"Introduction to "Bad effects of pot"
The latest studies on so called "bad effects of pot" including short and long time ones proved that most of many of the "reefer madness" tales were simple lies. Although these studies did not answer all remaining questions about marijuana toxicity, they generally supported the idea that marijuana was a relatively safe drug - not totally free from potential harm, but unlikely to create serious harm for most individual users or society. An analysis of research studies with long-term, recreational users of marijuana has failed to reveal a substantial, systematic effect on the neurocognitive functioning of users. According to researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine, the only deleterious side effect found was a minimal malfunction in the domains of learning and forgetting. So however stong the effects may be during the experience, keep in mind, it won't cripple You. Now for the sake of truth, read ...
Short time bad effects of pot
Here are short time effects of pot, meaning during a few hours after use. The short-term effects occur rapidly after a single dose and disappear within a few hours. Most of them can be fun if You are in safe place with good people to laugh with. Most of those bad effects can be very dangerous if the place and situation demands capabilites You have just weakend by pot use and/or the people around You are not friendly. General advice is to plan ahead, prepare the right time, place and people. Good plan will help You relax, enjoy the experience and avoid bad effects of pot, which in my humble opinion are exagerrated. But always use pot with caution, if You are not experienced don't smoke too much at the first time.
- bad short time memory and lowered learning abilities.
Example: difficulty to stay on topic, because of forgetting what was the subject and what was said a moment ago.
Comment: Some potheads like me say it is a part of fun. Sure it is when You are among friends in a safe place. But not when You have to talk to Your mother or the policeman.
- difficulty thinking and problem solving.
Example: Don't use pot before the exam or driving lesson. These tasks need quick thinking and You are likely to fail or even put Yourself in danger. Remember to take it easy after using pot. No duties, no difficulties. Plan a enjoyable experience for Yourself.
- poor performance, loss of coordination and risk of injury.
Example: This is serious ! Don't sharpen knifes, Don't go climbing ! Go walking, looking, smelling, touching
- inability to drive safely or do complex tasks for up to 24 hours after use.
Example: Selfexplanatory. Daydreaming behind the wheel can be dangerous not only to Yourself, but everybody with You.
- distorted senses of sight, hearing, touch, time, and depth.
Example: Just keep in mind not to trust Your senses in 100%. Not sure You can cross the street ? Check again !
- reduced athletic ability.
Example: Don't go wood choping or running. Work in the garden if You like ...
- elevated heart rate.
Example: If You find Your heart pounding too strong just relax.
- anxiety, panic attacks.
Example: Not likely, but just in case, or if You are nervous person, or just got scared, use Your pot in a safe place with relaxed helpfull people to help You calm down. And most of all for all of You panickers, if You happen to smoke too much, and start feeling bad in any way, remember to lay down or sit down and relax and I assure You will feel better in a few hours.
"Long time bad effect of pot
There is some evidence from human studies that long-term pot use can have bad effects, although it seems that the spectrum of these effects is narrower than previously thought and mainly centres around cognitive (intellectual) function. These effects disappear gradually after pot use stops. Long-term effects occur after repeated use over a period of time. Like smoking a few joints a week for 10 years.
Study published in a Canadian medical journal (CMAJ 2002 Apr 2;166(7):887-91) found that: Current marijuana use had a negative effect on global IQ score only in subjects who smoked 5 or more joints per week. A negative effect was not observed among subjects who had previously been heavy users but were no longer using the substance. We conclude that marijuana does not have a long-term negative impact on global intelligence. This study compared IQ scores of individuals aged 9-12 years before they started using cannabis, with their scores at 17-20 years. Light users, former users and non-users showed a gain in IQ over the same period. "I suppose we expected to see some differences in people who were heavy users, but in fact the differences were very minimal." Still, researchers say impairments were less than what is typically found from using alcohol or other drugs.
- because the tar content of THC smoke is 50 percent higher than that of tobacco, many users have chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems. That can be avoided by using vapouriser instead of smoking pot.
- some chronic heavy users(especially young ones less than 16 years old) may show loss of drive and energy, slow and confused thinking, impaired memory and apathy. This is often referred to as "amotivational syndrome," and disappears gradually after drug use stops.
- there is no conclusive study, but it is advised not to use pot during pregnacy. Possible cause of lower birth weight and slower brain cognitive functions development.
- psychological addiction is possible and happens among heavy users.
Dutch Marijuana Use Lower Than Previously Thought: New Study Shatters American Myth That Relaxed Dutch Marijuana Laws Cause Increased Marijuana Use Despite Decriminalization, Dutch Use Less Marijuana Than Americans - AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - April 17 /PRNewswire/ --
A new study with sweeping implications for marijuana policy in the United States and abroad has found the number of marijuana users in the Netherlands to be substantially lower than previously estimated. According to a study released this week by the Centre for Drug Research (CEDRO) at the University of Amsterdam, only about 2 to 3 percent of the Dutch population (ages 12 years old and up) had used marijuana in the previous month. Earlier studies had put the rate at about 5.0 to 6.5 percent.
"Previous estimates were based on surveys in Amsterdam, which has a higher use rate than the rest of the country," said Peter Cohen, one of the authors of the study. "By including the cities of Tilberg and Utrecht in our survey, the results are more representative of the Dutch population as a whole."
These findings offer new insight into the relationship between marijuana use and marijuana policy. For the last twenty years, Dutch citizens over the age of 18 have been able to buy and use marijuana in government-regulated coffee shops. In the United States, where it is illegal under federal law to grow, purchase or use marijuana, U.S. government studies have found Americans use marijuana more often than the Dutch. According to a 1996 U.S. government study, between 4.2 and 5.3 percent of the U.S. population (ages 12 years old and up) had used marijuana in the past month. Despite fundamentally different marijuana policies, the Dutch use less marijuana than Americans.
"This study is further evidence that Dutch marijuana policy has not resulted in an explosion of marijuana use," said Dr. John P. Morgan, co-author of the book Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence (The Lindesmith Center, $12.95 U.S., paperback).
"Despite an overly punitive policy toward marijuana in the U.S., Americans still use more marijuana." Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts co-author Lynn Zimmer asks, "If the Dutch are using less marijuana, what purpose was served by arresting 642,000 Americans for possessing marijuana last year?" "