Side Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana is the combination of the dried parts of the hemp plant cannabis sativa. The use of marijuana other than its medicinal applications, led to it being a substance prohibited in major parts of the world. It is known by many names including marijuana, the pot, grass, weed, Mary Jane and a host of other names. It became well-known as the most common substance in the streets of United States which is abused. The most common form of consumption for this drug is by the smoking it. The active compound of the cannabis sativa called tetrahydrocannabinol is the one responsible for various marijuana side effects.

While many people think that marijuana is safe and not offensive to the body, it is rather the contrary. The repeated smoking of marijuana or other means of abuse result to side effects which harm the body of the person who employed it. Whenever the drug is consumed, psychoactive and physiological marijuana side effects are felt by the body. How people are affected is a case to case basis. The side effects would largely depend on how potent was the marijuana used, how many times marijuana is smoked before or if marijuana was used along with other drugs or banned substances.

One of the most common marijuana side effects is an altered perception. This is the same effect that the majority of the illegal substances do to its users. Marijuana users tend to perceive things differently from what is really happening around them. As THC affects the user’s brain, their judgment on what they see, hear and feel will be clouded. Also, their sense of time will also be distorted. What their frame of mind or utmost desire before taking marijuana will more likely shape their point of view when the drugs sets in.

Aside from the altered perception other marijuana side effects that might be manifested are increase in heart rate, hypotension, poor coordination, concentration loss and short-term memory loss.

However, there are certain groups that see no wrong in smoking pot. They contend that there are cases where users do not feel anything at all. And because effects vary from person to person, they think that marijuana side effects are just myths. Studies from both sides have a point and the scientific community has not yet adopted a universal truth with regards to the effect of marijuana. But wouldn’t it be for the greater good of the citizens especially the young if people would err on the side of being cautious?
Many people think that occasional smoking of marijuana will pose no danger. These people fail to notice that addiction starts from occasional use. Addiction to the substance is in itself a marijuana side effect.

Besides, people who smoked marijuana will find doing the normal things they do to be difficult. Students, for example, might flunk exams or be convinced to skip their classes. Employees who go to work after smoking pot will have a hard time focusing on their job. They are prone to committing mistakes they don’t normally make. Error in judgment might occur because of marijuana which could translate to poor performance or being fired in the job. Worse, marijuana smoking might even cause accidents in the work area.

Pointing out these marijuana side effects may help in deterring the young from trying out marijuana. They need to learn that a short moment of “coolness” with their friends might be a feeling of regretfulness for the rest of their lives.