PSY100N1E

Marijuana and its Effects on the Human Body Dr. Mark Tucci PSY100N1E January 17th, 2019 Abstract Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in Canada. Since its legalization in 2018, it became more accessible to the public, where it can now be purchased and sold online, and more recently in designated shops. Commonly referred to as weed or cannabis, marijuana contains chemicals that give users a euphoric ‘high’ sensation, while in the medical world is used to suppress pain, arthritis, and various other complications. Although the drug has medicinal properties, recreational use holds the potential of harming the human body, making it an indecisive problem for most of the population. While the drug holds the benefit of ailing pains in those that need it, it is typically abused by young adults and those less aware of its negative consequences. As a result, marijuana should not have been legalized due to its overall harmful effects on people. Cannabis has negative effects on reproductive heath and fetal development. Several studies have shown that pregnant women who use marijuana or who are exposed through second-hand smoke can disrupt the growth of a fetus and an infant, thus leading to health complications. This occurs because the active ingredient, known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), passes through the placenta and disrupts the nutrient supply, including oxygen to the fetus, and in turn, leads to leukemia and damage to the brain (Jaques, 2014). After birth, THC has been shown to mix with breastmilk during its formation; therefore, has the potential to halt the mental development of breastfeeding infants (Garry A, 2009). The correlation between intelligence and marijuana exposure is staggering; Cassano et al. 2007 found that young children who are exposed to marijuana experienced a decline in their intellectual performance by disrupting memory and learning ability. In addition, researchers have found that men who smoke marijuana have reduced fertility. For instance, marijuana is known to reduce total sperm counts, as well as cause anomalies in the sperm movements (Fronczak, Kim, Barqawi, 2012). Road traffic statistics have shown a direct link between fatal vehicle crashes and THC concentration level in the blood (Fogoros, 2018). According to the Traffic Safety report, car crashes have increased by 1.25 times for individuals who are tested positive for cannabis use since its legalization (Fogoros, 2018). THC can alter the prefrontal cortex- the cognitive region in the brain that’s control the ones vision and coordination. (Verrico, Gu, Peterson, Sampson, Lewis, 2014) Also, researchers have proven that marijuana can harm the memory and the functionality of the brain comparing to the ones do not smoke it. (Verrico, Gu, Peterson, Sampson, Lewis, 2014) Driving a vehicle under the influence of marijuana can reduce the driver sensory perceptions such as vision, concentrations and coordination. Thus, the Canadian government is desperately trying to enforce laws and educate people not to operate a vehicle after smoking; a side-effect of its legalization that was never properly planned out by the government. Driving a vehicle under the effect of cannabis not only puts the driver’s life at risk, but also other drivers and pedestrians. Researches have found that consumption of cannabis can lead to numerous health problems including short and long-term effects such as headaches, anxiety, blood vessel damage due to high blood pressure and lung infections. Studies have shown that young adults who smoke marijuana are experiencing some health complications, such as the loss of concentration due to neural damage. The effects of cannabis can stay in a young person’s body for about two years, which could result in a schizophrenic condition. Similarly, studies have shown that cannabis increases the chance of getting high blood pressure and the risk of lung cancer. Although some studies have shown that people under the effect of marijuana experience less pain during surgery, however, other studies have proved that the mixture of anesthesia and marijuana can decrease the central nervous system’s function. The brain gets a bigger side-effect from cannabis where seizure disorders can occur, while your immune system becomes weak, major viruses and bacteria breakouts will occur causing bigger damage to the body. Other side effects which are considered minor to what is written above are, headaches, dry mouth, vomiting depressive feelings, sexual related problems, unsafe numbness which can cause major injuries to the body. According to a LiveScience report, there is a 26% increase of stroke and heart failure cases due to cannabis uses. (LiveScience, 2017). Health complications does not stop after quitting smoking marijuana as its one of the addictive drugs in the world. Cannabis is known as an addictive substance and it is very difficulty to quit, like cigarettes, marijuana causes many problems if the person tried to quit smoking, theses problems vary from, anxiety, depression, decreased in appetite, and sleep deprivations. In summery, marijuana intake causes many side-effects that are unhealthy to the body, these problems will rise the more you increase in dosage, limiting the dosage of marijuana to medically appropriate amounts will create a better lifestyle. The use of marijuana can damage the one life as well as the society. Multiple studies have been done and proven that the consumption of cannabis has a negative effect on human’s health. Several longitudinal studies have proven that young adults who are under the influence of marijuana are more likely to cause a fatal car accident comparing to the ones do not use it. The person must be aware and safe that they become responsible to not drive under the effect of drugs. Work Cited Cannabis and Driving. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://madd.ca/pages/impaired-driving/overview/cannabis-and-driving/ Cox, L. (2017, June 06). Marijuana: Effects of Weed on Brain and Body. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/24558-marijuana-effects.html Loria, K. (2018, March 07). 23 health benefits of marijuana. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4#while-not-really-a-health-or-medical-benefit-marijuana-could-spur-creativity-15 Marijuana: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-947/marijuana The Effects of Marijuana on Your Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/marijuana/effects-on-body#1 Jaques SC, et al. (2014) Cannabis, the pregnant woman and her child: Weeding out the myths. Journal of Perinatology 34:417-424. Garry A, et al. Cannabis and breastfeeding. J Toxicol 2009;2009:596149. Fronczak CM, Kim ED, Barqawi AB. (2012) The insults of illicit drug use on male fertility [Review]. Journal of Andrology (4):515-528 Campolongo P, Trezza V, Cassano T, et al. (2007) Perinatal exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol causes enduring cognitive deficits associated with alteration of cortical gene expression and neurotransmission in rats. Addict Biol 12(3-4):485-495. doi:10.1111/j.1369-1600.2007.00074.x. Batalla A, Bhattacharyya S, Yücel M, et al. Structural and functional imaging studies in chronic cannabis users: a systematic review of adolescent and adult findings. PloS One. 2013;8(2):e55821. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055821. Fogoros, R. N. (2018, October 31). Do You Think Marijuana Doesn't Affect Driving Skills? Retrieved January 27, 2019, from https://www.verywellmind.com/how-does-marijuana-affect-driving-63533 Verrico CD, Gu H, Peterson ML, Sampson AR, Lewis DA. (2014, March 27) Repeated ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in adolescent monkeys: persistent effects selective for spatial working memory.