Effects of Marijuana Exploratory Essays Research P

It can cause symptoms like loss of appetite, excessive thirst with increased urination, abnormally low body temperature, uncontrolled anger or aggression. Interestingly, marijuana users experience increased appetite without excessive urination or changes in body temperature but still feel thirsty like runners and regular smokers do. Alcoholics and patients in hospitals also experience similar thirst levels.

Smoking marijuana generally induces feelings of laziness, calmness, and drowsiness unlike alcoholics who display erratic behavior and hyperactivity. The only time marijuana abusers might become angry or aggressive is if they cannot afford to buy marijuana.Lastly, stroke or apoplexy is a brain disorder that occurs when a major brain artery becomes blocked. There are multiple causes of blockage in blood vessels, including blood clots, compression, and rupture with bleeding. Smoking marijuana has been linked to five reported cases of blood clot development. Among these cases, three individuals were heavy alcohol consumers while the other two were regular marijuana smokers who developed tumors after daily use for thirty-one years. Each person consumed approximately 22,630 joints of marijuana. In comparison, alcoholics tend to develop tumors within fifteen years, half the time it took for the marijuana smokers. While marijuana does not directly cause brain damage, it can impact its functioning by affecting perception of time, distance and speed and disrupting motor coordination leading to unsteady hands and gait. Other effects include uncontrollable laughter, delays between thought and facial expressions, potential disruptions in sexual functions and deterioration of short-term memory. Initial stages of marijuana use may result in nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as well as redness in eyes and facial skin. Dilated pupils sensitive to light along with increased appetite and dryness in mouth

and throat are also commonly experienced during a high. All these effects occur due to changes in deep control centers within the brain that are separate from conscious thought processesThe deep relay centers in the brain are responsible for transmitting information to the mechanisms that control consciousness. When marijuana disrupts these control centers, it can lead to disorienting changes in the mind. These changes include impaired coordination, illusions, hallucinations, difficulty with memory recall, slowed thinking, and a limited attention span.

Marijuana use can also cause depersonalization, feelings of euphoria or depression, drowsiness or insomnia, challenges in accurately assessing oneself, impaired judgment, as well as mental and physical lethargy. A research study conducted over six to nine years in Maryland observed thought disorders among marijuana addicts from various settings such as high schools, universities, prisons and drug programs. These thought disorders were defined as cannabis syndrome - an overall decline in motivation.

Interestingly enough, the marijuana addicts were unaware of these effects until they stopped using the drug for seven to nine weeks and regained their sense of motivation. In 1972, Dr. Heath and other doctors conducted a study that found alterations in brain wave patterns within the septal region due to THC - the active compound found in marijuana. THC interacts with cell membranes' fatty structures while accumulating at the fat interface and restructuring the lipid film.The specialized structure of the cell surface is achieved through membrane remodeling, without destroying them. Unlike brain cells or cell membranes, which cannot regenerate once destroyed, marijuana smoking only causes damage to brain cells and cell membranes. However, if a marijuana smoker stops using, the damaged cells will repair themselves. Alcohol

consumption, on the other hand, results in brain cell destruction and a decrease in cell count. Therefore, smoking marijuana poses less risk in this aspect. Marijuana's impact on the brain is also associated with tolerance and dependence effects. Tolerance refers to a gradual decrease in sensitivity to THC's effects observed in regular marijuana users who develop tolerance at varying rates for different effects. Frequent users experience fewer changes in mood, cognitive function, and physiological impacts per dose compared to less experienced users. While regular use of high doses can lead to mild physical dependence, psychological dependence can occur if cannabis use causes significant life problems for the user, making it difficult for them to quit using it.
It is important to note that there have been documented cases of deaths from alcohol overdose but no reported instances of death from a marijuana overdose. Researchers believe that an extremely large amount of marijuana would be required for a fatal overdose. Dating back around 3000 B.C., historically marijuana was used as folk medicine in Central Asia and ChinaFrom the 1400s to the 1800s, marijuana served as an energizing agent and brought a sense of rejuvenation and vitality when consumed or smoked. Its use increased among slaves and mine workers, helping them complete tasks more quickly and leading to its popularity in those communities. However, in the 1900s, it became popular for recreational purposes. During the 1960s-70s, it gained significant popularity among students and became the second most popular drug after alcohol.

Despite being widely used, marijuana is not physically addictive and does not cause physical withdrawal symptoms. However, it may lead to psychological dependence. Medical research has found no

evidence of brain damage resulting from smoking marijuana.

Growing up in metropolitan Detroit, I have personally witnessed my friends abusing drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Based on these experiences and seeing positive outcomes in countries like Amsterdam and India where marijuana is legalized, I believe that legalizing marijuana and other drugs would benefit our country. These countries have not encountered significant issues related to crime or drug activity following legalization.

Currently, around 75% of crime activity in the United States is drug-related. Legalizing marijuana could potentially decrease this percentage. Sometimes I question whether my age affects my viewpoint on this matter; as I gain more understanding about life and education, my opinions may change.However, I currently endorse the concept of legalizing marijuana.