Marijuana: 4 reasons to understand why it is not safe
Marijuana is a psychoactive substance that when entering the body alters it generating stimulating, depressant and hallucinogenic effects. It can produce in the first instance euphoria, then relaxation and in some cases, hallucinations and delusions.
Next we will mention 4 facts by which Compulsive use of marijuana in the short or long term is not innocuous (In all cases we refer to smoked marijuana, not the medicinal use of cannabis).
- Related article: "The 4 types of marijuana: cannabis and its characteristics"
Adverse effects of marijuana
These are some of the effects that make marijuana a substance capable of eroding the well-being of people.
1. It alters the central nervous system
The consumption of marijuana alters the perception, can produce space-time disorientation, increases the probability of suffering accidents (car accidents, at work) because psychomotor coordination is affected ; the concentration decreases, the reflections are altered, the reaction times are slower.
In the long term, the higher the frequency of consumption and the earlier the link with the substance begins, generates neurocognitive impairment . It affects cognitive functions, diminishing abilities such as the resolution of mathematical problems, the comprehension of texts, memory, hindering the learning process.
It also produces a decrease in interest and willingness to study because the psychoactive component THC can also generate amotivational syndrome , characterized by a decrease in the ability to maintain the normal course of different activities such as keeping a job or finishing school.
2. It can produce acute psychotic episodes
The consumption of marijuana, by altering the state of consciousness and perception, generates changes in mental activity to the point of producing auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoid ideas, depersonalization, a sense of loss of control, of panic, of terror.
This is because THC has an impact on parts of the brain responsible for perception, attention, the senses. These episodes can occur as a result of compulsive use, as withdrawal symptoms, or by a predisposition of dual base pathology triggered by consumption.
On the other hand, smoking marijuana may produce higher risk of suffering from schizophrenia , which can be triggered by three factors: frequent consumption + early onset of consumption + genetic predisposition to have said mental illness.
- Related article: "Research reveals why marijuana can cause schizophrenia"
3. Is capable of producing psychological dependence
Not every use of marijuana will escalate to problematic use, however if the consumer has predisposing factors in his organism, psychological dependence can be generated, a need relationship with the substance .
We can talk about psychological dependence when consumption is compulsive, when there are manifestations of irritability, anxiety, desire to consume, mood and mood changes in times of abstinence and need to use marijuana to carry out certain activities. The dependent person feels that he needs the substance to function better.
4. Increased risk of developing respiratory problems, such as lung cancer
The high temperature of the smoke and toxic substances produced by combustion, such as tar , are aggressive and invasive factors for the respiratory system; It causes irritation of the lungs and can produce some types of cancers. It can also cause respiratory crisis, bronchitis, pneumonia, breathing difficulties, cough.
And the rest of the drugs?
It is worth clarifying that the reasons mentioned to understand why marijuana is not innocuous are not exclusive to it, since they are also applicable to other psychoactive substances , such as alcohol.
The ignorance of the harmful effects caused by the consumption of marijuana cigarettes favors that it is one of the main psychoactive drugs most consumed in the world, either addictively or in recreational use. Marijuana is very easy and fast access and consumption in adolescence is increasing, from ever younger ages.
It is often thought that tobacco cigarettes pose more danger to health than marijuana cigarettes. While it is correct that tobacco generates great damage throughout the body, smoked marijuana is never beneficial to health nor is its consumption without harmful consequences.
