Marijuana and it's negative effects

Robin · #1 03-01-2002, 03:24 AM

Ok the reason i put this topic was because i have noticed alot of discussion of marijuana so i hope what i say will change you opinion on marijuana, espically hope Danny and Syd read thid i know how they are big fans of Marijuana.

Some immediate physical effects of marijuana include a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. No scientific evidence indicates that marijuana improves hearing, eyesight, and skin sensitivity. Studies of marijuana's mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination, such as driving a car or operating machinery.

Long term regular users of marijuana may become psychologically dependent. They may have a hard time limiting their use, they may need more of the drug to get the same effect, and they may develop problems with their jobs and personal relationships. The drug can become the most important aspect of their lives.

One major concern about marijuana is its possible effects on young people as they grow up. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the more likely they are to go on to experiment with other drugs. In addition, when young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest and are not motivated to do their schoolwork. The effects of marijuana can interfere with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, and verbal and mathematical skills. Research shows that students do not remember what they have learned when they are "high".

Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may result in premature babies and in low birth weights. Studies of men and women may have a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence, a period of rapid physical and sexual development.

Marijuana use increases the heart rate as much as 50 percent, depending on the amount of THC. It can cause chest pain in people who have a poor blood supply to the heart - and it produces these effects more rapidly than tobacco smoke does.

Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the way they work. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients in tobacco smoke that can cause emphysema and cancer. In addition, many marijuana users also smoke cigarettes, the combined effects of smoking these two substances creates an increased health risk.

Marijuana smoke has been found to contain more cancer causing agents than is found in tobacco smoke. Examination of human lung tissue that had been exposed to marijuana smoke over a long period of time in a laboratory showed cellular changes called metaplasia that are considered precancerous. In laboratory test, the tars from marijuana smoke have produced tumors when applied to animal skin. These studies suggest that it is likely that marijuana may cause cancer if used for a number of years.

When marijuana is smoked, THC, its active ingredient, is absorbed by most tissues and organs in the body, however, it is primarily found in fat tissues. The body, in its attempt to rid itself of the foreign chemical, chemically transforms the THC into metabolites. Urine tests can detect THC metabolites for up to a week after people have smoked marijuana. Tests involving radioactively labeled THC have traced these metabolites in animals for up to a month.

All this information proves thay yes it can cause lung cancer and yes it has many harmful effects, so please don't waste your time telling me that it is harmless.

ODDBODD · #2 03-01-2002, 09:12 AM

ok this is a bit off-topic from the off-topic topic but aren't you like supposed to leave.. you know with the whole "I'll leave if ya want me to"??? Im a bit confuzzled..

Teal · #3 03-01-2002, 11:55 AM

Who said it was harmless? Anything causes harm if taken to excess.

I think that, compared to all the hard drugs out there, cannabis is a comparatively "safe" drug, and yes, it does have its medical uses (although there are better drugs with fewer side-effects available).

I'd recommend that people go to the New Scientist Special Report pages.

Danny · #4 03-01-2002, 10:23 PM

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Originally posted by Robin
Ok the reason i put this topic was because i have noticed alot of discussion of marijuana so i hope what i say will change you opinion on marijuana, espically hope Danny and Syd read thid i know how they are big fans of Marijuana.

Some immediate physical effects of marijuana include a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. No scientific evidence indicates that marijuana improves hearing, eyesight, and skin sensitivity. Studies of marijuana's mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination, such as driving a car or operating machinery.

I think you're missing the point. Much of this is the whole reason for taking it...

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Long term regular users of marijuana may become psychologically dependent. They may have a hard time limiting their use, they may need more of the drug to get the same effect, and they may develop problems with their jobs and personal relationships. The drug can become the most important aspect of their lives.

Again, there is no evidence for this. I know many cannabis users, and not one of them is an addict.

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One major concern about marijuana is its possible effects on young people as they grow up. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the more likely they are to go on to experiment with other drugs.

This was recently disproven. Whereas the majority of Heroin users (for example) have used cannabis, the majority of cannabis users do not go on to any other drug. Besides, the majority of Heroin users have also taken Bread at some point in their lives, so does that make Bread the "Gateway Drug"? Recent studies show that Tobacco users are far more likely to go on to harder substances than Cannabis users.

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In addition, when young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest and are not motivated to do their schoolwork.

Again, where's your evidence? I use cannabis and, not to boast or anything, but I got the sixth highest GCSE results in my school...

