The dangers of smoking marijuana

12.JAN.07

Editor: There is a rapid increase of marijuana smokers in St Vincent and the Grenadines, young and old are destroying their health and lives through the use of marijuana, without knowing the dangerous effects that it has on the human body. This article is compiled to educate and enlighten the user and potential users on the dangers of marijuana smoking. Marijuana is also called ganga, cannabis, weed, herb, bong, just to name a few. Below are the deadly effects that marijuana has on the human body as reported on www.marijuana-info.org.

Effects on the brain:

“The chemical compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive substance in cannabis/marijuana…scientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the brain to produce its many effects. When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passes from the lung into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to organs throughout the body, including the brain.{{more}} In the brain THC connects to specific sites called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors, others a few or none. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influences pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory, time perception and coordinated movements.

The short term effects of marijuana can include problem with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination and increased heart rate. Research findings for long term marijuana use indicate some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drug of abuse.”

Effects on the heart:

“One study has indicated a user’s risk of heart attack more that quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana. The researchers suggest such an effect might occur from marijuana’s effects on the blood pressure and heart rate and reduce oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.”

Effects on the lungs:

“Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers do, as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, a heightened risk of lung infections, and a greater tendency to obstructed airways. Smoking marijuana increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the head or neck, and the more marijuana smoke the greater the increase.”

Other health effects:

“Some of marijuana’s adverse health effects may occur because THC impairs the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases and cancer…depression, anxiety and personality disturbances have been associated with marijuana use. Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person’s existing problems worse. Because marijuana compromises ability to learn and remember information, the more a person uses marijuana the more he or she is likely to fall behind in accumulating intellectual, job or social skills.”

We can clearly see that marijuana is a destructive drug that defiles the body. Take heed as your Creator speaks to you. “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19.

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”1 Corinthians 3:17.

If you are a smoker or a potential smoker there is hope for you if you take heed and turn to God now, He said: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.”Psa1m 19:9.

May you submit to the convictions of the Holy Spirit and gain the victory over all your sins in Jesus name. Amen.

Maydon Parris