A Brief Explanation of the Physical and Mental Effects of Marijuana
A Brief Explanation of the Physical and Mental Effects of Marijuana
It seems in today’s world that facts aren’t really that important to people. All that matters is how intelligent someone sounds when they say something. Even if someone completely ignores all research and lacks any common sense or reasoning skills, people will believe that person, simply because they sound smart. I am writing this article to explain to the world exactly what pot does to you, and why it isn’t the terrible, life-destroying drug every republican and their mother thinks it is, because in this world of assholes trying to impress dumbasses, nobody has their facts straight anymore.
THC
THC is the active chemical in marijuana. When one smokes weed, THC is what gets them high. Contrary to what the D.A.R.E. officer told you in the 5th grade, marijuana does not contain more cancerous chemicals than cigarettes. While THC is not the only chemical weed contains, it is the only one that has any real effect on one’s body or mind. THC works by making the smoker’s brain release excess amounts of dopamine, which could be described as the brain’s “pleasure chemical.”
Dopamine
The effects of the excess dopamine being released include an increased sex drive, heightened awareness, feelings of euphoria, and increased hunger. The dopamine is mainly released in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, which can lead to an irregular function in motor skills and motivation, though not impairment. In other words, smoking weed might make you walk funny and be lazy, but will not make you fall down the stairs in a drunk fashion.
Overdose and Brain Cells
It is not physically possible to overdose on marijuana. To OD on pot, one would have to smoke twice their body weight in marijuana in under 5 minutes. One shining example of the impossibility of overdosing on pot is a study performed in the 1980’s, in which monkeys were strapped into gas masks, which were pumped full of marijuana smoke. Not a single monkey died; however, they did experience severe brain damage. Why? Because they were completely cut off from any oxygen supply, of course. This study is the only evidence anyone has that marijuana kills brain cells, and of course, one can clearly see that this evidence is faulty. Marijuana has no effect on one’s brain cells.
Addiction
Marijuana contains no addictive properties. Though a psychological dependency is possible with pot as it is with any engaging substance or activity, there is no possibility of developing a physical addiction to marijuana.
Lungs
Marijuana is almost completely harmless to the lungs. Whereas cigarettes contain hundreds of harmful chemicals that can damage your lungs, marijuana contains only THC, and I’m sure a few other chemicals with no real effects. None of these chemicals are carcinogens. Furthermore, the risk for lung damage is completely diminished when the marijuana is vaporized or eaten.
For more information: http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/ (I am not affiliated with the preceding website in any way.)