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The effects of marijuana can interfere with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, and verbal and mathematical skills. Research shows that students do not remember what they have learned when they are "high".

It is an idiotic student who does his revising while stoned...

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Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may result in premature babies and in low birth weights. Studies of men and women may have a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence, a period of rapid physical and sexual development.

This is true. However, Cannabis is far less of a risk under these conditions than Tobacco, or even Alcohol. If it comes down to it, even Paracetamol can cause damage to unborn children.

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Marijuana use increases the heart rate as much as 50 percent, depending on the amount of THC. It can cause chest pain in people who have a poor blood supply to the heart - and it produces these effects more rapidly than tobacco smoke does.

Again, this is mainly a short-term effect, causing no permanent damage. And again, this is a special case, since people with such heart conditions are by far in the minority.

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Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the way they work.

The vagueness of this is a hint as to its inaccuracy.

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Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients in tobacco smoke that can cause emphysema and cancer. In addition, many marijuana users also smoke cigarettes, the combined effects of smoking these two substances creates an increased health risk.

I personally do not smoke Tobacco, and nor do any of the other Cannabis Users I know. What do you take me for?

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Marijuana smoke has been found to contain more cancer causing agents than is found in tobacco smoke. Examination of human lung tissue that had been exposed to marijuana smoke over a long period of time in a laboratory showed cellular changes called metaplasia that are considered precancerous. In laboratory test, the tars from marijuana smoke have produced tumors when applied to animal skin. These studies suggest that it is likely that marijuana may cause cancer if used for a number of years.

For an explanation of this, see what I posted under the "Drink and Drugs" topic. Basically these tests are far from conclusive, and are extremely selective with the truth...

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When marijuana is smoked, THC, its active ingredient, is absorbed by most tissues and organs in the body, however, it is primarily found in fat tissues. The body, in its attempt to rid itself of the foreign chemical, chemically transforms the THC into metabolites. Urine tests can detect THC metabolites for up to a week after people have smoked marijuana.

Ther figure I heard was 30 days, but who's counting?

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All this information proves thay yes it can cause lung cancer and yes it has many harmful effects, so please don't waste your time telling me that it is harmless.

Nobody claims it's harmless, it's just that its detrimental effects are all more or less short-term. There is no conclusive evidence of Long-Term damage.

[BTW, Abby, I've tried searching on that New Scientist page, but I can't seem to find anything that actually lists its proven effects. I don't suppose you know if there is anywhere in particular I could go on there to find out? I've searched on the net, but all I can seem to find are conflicting reports saying things like "Research suggest that" and "There is evidence to show that", but nothing concrete...]

Majic · #5 03-01-2002, 10:37 PM

well, i will safely say im never going to do drugs, like i would ever want to. addicts can be bad, not to mention it would cost money. i have beter things to do, like go watch tv. well, no one can deny its a good idea to take drugs, any kind, unles strictly for medical purposes.

Robin · #6 03-02-2002, 01:02 AM

Ok Danny it's obvious that you truely believe that smoking marijuana does not cause that much damage to your body, which is why i won't bother looking up anymore Information on the topic cause it seems all you do is, hide behind cigarettes, and alchole and saying "but look how bad they are compared to marijuana", and your concern for the short time effects on smoking marijuana seems minimal. If i were to put a topic one day saying " Man's brain shriveled by marijuana" you would most likely replying something like " that's one out of millions of people" which would actual be true but that would'nt worry you at all would it?

Honestly i think the only reason you smoke marijuana is because most of your friends do and you don't want to feel like the black sheep, which is fine there are alot of people egsactly the same as you. And yes you are right i can't seem to prove the long time effects on smoking marijuana either, but what if one day a scientist did would that change your mind?

Danny · #7 03-02-2002, 01:17 AM

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Originally posted by Robin
Ok Danny it's obvious that you truely believe that smoking marijuana does not cause that much damage to your body, which is why i won't bother looking up anymore Information on the topic cause it seems all you do is, hide behind cigarettes, and alchole and saying "but look how bad they are compared to marijuana", and your concern for the short time effects on smoking marijuana seems minimal.

Yes, you're right, I have no concern whatsoever about short-term effects. No reason to patronise me like that...

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If i were to put a topic one day saying " Man's brain shriveled by marijuana" you would most likely replying something like " that's one out of millions of people" which would actual be true but that would'nt worry you at all would it?

