Is Smoking Weed Healthy ?
The question posed; is smoking weed healthy? It is a common misconception that there are no long term effects associated with smoking marijuana. People who think this way are now being proven wrong as the effects of weed smoking closely mimic those of cigarette smoking.
Almost immediately after first smoking marijuana the effects begin. A burning sensation in the mouth, a dry throat, bloodshot eyes and increased appetite are the most common side effects. Physiologically, marijuana lowers blood pressure while increasing your heart rate by 20 to 100 percent, which can last up to three hours. This drop in blood pressure, combined with an increased heart rate is serious because a person that smokes marijuana has four times the risk of experiencing a myocardial infarction (heart attack) within the first hour after inhalation. Moreover, while this substance is known for its euphoric state or sleepiness, it also can produce anxiety, paranoia with hallucinations or panic attacks.
Upon inhaling marijuana, THC quickly gets transported from the respiratory system to the circulatory system and enters the blood stream. Consequently, the blood transports THC to the brain and elsewhere throughout the entire body. Different areas of the brain have varying quantities of receptors on neurons (brain nerve cells) which are affected by THC as they bind with the THC chemical. Smoking weed affects a person’s thinking ability and concentration, sensory perception as well as perception of time, areas of memory, pleasure and coordination.
Chronic use of marijuana may produce multiple health problems later on in life beyond addiction to the substance itself. Marijuana has 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic properties than tobacco; thus, increasing the likelihood of developing lung cancer or at least increased susceptibility to frequent lung infections or obstructed airway conditions. Sexual dysfunction also may be a long-term effect.