Side Effects of Marijuana

Side effects of marijuana range from mild to severe health problems. Common side effects of marijuana experienced by first time or non-regular marijuana users are anxiety, panic, paranoia, and feelings of impending doom. In a recent study, between ten and fifteen percent of people who smoked marijuana reported "paranoid" or "confused" feelings as a disadvantage of taking the drug and over twenty seven percent reported "anxiety" as a regular or occasional effect. Around thirty percent gave "negative experiences" as their reason for permanently quitting marijuana.

Many think that this drug is not as harmful as other commonly abused drugs. However, marijuana is a drug that is dangerous to the user’s body just like any other drug. The side effects of marijuana can weaken your immune system and prevent it from fighting off colds, flu, and other viruses. In women, the drug can interfere with ovulation, menstrual cycle, fertility, and DNA. In men, the side effects of marijuana use can cause impotence, swollen breasts that may come with pain, discharge, and fluids.

What are the physical side effects of marijuana use on male fertility? Marijuana does funny things to the sperm. A man who smokes marijuana will have sperm that come out of the gate flying at top speed. But, they burn out quickly, sometimes before they have a chance to make it to the egg for fertilization. However, regular sperm starts off at a moderate pace. When it gets close to the egg, then it picks up speed.

Dr. Lani Burkman from State University of New York-Buffalo had this to say about chronic pot smokers:

 “Men who smoke marijuana are capable of having biological children…” but she added that “Marijuana addiction may cause men with "borderline" infertility to be pushed over the edge into infertility.”

Typical side effects of marijuana include: hindrance in the user’s short-term memory (memory for recent events), difficultly handling complex tasks, changes in their perceptions, and slower reaction times. With the use of more potent varieties of marijuana, even simple tasks can be difficult. Under the influence of marijuana, students may find it hard to study and learn. Young athletes could find their performance is off, especially timing, movements, and coordination which are all affected by marijuana. Drug users also may become involved in risky sexual behavior. There is a strong link between drug use, unsafe sex, and the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Additional side effects of marijuana cause changes to the user’s driving ability too. Many of the skills required for safe driving are affected by marijuana use including alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and reaction time. These effects can last up to 24 hours after taking this drug. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals or sounds on the road.

There is data showing that marijuana plays a serious role in auto crashes. When users combine marijuana with alcohol, as they often do, the hazards of driving can be more severe than with either drug alone. A study of patients in a trauma unit who had been in traffic accidents revealed that fifteen percent of those who had been driving a car or motorcycle had been smoking marijuana. The study also showed that another seventeen percent had both marijuana and alcohol in their blood.

Smoking any drug is unhealthy and will have major side effects. Marijuana is no exception to this rule. The smoke from marijuana actually contains higher concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smokers generally inhale more smoke for longer time periods, depositing more than 4 times as much tar on their lungs as cigarette smokers.

A report out of Canada claims marijuana smoke contains more toxic compounds, including ammonia and hydrogen cyanide, than tobacco smoke. Researchers, including David Moir of the Safe Environments Program in Kitchener, Ontario, determined ammonia levels were 20 times higher in marijuana smoke than in tobacco smoke, while hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and certain aromatic amines occurred at levels 3-5 times higher in the marijuana smoke, Science Daily said Tuesday.

The side effects of marijuana are worse for those who combine marijuana and tobacco. If you are a heavy smoker of marijuana and tobacco joints (more than 10 a day) you are significantly increasing your risk of contracting lung disease. Recent studies show that the greatest pre-cancerous abnormalities appear in those who smoke the two drugs together.

Side Effects of Marijuana Use Include but are not Limited to:

• Bronchitis
• Change in appetite
• Chronic coughing
• Decreased body temperature
• Depressed immune system
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth and throat
• Hallucinations
• Hangover
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased risk of bronchitis and emphysema
• Irritated eyes and sore throat
• Lack of energy
• Nausea
• Short term memory problems
• Sleepiness
• Slowed reaction
• Sweating

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Describe the situation: