Effects of Marijuana

The Effects of Smoking Cannabis

There are many effects of smoking cannabis, some negative and some positive, some long term, some short term. Sometimes these effects can vary between person to person but a lot of the time they are generally pretty similar.

The Short Term Effects:
Probably the biggest short term effect is the "high" that is felt by the smoker, this can feel dazed, happy, relaxed, calm and care-free. Occasionally this high may be negative and the person will feel discomfort and paranoia. Another short term effect is a reduced short term memory, often marijuana smokers find it very hard to remember even the simplest of things whilst in a state of being high. Marijuana can also alter and distort your senses such as touch, taste and sound. Another well known short term effect is a much larger appetite than normal, also referred to as "having the munchies".

The Long Term Term Effects:
Depending on how often a person smokes these effects may vary in severity but again they are generally all the same. Some studies show that the risk of lung cancer is much greater in a frequent marijuana smoker and that a person who smokes five joints a week is taking in as many cancer causing chemicals as someone who is smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Long term effects can also include long term memory loss and an inability to process and take in new information as easily.

Positive Effects:
One of the most positive effects of marijuana is the medicinal benefits that it provides. It can reduce the pain and nausea caused by cancer treatments and help AIDS victims regain their apetite. Marijuana is also seen as a "mind opener" meaning that it can inspire creativity and broaden the mind to think outside of the box.

It is up to each person individually to be aware of both the positive and negative effects of smoking cannabis and personally decide whether it is the right substance to smoke for them.