That is an absurd metaphor. For a start, no such article has appeared, or looks likely to appear. All that has been shown so far are vague hints that it might have this effect, or that effect, but nothing has ever been sufficiently proven, and scientists seem to change their opinion almost as fast as Fashion...

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Honestly i think the only reason you smoke marijuana is because most of your friends do and you don't want to feel like the black sheep, which is fine there are alot of people egsactly the same as you.

What possible basis do you have to think that? You have never met me. You have no idea of how often, or in what situations, I smoke. You do not know anything about me or my friends. This statement was purely intended to provoke...

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And yes you are right i can't seem to prove the long time effects on smoking marijuana either, but what if one day a scientist did would that change your mind?

Of course it would; I'm not stupid. What difference does that make, though?

Sl'askia · #8 03-02-2002, 01:18 AM

Dan is already the 'black sheep' from what I can tell...so it wouldn't matter.

Majic · #9 03-02-2002, 01:22 AM

drugs and such do mess with your personaltiy and how you think, even ify you dont know it. and in the case wehre you stated we dotn know how often you smoke and such, that really shows that we dont know how often it may be, if you are on drugs and in denial then how could we really trust you, or you trust yourself. reather thought provoking, but i have noticedthroughout my time here you have started becoming increasingly aggresive, or it seems. could soemtihng liek this eeven be the cause of your emotions and the way you think. and no, i am not trying to provoke you. just trying to make you think about what the truth is.

Sl'askia · #10 03-02-2002, 01:24 AM

Dan has always been 'aggresive' in debates. He lives for the debate...its how he is. That's Dan for ya

Danny · #11 03-02-2002, 01:26 AM

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Originally posted by Majic_Abe
drugs and such do mess with your personaltiy and how you think, even ify you dont know it. and in the case wehre you stated we dotn know how often you smoke and such, that really shows that we dont know how often it may be, if you are on drugs and in denial then how could we really trust you, or you trust yourself. reather thought provoking, but i have noticedthroughout my time here you have started becoming increasingly aggresive, or it seems. could soemtihng liek this eeven be the cause of your emotions and the way you think. and no, i am not trying to provoke you. just trying to make you think about what the truth is.

Don't Patronise me... It's not a good idea... As you may have noticed, I'm not in the best of moods tonight...

Robin · #12 03-02-2002, 01:27 AM

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Originally posted by Danny
Q:Yes, you're right, I have no concern whatsoever about short-term effects. No reason to patronise me like that...

A:Sorry if it seems if i'm patronising you, trust me they were not my intensions, i think you may be taking this a little to personally.

Q:That is an absurd metaphor. For a start, no such article has appeared, or looks likely to appear. All that has been shown so far are vague hints that it might have this effect, or that effect, but nothing has ever been sufficiently proven, and scientists seem to change their opinion almost as fast as Fashion...

A:I ment that hypothetically, and the reason scientist change there opinion as fast as fashion is because they are constantly learning more and more about the drug.

Q:What possible basis do you have to think that? You have never met me. You have no idea of how often, or in what situations, I smoke. You do not know anything about me or my friends. This statement was purely intended to provoke...

A:I had no intension on provoking you, but do you want to prove me wrong and tell me why?

Q:Of course it would; I'm not stupid. What difference does that make, though?

A:It would'nt make a difference if you agreed to it.

Danny · #13 03-02-2002, 01:32 AM

Okay, phew, now that I've gathered that you are trying to ask me why I smoke cannabis, I will answer:

It helps me to relax, I find it fun, and It's cheaper than Beer...

As for the "Scientists are discovering more and more about the drug", thing, have you noticed how a lot of what they have been discovering recently contradicts things they've said before? That's because of the sheer variety and unreliability of these sorts of laboratory tests. How can we know what to believe and what not to believe?

Sl'askia · #14 03-02-2002, 01:37 AM

Kind of like studies of certain food products...one min they say its bad for you...then the next is good for you...and then its bad for you again..UGH! *pulls on her mohawk* One reason I usually don't pay much attention to the scientific studies...so confusing...

Robin · #15 03-02-2002, 01:41 AM

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Originally posted by Danny
Okay, phew, now that I've gathered that you are trying to ask me why I smoke cannabis, I will answer:

It helps me to relax, I find it fun, and It's cheaper than Beer...

Cheaper than beer? Is'nt weed like 20 bucks for like 3 grams? for 20 bucks you can get a 6 pack of beer.

Danny · #16 03-02-2002, 01:47 AM

I don't know Hash weights in metric... hang on a second...

Okay, I get 1/4 of an ounce for £12.50. That's less than one gram. So yes, you can get more beer for that money (about 12 cans of decent beer), but on the other hand, a quarter of hash will last a lot longer than 12 cans of beer...

Sydney · #17 03-02-2002, 01:48 AM

If you have friends who grow plentiful quantities of marijuana then it's free!

Majic · #18 03-02-2002, 01:57 AM

the time length lasts considerably different amounts judging by who it is. but what people need to realize is that drugs shouldnt be used to tranquilize yourself, or at least tihngs liek weed and cigs and such. docters and such can prescribe medicines and things to help. and if you need to use at least smal quantities of drugs to stay sane every day, then its going to lead up more and more to where you have to take larger does and in the end it wont be worth it when your sick and addicted.and if it is so bad that you need them to stay calm and tranquil then you obviously started long enough back, just think why you started in the first place. no matter what you may tell yoruself, what you do is still dangerous and unnecessary. but if you really do need it daily or just to calm yourself, then obviously try to get help for yourself, you dont want to become an addict. because that can happen no matter what you say, its for your own safety.

Robin · #19 03-02-2002, 02:43 AM

One last thing, do you parents know you smoke marijuana, if yes what do they think and if no why not? This question is for Syd and Danny, also Oddbodd i know you would of voted me off.

ODDBODD · #20 03-02-2002, 03:46 AM

THIS IS A BIT OFF THIS TOPIC ASWELL BUT DO ANY OF YOUSE "SMAK THE BITCH UP" OR SMOKE?

Gluk Schmuck · #21 03-02-2002, 10:38 AM

I don't smoke anything but what does 'smack the bitch up' mean?

Statikk HDM · #22 03-02-2002, 11:56 AM

Yeah well, my teacher says one joint is as bas as twenty cigarettes. i've always wondered "Ware are the results". Plus who chain smokes weed?!?! Most people just pass it around. Even if you just smoke alone, 1 or 2 is all you need right? The teech also said that you don't know the potency of the drug so you don't know the caliber of the "high" again, how is this relevant? Also, he said marijauna could be "laced" with drugs, that wouldn't be a prob if you bought from an honest guy or grew your own. The only reason it is banned is not because it is dangerous, but because it was shown to be very useful and a threat to the paper making and cigarette industry. You can make 5 acres worth of paper from wood pulp with 1 acre of hemp. It is a pain reliever,> you can make oil and cloth and rope from it. Basically, hemp was demonized to protect the bottom dollar. If you don't believe me two words:Reefer Madness

PinkHaired Mudokon CWR · #23 03-02-2002, 12:01 PM

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Originally posted by Gluk Schmuck
I don't smoke anything but what does 'smack the bitch up' mean?

You don't know what that mean!? DO you know what a nickle bag means? A 40?

Whistling kettle · #24 03-02-2002, 12:03 PM

I don't smoke and I think I 'never' will. The same about any kind of drugs..

ODDBODD · #25 03-03-2002, 10:27 AM

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Originally posted by PinkHaired Mudokon CWR
You don't know what that mean!? DO you know what a nickle bag means? A 40?

lol Pinky on msn you were right.

Gluk Schmuck · #26 03-03-2002, 10:49 AM

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Originally posted by PinkHaired Mudokon CWR
You don't know what that mean!? DO you know what a nickle bag means? A 40?

Why else would I ask?
Is it a bag full of nickles?
It's an interger larger than 39 and less than 41.

ODDBODD · #27 03-03-2002, 11:02 AM

man you needa get out more..

Danny · #28 03-03-2002, 07:00 PM

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Originally posted by Majic_Abe
the time length lasts considerably different amounts judging by who it is. but what people need to realize is that drugs shouldnt be used to tranquilize yourself, or at least tihngs liek weed and cigs and such. docters and such can prescribe medicines and things to help. and if you need to use at least smal quantities of drugs to stay sane every day, then its going to lead up more and more to where you have to take larger does and in the end it wont be worth it when your sick and addicted.and if it is so bad that you need them to stay calm and tranquil then you obviously started long enough back, just think why you started in the first place. no matter what you may tell yoruself, what you do is still dangerous and unnecessary. but if you really do need it daily or just to calm yourself, then obviously try to get help for yourself, you dont want to become an addict. because that can happen no matter what you say, its for your own safety.

