravings to get high. I have gone, weeks and months without smoking pot with absolutely no withdrawl symptoms. I smoke it because it gives you a new perspective and lets you see things clearer, helping you make the right decisions when problems arise.
I started smoking pot 4 years ago, when i was going through a very tough stage in my life and my emotions where constantly up and down. I was so lost and confused about my life and didn't know where I was going. Smoking pot helped me sort out a lot of things, gave me direction in life and developed my character to be calm and collective. It gave me drive to go see the world and to understand different people and cultures. Consequently, It has dramatically improved my relationships with people, especially my family.
It inspired me to start my college degree (which I am now completing my masters with perfect scores) and have recently been accepting in YALE University to complete further studies. I closely follow global issues, support the government and appreciate that we have people in society like cops that keep our country safe and under control.
Pot has introduced me to some of the most amazing people that have become my lifelong friends- who are all intellectuals and have the strongest drive and ambition.
I agree with you on the fact that people should not abuse the drug. Smoking in moderation is key. As mentioned in previous posts, smoking ANYTHING is harmful because all smoke contains tar which is collected in the lungs, and this is what causes cancer!
As for your son, he is probably dissatisfied with his life and is in search for direction. Give him an opportunity to do something new, explore the world and experience different cultures. This will open his mind and develop motivation... I guarantee you!
Wow.
Telling someone that their life is a lie just because they smoke marijuana is completely absurd and, quite frankly, just rude and ignorant. I have been smoking for about five years now -- not on a daily basis, but socially -- and I don't hate the government, nor do I have any hatred towards cops. I know many people that have smoked for far longer than I have and they don't feel that way, either. You're making a ridiculous assumption based on the fact that your son probably has those feelings. But to be honest, he probably feels that way because he's young, and naturally has the urge to rebel. His anger has to come from somewhere deeper than his marijuana use, because there are no studies that honestly say that smoking pot makes you violent or angrier than usual.
The people that you know that are "just lazy" are that way because they've chosen to be. That was their choice. And honestly, medically speaking, Marijuana is NOT physically addictive. I will agree that some people have that "addict mentality", but it's because of that mentality that they get addicted to smoking. They're mentally addicted to the feeling, not physically addicted to the plant.
Finally, you should know that is it completely ridiculous to compare cocaine with marijuana in any context, whether it be the use, the creation, or the side effects. Many people praise marijuana because it is, in fact, ENTIRELY natural. Cocaine has to be processed and made more potent. Do you see little bags of white powder growing from trees? No, I don't think so. The effects of marijuana use aren't even comparable to the destruction left behind by cocaine use.
At the end of the day, you have no room to talk. Yes, Marijuana IS technically a drug -- it alters your body in some way, just like aspirin, oxycodone, vicodin, and any other medication does. But you still treat patients with those substances, though they also have harmful side effects. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but as a nurse, you should know the real truth behind these substances rather than believing everything that you've been told and basing everyone else's experiences off of your son's INDIVIDUAL choices.