Marijuana's Effect on the Body and Brain

Learning Objectives

• Understanding marijuana's effects on:
  • Impairment
  • Health
  • Future success
  • Addiction
  • Perception of harm

Marijuana Basics

• Common Forms
  • Mixture of dried cannabis plant parts
  • Contains over 400 chemicals
  • Main chemical: THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)
  • Forms include hashish, hashish oil, and Marinol (CBD pill)
• Usage
  • Smoked, ingested, vaporized
  • Can be combined with other drugs
• Street Names: Pot, Ganja, Weed, etc.
• Effects
  • Paranoia, memory loss, relaxation, euphoria, increased appetite
  • 111 million Americans have tried it; 2.4 million first-time users in 2012
• Safety Concerns
  • Not FDA-regulated, potential contaminants

New Trends

• Dabbing: Use of concentrated THC extracts
• Vaporizers: G-Pen usage among teens

Impairment

• Brain Development
  • Brain develops until age 25; THC affects brain areas responsible for memory, pleasure, etc.
  • Impairment in memory, processing information, decision-making
• Driving
  • Increased risk of accidents; teens particularly vulnerable
  • Under the influence driving is illegal

Health Effects

• Brain
  • Recreational use may cause disorientation, paranoia, impaired memory
  • High doses can lead to acute psychosis
  • Long-term use can permanently alter brain function
• Body
  • Increases heart rate; risk of heart attack
  • More tar and carbon monoxide inhaled than tobacco
  • Linked to cancer risks

Impact on Family and Society

• Affects parenting ability and child development
• Risks for children in homes where marijuana is grown
• Increased pediatric exposure and poison center calls

Future Success

• Education
  • Linked to lower academic performance, reduced job prospects
  • High school dropouts have higher substance use
• Employment
  • Marijuana use linked to increased workplace absences and accidents

Addiction

• Defined by compulsive use despite consequences
• Withdrawal includes irritability, anxiety, appetite changes
• Higher addiction rates with earlier use

Perception of Harm

• Perception of lower risk among teens and adults
• Increasing potency raises concerns for abuse

Environmental Impact

• Illegal growing causes environmental damage
• Wildlife affected by poisons used in cultivation

Prevention and Education

• Importance of parental and community involvement
• Educating youth about risks of use

Resources

• SAMHS resources available for further information

These notes summarize the presentation on marijuana's effects on the brain, body, and future prospects, highlighting key points about its forms, usage, health and societal impacts, impairment issues, and prevention strategies.