Consuming or smoking marijuana can affect the user’s body and mind. The side effects can range from the innocuous such as increased appetite, to life-threatening ones like lung cancer. Driving after marijuana intake can be harmful. Research reveals that 6% to 11% of fatal accidents occur due to marijuana side effects. There can also be social problems such as troubles at home, and financial, work and legal issues.
Psychological Side Effects
Marijuana can be smoked and also consumed in tea. Oral intake most often leads to overdose as it is much easier to consume large amounts. Marijuana overdose can lead to loss of self-identity, delusions and hallucinations.
Physical Side Effects
The physical side effects of marijuana use include deteriorating physical ability and breathing problems. Marijuana increases the breathing and heart rates. This taxes the body and hastens the aging process. The body’s extra exertion increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks and lung cancer.
Marijuana’s Impact on the Brain
Marijuana can also affect the brain if used regularly. The drug alters the brain’s natural chemical balance, disrupting the regulatory systems and pleasure centers. Marijuana affects memory, learning skills and the ability to adapt fast to changes. Depression is another notable side effect. The user feels like smoking more marijuana to combat the depression. As a result they get sucked into a vicious cycle of addiction and find that they cannot stop smoking marijuana even if they desperately want to.
Marijuana Addiction
Addiction to marijuana increases progressively and users find they are thinking about the drug all the time. Addiction can be defined as an uncontrollable, compulsive desire for marijuana, despite being aware of the negative consequences. Users may want to stop using marijuana before important schedules such as a court hearing or job interview. But, because of their addiction, they may smoke marijuana close to the event. Therefore, marijuana addiction can even affect will power and self-control.
