Marijuana is illegal by Federal Law in the U.S, but local laws for its use and possession vary from state to state. Despite the prohibition, it is a widely popular recreational drug around the country and known by many names, i.e. pot, weed, grass, and dope among others. The conventional way of intake is via smoking, but it is often added to foods items like brownies and cookies as well. Marijuana is extracted from the cannabis plant; its primary psychoactive element is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which instigates euphoria and relaxation. Personal Injury Attorney In Houston, TX claims that medicinal marijuana either does not include psychoactive parts of the plant, or contains only negligible levels of THC.

Marijuana may have a few medicinal benefits, but it is categorized as a harmful drug because it is addictive and possesses mind-altering properties. The THC stimulates the part of our brain that responds to pleasure, which in turn releases the hormone ‘dopamine’; this makes consumers feel relaxed and happy. The most risky thing about recreational marijuana is that you cannot guess its potency, so you may get ‘high’ within seconds and require several hours to get sober again.

Short-Term Effects

Not every single person who tries pot or weed feels good afterwards. Heightened senses often lead to severe anxiety, panic, or paranoia. You will begin to see, hear, and smell strange things that do not actually exist; you shall have a hard time differentiating between hallucinations and reality, until the effects wear off. People who are high on marijuana may also undergo acute memory loss and suffer an identity crisis. Your imagination becomes vivid and reaction time is lowered.

Increased heart rate from the stimulant and inflammation of lungs due to pot smoke are also common symptoms; high potency marijuana may instigate breathing problems and increase chances of a heart stroke. An individual under the influence of the drug is likely to lose track of time and mental impairment causes poor physical co-ordination. Intoxicated individuals are prone to commit DUI/DWI crimes, and even die in the process. Males may encounter sexual problems and the probability of contracting a sexually transmitted disease increases for consumers of all genders.

Long-Term Effects

Almost 10% of all people who try marijuana long for the euphoric sensation and become addicts. Regular or prolonged use can intensify existing mental health issues, such as phobias and depression. Individuals who start smoking weed at a young age and continue it as adults experience a drastic drop in IQ because their thinking skills are compromised. The inability to perform mentally challenging tasks may prevent them from scoring a decent job or keeping up with school. These people are highly susceptible to fatigue and feel miserable without the drug. A person’s immune system weakens, so the odds of contracting viral infection are elevated. Moreover, consumers often develop heart and/or lung diseases in the long run. Developing a habit of opiate abuse affects employment and home life, leading to strained relationships and financial problems. Similar to other drug addicts, shortage of marijuana supply may encourage a person to demonstrate violent behavior and indulge in different kinds of criminal offenses to fulfill the craving.