Pubdate: Fri, 30 May 2003
Source: Imprint (CN ON Edu)
Copyright: Imprint Publications 2003.
Contact:  http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2693
Author: Gopaul Deosaran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

MARY JANE NOT SO INNOCENT

Pot, herb, grass, weed, Mary Jane, skunk, boom, gangster, kif and ganja. 
All of these names describe the greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded 
flowers and leaves of the hemp plant scientifically known as Cannabis 
sativa, or simply the marijuana plant.

Although the slang names for marijuana give an impression of 
lightheartedness towards its use, research has shown that the effects of 
marijuana can be harmful and should not be taken lightly.

There are about 400 chemicals in the marijuana plant. The one that affects 
the brain the most and is the main active component of marijuana is THC, or 
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Researchers have found that THC changes the 
way that sensory information gets processed in the hippocampus. The 
hippocampus is the area of the brain crucial for learning, memory, and the 
integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivations.

A study of college students has shown that skills related to attention, 
memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, 
even after 24 hours of non-use. Compared in the study were 65 "heavy 
users," users who had smoked marijuana an average of 29 of the past 30 
days, and 64 "light users," who had smoked an average of one of the past 
30. After a closely monitored 19 to 24 hour period of self-restraint from 
marijuana and other illicit drugs and alcohol, the students were given 
several standard tests measuring aspects of attention, memory, and 
learning. Compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more 
errors and had more difficulty sustaining and shifting attention. They also 
had difficulty registering, processing, and using information.

These findings suggest that the greater impairment among heavy users is 
likely due to an alteration of brain activity produced by marijuana.

Potentially harmful effects of marijuana on the brain and central nervous 
system include damage to brain cells that control thinking, emotions, 
pleasure, coordination, mood and memory. The pituitary gland, which 
regulates hunger, thirst, blood pressure, sexual behavior and the release 
of sexual hormones is also damaged.

Other potentially harmful effects of marijuana include damage to the lungs, 
eyes and throat, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

It is also possible to develop "tolerance" for marijuana; users may need 
increasingly larger doses of the drug to get the same desired results as 
previously experienced with smaller amounts.

The effects of marijuana can differ from user to user. For example, males 
and females tend to react to, or are affected differently by marijuana.

In males, marijuana can decrease the testosterone level and occasional 
cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users can occur. Regular 
marijuana use can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, as well as an 
increase in abnormal and immature sperm. Marijuana use has been cited as a 
contributing factor in the rising problem of infertility in males. Young 
males should know potential effects of marijuana use on sex and human 
growth processes before they decide to "light up."

Irregular menstrual cycles and raised testosterone levels have been 
observed in females who use marijuana on a regular basis. These effects may 
be reversible, although it may take several months of abstinence from 
marijuana use before menstrual cycles become normal again.

Since it may be hard to think rationally and scientifically when you are 
"blazing a joint," the effect of marijuana on health and the body should be 
considered first.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager