Long Term Effects Of Marijuana

Marijuana is a dry buds that have been shredded from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The dried plant is smoked as a cigarette normally called a joint or a spliff or cut up and placed in a pipe. Marijuana has an active chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, this chemical binds to membranes of nerve cells in the brain and triggers a cellular hyper reaction that results in what is known as the ‘high’ of smoking marijuana. The long term effects of Marijuana are very evident on the brain, lungs and heart of the user with very damning effects.

Long term effects of Marijuana on the Brain: When smoked marijuana is quickly absorbed in the blood stream through the lungs which carries the chemical compounds to the organs in the body and lead to a major effect on several parts of the brain. The parts of the brain that are most affected are those that have cannabinoid receptors. These parts of the brain affect pleasure, memory and senses. The long term effects lead to difficulty in memory and perception, loss of coordination and an increased heart rate. These are part of the short term effects however they persist into the long term effects. Poor problem solving skills lead to poor perceptions and loss of coordination.

Effects on the Heart from Marijuana Use: OMarijuana use directly affects the blood pressure of the user. This means that lower blood pressure leads to less bllod than is needed is being sent to the vital organs. This can be detrimental to the users heart and can lead to a heart attack. The blood also carries oxygen and the use of marijuana reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood and this can also have very stark effects on the brain. The sustained use of marijuana will lead to the threat of heart attack a reality.

Long term Effects on the Lungs of marijuana use: Marijuana smokers have long term effects such as excess phlegm in the lungs, smokers cough, the likelihood of chest illness, risk of lung infections and the risk of more acute chest illness. The most damning effect is lung cancer. Marijuana promotes cancer and has more of than 50% the hydrocarbons that tobacco has. Though cancer is higher in those that smoke tobacco, difference is based on frequency number of users.

Marijuana also leads to problems with the immune system as long term exposure to the use of THC has adverse effects on the ability of the human body to fight even the most simple bacteria. This can lead to a very chronic effect.