What negative effects can marijuana have on the body?

     As marijuana is becoming increasingly mainstream among American society, I wanted to know some of the downsides to getting high. According to drugabuse.gov, a website managed by the National Institute of Health, marijuana can have negative effects on the body as well as the brain. Marijuana affects the part of the brain that relates to forming new memories and learning skills. The drug can also impair judgement, cognitive skills, attention, coordination and balance, much like alcohol can.
     Smoking marijuana in particular can have harmful effects on the body over time. Drugabuse.gov states, "The smoke of marijuana, like that of tobacco, consists of a toxic mixture of gases and particulates, many of which are known to be harmful to the lungs. Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers do, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illnesses, and a greater risk of lung infections. Even infrequent marijuana use can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, often accompanied by a heavy cough...In addition, marijuana has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains irritants and carcinogens—up to 70 percent more than tobacco smoke. It also induces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into their cancer-causing form, which could accelerate the changes that ultimately produce malignant cells. And since marijuana smokers generally inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers, the lungs are exposed longer to carcinogenic smoke."

Dan FR

References:

Marijuana Abuse. (n.d.). How does marijuana use affect your brain and body?. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-your-brain-body