Well, actually, Cannabis is not addictive, and does not cause tolerance. What you said is true for other drugs, though...

[quote]Originally posted by Robin:
One last thing, do you parents know you smoke marijuana, if yes what do they think and if no why not?Yes, my mother knows. She has no problem with it - she says as long as I do it indoors, so there's less danger of being arrested or anything (she's paranoid about that sort of thing), then it's okay. She smokes it herself as well, anyway.

BTW, sorry for blowing up at you on Friday, Robin. I was in a bad mood as a result of everyone on the forums deciding to have an argument with me at once (or so it felt). I know you were probably only trying to help, I hope you didn't take it personally, and I hope it won't happen again.

Disgruntled Intern · #29 03-03-2002, 07:30 PM

I would also like to know what
'smack the bitch up' means.
Around here, a '40' is a 40 oz bottle of beer.

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Originally posted by Sydney
If you have friends who grow plentiful quantities of marijuana then it's free!

AMEN TO THAT SYD!

Robin · #30 03-04-2002, 01:38 AM

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Originally posted by Danny
Well, actually, Cannabis is not addictive, and does not cause tolerance. What you said is true for other drugs, though...

BTW, sorry for blowing up at you on Friday, Robin. I was in a bad mood as a result of everyone on the forums deciding to have an argument with me at once (or so it felt). I know you were probably only trying to help, I hope you didn't take it personally, and I hope it won't happen again.

That's ok all of us get mad once in a while. Anyway i have got some more information for you to read up on so here it is, firsty have you heard of this saying?

"Marijuana addicts, in particular, tend to believe that they must be "ok" since there are much worse drugs, and other people whose lives are much worse off as a result of their using. That is denial. "

People who have smoked marijuana daily for many years display more aggressive behavior when they stop smoking the drug according to a study the researchers at Harvard Medical School. Is further evidence that a withdrawal syndrome is associated with abstinence from long term marijuana use, and suggests that aggressive behavior is part of this syndrome.

Most of the studies that have been published on marijuana withdrawal symptoms in people have relied on self report says Dr. Elena Kouri, lead author of the paper. In these studies, long erm marijuana users report that they feel irritable when they are abstaining from marijuana use, but these studies generally do not involve measurements of aggressive behavior to verify these self-reports. In our study, we demonstrated that long-term marijuana users do, indeed, exhibit more aggressive behavior during the first week of abstinence, and that this aggressive behavior can be measured.

Marijuana causes many mental disorders, including acute toxic psychosis, panic attacks, flashbacks, delusions, depersonalization, hallucinations, paranoia, depression and uncontrollable feelings of aggression.

Based on research by of Dr. Richard Schwartz, Vienna Pediatrics Associates in Pediatric Clinics of North America.

People who have used cannabis on its own, without simultaneous consumption of other substances, have frequently died in connection with impulsive and unforeseen acts of violence. The predominant form of death is suicide.

Rajs, Prof. Jovan Dept. Of Forensic Med. Stockholm, Fugelstad, Anna, Psychologist, Psychiatric Dependency Clinic, St. Gorans Hosp., Stockholm. 28/11/1994

In terms of life-time use, marijuana was reported to be the most common illicit drug used by a sample of 268 murderers incarcerated in New York State correctional facilities. About 25% of prisoners who has used marijuana, had used it in the 24 hour period before the homicide, and 3/4 of those said they experienced some kind of effect from the drug when the homicide occurred.

THC does not appear to be cancer causing, but smoking releases other chemicals such as carbon monoxide and cyanide and also, a known carcinogen, benzopyrene. Benzopyrene is found in cigarette smoke, but appears to be greater in marijuana smoke. Head and neck cancers.

Cases of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, tongue, larynx, jaw, head, neck, and lungs have been reported in young marijuana smokers that would not occur in tobacco smokers until much later in life.

Three days or more after smoking marijuana, PET scans of chronic marijuana users show decreased metabolic activity in the brain, especially in the cerebellum, a part of the brain involved with motor coordination, learning, and memory.

This decreased brain activity helps explain persistent defects in mental function and the increased motor vehicle accidents observed in marijuana users. Marijuana impairs perception, judgment, thinking, memory, and learning. Memory defects may persist six weeks after last use.

Also will you have noticed i have added some scientist name just to prove to you what i'm saying is true.