Marijuana is the most widely used illegal substance in the world today. It was once considered a non-addictive substance, but current research shows that use of the drug by some people can lead to both psychological and physical dependence. Many heavy marijuana users who quit using experience physical withdrawal symptoms that are similar to, though usually milder than, those suffered by cigarette smokers who quit smoking.
Top Five Marijuana Facts
Q: Does smoking marijuana impact memory?
A: Yes. Smoking marijuana interferes with learning and memory. Occasional users experience residual effects on cognitive functioning, including memory, for up to 48 hours after smoking. Habitual users experience ongoing impaired ability to learn new information, which continues for up to several weeks after quitting use.
Q: Does smoking marijuana negatively affect the immune system?
A: Yes. Smoking marijuana damages the cells in the bronchial passages, which protect the body against inhaled microorganisms. It also decreases the ability of the immune cells in the lungs to fight off fungi, bacteria, and tumor cells.
Q: Does smoking marijuana cause lung cancer?
A: Yes. Marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke, contains at least one well-known carcinogen, benzopyrene, which occurs in greater concentration in marijuana smoke than tobacco smoke.
Q: Do the effects of smoking marijuana last up to two full days?
A: Yes. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, is extremely fat-soluble, which means it is stored in the body's fatty tissues and can slowly enter the bloodstream for up to two days after smoking.
Q: Does smoking marijuana change your mood?
A: Yes. Some marijuana users experience mild flashbacks, anxiety or panic attacks, and marijuana has been shown to exacerbate certain pre-existing psychological conditions such as anxiety and panic disorders.
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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - NIDA, a division of The National Institutes of Health (NIH), InfoFacts on marijuana provides a description of marijuana's health effects.
How Marijuana Works - HowStuffWorks provides unbiased explanations and offers a lively, in-depth description of marijuana the plant and marijuana the drug.
The Vaults of Erowid -
Erowid provides reliable information about psychoactive plants and chemicals. The comprehensive section on marijuana includes general information on the history and culture related to marijuana use.
