Will daily pot usage hurt my health?
December 30th 2008 20:41
Signature Tune
Well it certainly won't hurt my health or my brain.
Why? I just don't do it.
Readers love pot posts, most of those who do I suspect are in fact pot users, but what they really want is someone to say that's OK and you all know you are not going to get that from me.
All I hear from pot smokers are excuses, the it's OK to smoke pot era has come of age, it isn't, so all the trendies, and you're getting on a bit now, can stop deluding yourself.
Uncontrolled mood swings, sudden eruptions of bad temper and screaming attacks can all result from the use of pot.
I actually know of one mother who encouraged her son's pot use as she said it calmed him down. The calm before the storm, mothers can really hold back a child's development by making too many excuses for bad behaviour of all descriptions rather than letting the child, and I'm not talking young child here, develop responsibility for his/her behaviour.
And it has been shown that many heavy drug users started with pot which led to the use of hard drugs and the damaging effects. Many psychotic episodes occur as a result of pot use.
But here is what CNN's expert view is.
And be warned, don't take all expert view as gospel. It can lead you down the wrong track sometimes and at the end of the day you need to apply a little logic and reason.
CNN expert view - extract
Dr. Jennifer Shu, you'll get no argument from me on this view.
Roughly 40 percent of Americans have tried marijuana, and about 10 percent continue to use it on a regular basis, so this issue is probably more common than one might expect.
The active chemical in marijuana, THC, works on receptors in the brain. In the short term, or within hours of smoking the drug, lower doses can cause feelings of relaxation or distort your senses, whereas higher doses may create hallucinations, learning and memory problems and impaired coordination -- which is why it's not a good idea to drive or play sports when under the influence.
Over the long term, the tar in marijuana may put a person at risk for lung cancer, much as cigarette smoke does. Smoking marijuana can also cause asthma, bronchitis, sinus infections and a sore throat, especially in heavy users. Marijuana may also impair the immune system's ability to fight off certain infections. There is also some evidence that marijuana can trigger heart attacks in people who already have or are at risk for coronary heart disease.
Because marijuana acts on the brain, chronic use can also make it difficult to concentrate, pay attention and learn. Some studies have shown that regular marijuana smokers may function at a lower intellectual level all the time since the drug can keep affecting the brain for weeks after using.
People who try to stop using marijuana after years of use may have withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, drug craving and insomnia, making it hard to quit. Because of the possible difficulty quitting the drug and the many health concerns associated with long-term smoking, I advise regular users to consult with their doctor or an addiction medicine specialist to help them stop.
The active chemical in marijuana, THC, works on receptors in the brain. In the short term, or within hours of smoking the drug, lower doses can cause feelings of relaxation or distort your senses, whereas higher doses may create hallucinations, learning and memory problems and impaired coordination -- which is why it's not a good idea to drive or play sports when under the influence.
Over the long term, the tar in marijuana may put a person at risk for lung cancer, much as cigarette smoke does. Smoking marijuana can also cause asthma, bronchitis, sinus infections and a sore throat, especially in heavy users. Marijuana may also impair the immune system's ability to fight off certain infections. There is also some evidence that marijuana can trigger heart attacks in people who already have or are at risk for coronary heart disease.
Because marijuana acts on the brain, chronic use can also make it difficult to concentrate, pay attention and learn. Some studies have shown that regular marijuana smokers may function at a lower intellectual level all the time since the drug can keep affecting the brain for weeks after using.
People who try to stop using marijuana after years of use may have withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, drug craving and insomnia, making it hard to quit. Because of the possible difficulty quitting the drug and the many health concerns associated with long-term smoking, I advise regular users to consult with their doctor or an addiction medicine specialist to help them stop.
So fo have a re-think about your use of Pot.
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Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Two interesting posts. As an occasional pot smoker, I'll tell you the way I look at it.
I don't buy my own pot. That's the first thing. I smoke pot only in a social context.
Pot usage on occasion isn't all that dangerous; using it maybe twice a year is about as dangerous as getting drunk maybe twice a year. If you're only smoking one joint every few weeks, you'll be able to get through it. There are many varied reactions to pot as any drug, even medical drugs, because every person is different mentally and to some extent physically.
For me pot will calm me down. It does sometimes lead to other drugs but in many cases it also doesn't, so that can't be used as much of an argument about it.
If you smoked pot as much as the average smoker does cigarettes-8-20 a day-then you would actually get lung cancer faster because there is more tar and usually no filter. However, because most people treat pot as an occasional thing (or at least aren't smoking more than one or two joints a day) it's not the cause of nearly as many deaths.
Again, I think this is a rights thing. People should be allowed to do whatever they want with their lives. I can understand why we have age limits on cigarettes and alcohol, and why things like heroin, crack, cocaine, and meth are illegal, but pot is relatively harmless.
It isn't physically addictive, but mentally addictive. Whether or not a person gets addicted or gets into other drugs is completely dependent on personality.
~Dianna
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Pot use doesn't only destroy the user it destroys families, and lives of others. Also growing pot has caused many problems, as the drug growers booby trap their pot patches, many people have been hurt, or killed.
It is unsafe to hike, or hunt in the mountains where I live because you could come upon someones pot patch, which is being watched by armed guards, or like I say booby trapped. Also the police, and National guards go under cover and watch these pot patches, and arrest anyone caught near them, you could have a lot of explaining to do if you are caught near them.
Also they have not respect to property owners they go pot on other peoples property, law enforcement have removed many plants for my property that others have planted there. I even gave information to police one to just to stop the growth of pot on my property which was taking a big chance on getting hit by the grower.
I know I have wonder off the path a little here Katyzzz, but there are many cause and effect of pot use it does just start with a rolled joint, and liter.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I'll just add two:
Say NO to drugs
Choose your friends wisely.
Thank you all for contributing