The consumption of Marijuana and its adverse effects has sparked serious debates among health practitioners, consumers and authorities. But does the use of cannabis cause brain damage?
Cannabis is deemed illegal in 80% of the countries in the world, and anyone who possesses such substance is liable to imprisonment or a fine. However, in some jurisdictions, the penalties have been lessened for the possession of small quantities of weed.
Marijuana is largely illegal due to its effects, with some suggesting it causes brain damage.
How do people use marijuana products
- Some people consume marijuana by smoking it in joint-roller, pipes or water pipes (bongs).
- Others also use vaporizers to pull the (THC) Tetrahydrocannabinol from the marijuana to inhale the vapor.
- Some groups mix cannabis in foods such as brownies, cookies, or candy, or brew it as a tea.
How does smoking marijuana cause brain damage?
Some people have argued that cannabis causes brain damage, whiles others have debunked it as conspiracy theories. However, here is what we know about the effects of weed and how it causes brain damage.
Marijuana has long term and short term effects. The short term quickly takes effect after the intake of the substance (THC), which then passes to the lungs into the bloodstream. The body then absorbs the THC and distributes to every part of the body. In that case, the effects begins after 30 minutes to 1 hour of consumption.
When the THC is in the blood, it over activates some parts of the brain with the highest receptors, and it causes people to feel “high”.
Studies suggest that marijuana intake can modify your sense organs, can change your mood and make it difficult for you to think or solve a problem.
Marijuana (Cannabis) consumption can also bring hallucinations when taken in high dosages.
Some long term effects of marijuana include memory loss, low IQ and thinking impairment. A study says some people who started smoking weed heavily in their teens lost an average IQ or 8 points.
- People who smoke or consume marijuana develop breathing problems. Some problems include daily coughing and frequent lung illness.
- Some marijuana consumers develop increased heart rate, which can increase the chance of heart attack.
- Marijuana consumption has also been linked to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens.
