Weed is Harmless?
It is possible that the experience was more than simply a bad trip.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana (also known as “weed”) is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). There are more than 500 chemicals in marijuana, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main chemical that causes the drug’s mind-altering effects. This chemical changes brain activity, affecting how the mind perceives the world.
What effect does it have on the brain?
When you smoke or vape marijuana, you start to feel the effects almost immediately. These effects can last from one to three hours. Regular users may have a harder time making decisions, concentrating, and remembering things for days after using. Regular use of marijuana during the teen years may cause the brain to develop in a way that is not optimal. It may also lower the IQ.
Is death a possibility?
It is improbable for an individual to experience a fatal overdose from the consumption of marijuana. However, there is a possibility for individuals to sustain injuries and ultimately succumb to fatal consequences due to the drug’s impact on their judgment, perception, and coordination. For instance, individuals may operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, which can result in an accident. Additionally, individuals may experience severe anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, aggression, suicidal ideation, or psychotic reactions, characterized by a loss of contact with reality and the development of paranoia.
Is cannabis addictive?
Indeed, there is ample evidence to suggest that marijuana can be addictive. A user may experience a strong desire to smoke marijuana repeatedly in order to experience the euphoric effects once more. Repeated use can lead to the development of addiction, characterized by an inability to control drug use and a strong desire to stop, despite significant challenges. It is estimated that approximately 30% of users may develop a problematic use disorder, which is defined as the use of marijuana that results in adverse effects on the user’s health, academic performance, or other areas of life.
Myths & Facts
Smoking marijuana changes the brain a little bit, and it’s similar to how cocaine, heroin, and alcohol change the brain. Here are some more facts about it.
“It’s a natural plant, so it can’t be that bad.”
Marijuana is not directly dangerous, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Using marijuana regularly has been linked to long-term problems, like poor school performance, memory loss and lung cancer. It can be especially harmful to developing teenagers’ brains. Using marijuana can cause panic attacks, depression and other mental health problems, as well as increased anxiety.
“Driving while high is safer than driving drunk.”
No. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that even a small amount of marijuana can make driving harder because it affects how alert you are, how well you can concentrate, how you move and react, which are all important for safe driving. Researchers also found that 17% of crash victims under the age of 18 tested positive for marijuana.
“I’m a regular pot smoker, but I still get top grades.”
Some people think that marijuana has no negative effects, but many studies have shown that it can actually have a negative effect on young people’s brains. It can make it hard for them to concentrate and remember things, which can lead to poor academic performance. While a person might think they are doing well in their studies, it is impossible to know how marijuana affects their brain and how well they could do in the future.
“Everyone is doing it.”
It might seem like everyone is doing it, but that might just be because we’re talking about it more. The truth is, the actual stats in Canada show that 33% of Canadians aged 18-24 have tried marijuana in the past year. Only 2% of the population aged 15 or older reported daily use in the previous year, and another 3% said they used it at least weekly (one or more times a week). This isn’t everyone, but it’s true that more guys than girls use it.
50% Become addicted
1 in 2 heavy users will develop a dependance on marijuana. That’s 50%!
22% People smoking weed
22% of 15-19 year olds are doing it. So not ‘everyone’ is smoking weed.
50% 50% MORE toxins
A joint contains 50 per cent more cancer-causing toxins than cigarettes.
65% Increase in accidents
High school seniors who smoke marijuana are 65% more likely to get into an accident than those who don’t smoke.
Can you drive better on weed?
Driving slower doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re driving safely. Studies using driving simulators show that driving under the influence of marijuana is more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol. A Canadian database showed that marijuana was more common in drivers aged 15 to 24 who died in car accidents than alcohol alone. Any substance that alters your thinking can impact your ability to drive safely.
Weed is harmless?
Studies on large groups of people show that using marijuana when you’re young and using a lot of it can lead to a higher chance of developing psychosis. People who use marijuana while also using alcohol, cocaine, or other drugs might be more likely to overdose on those drugs. Could using marijuana actually be more dangerous than just having a bad trip?