Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs all over the world, especially in the western countries. It is a greenish-brown mixture of dried, ground leaves, flowers, and stems of a plant known as Cannabis sativa. It is mostly used as a recreational drug for medical treatments and spiritual causes. It contains a high THC concentration such that once it is inhaled, it reaches from the lungs to the bloodstream of your body and gradually to other parts of the body. It causes a euphoric experience to the users and certain parts of the Brain that are responsible for memory, senses, coordination, and perception of time gets affected due to Marijuana.

Symptoms of Marijuana abuse:

Short-term effect:

Marijuana is mostly used because of its ‘high’ feeling that makes a person feel more at ease. It also affects your brain. Once a person inhales marijuana, it reaches the brain and the high THC content acts on various brain cell receptors. This, in return results in changing one’s mood, having difficulty in thinking, impairs judgment and memory, may lead to difficulty in movement and much more.

Long term effect:

Smoking marijuana for indefinite time can lead to various breathing problems such as excess mucus, bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis and much more. The high THC content affects the cannabis receptors and hence affecting the development of the brain. It is mostly seen among adolescents who smoke marijuana regularly suffer from slow brain development. The IQ level decreases, they have problems to provide even moderate attention, they have academic problems, and suffer from verbal memory impairment. During a study in 2014, The Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on Brain Structure, around 75 per cent of adolescents were diagnosed to have found the loss of gray matter in their brain that is responsible for emotions, thinking and motivation.

Psychosis effect:

Using marijuana for long period of time such as more than five to ten years can lead to a lot of psychosis problems such as paranoia, disorient thinking, delusions, and hallucinations. It has a huge risk for cognitive deficits and psychosis. Even though medical experts have stated that after 48-72 hours of last use, the effects will resolve but long-time users may still go through the after-effects. There are also cases where long-time marijuana smokers suffer from schizophrenia, a very severe condition of mental disorder.

Can Marijuana be Addictive?

Yes, marijuana can be addictive and according to many studies and researches, about 40-50 percent of marijuana smokers is solely dependent on it. People who start smoking at a very young age such as between the ages of 15-18 have up to 10 times more dependency on marijuana than adults. Once a person becomes addicted to marijuana, it becomes difficult for him or her to stop it. The person suffers from various family, relationship and school problems and this condition can lead to a severe eating disorder such as bulimia.

Is Marijuana Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Due to its high THC content, marijuana poses a high risk to both the mother and the baby. When women who are regular marijuana smokers gets pregnant, their baby suffers from decreases weight, breathing problems, low development of brain and body, behavioral problems and much more. Even during breastfeeding, if the mother is consumed with marijuana, the milk is harmful to the baby.

Closing Line

The appeal of marijuana is increasing day by day and is on the rise among the adolescents. Medical experts have stated their concerns about both the long-term and short-term effects of marijuana and how it will affect the development of our young generation and the huge impact it will have on our society. Even though many countries are advocating the voice to legalize marijuana, it is our first priority to understand its negative effects and how it will harm our society. But my legalizing marijuana, we might do a great disservice to our younger generation.

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