Posted by PatJ. on January 28, 2001, at 16:40:21
In reply to Dangers of Marijuana (how it effects mental ill.), posted by PatJ. on January 28, 2001, at 16:21:26
"In the early 1980s a committee of the National Academy of Science was asked to make a critical review of current knowledge about the effects of marijuana on health (National Academy of Sciences, 1982). The committee's report concluded that marijuana has a variety of effects, some of which are harmful to human health. Marij. use causes changes in the heart and circulation that are similar to those caused by stress. These changes might be a threat for individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease. Marij. smoke causes changes in the lungs that may lead to respiratory problems, but cancer producing agents in marijuana smoke are even more of a problem. Marijuana smoke contains about 50 percent more carcinogens than does tobacco smoke.
In males, marij. suppresses the production of male hormones, decreases the size and weight of the prostate gland and testes, and inhibits sperm production, although these effects appear to be reversible. Such specific reproductive effects have not been found for non-pregnant women. In pregnant women, however, THC crosses the placental barrier and may harm the unborn child. It can also be secreted in breast milk, thereby affecting nursing infants. Various studies have shown that marijuana blocks ovulation and can cause birth defects.
Marijuana impairs motor coordination and perception and makes driving and machine operation more hazardous. It also impairs short-term memory and slows learning. One particularly important point is that the impairment lasts for four to eight hours after the feeling of intoxication is over. This means that behavior may be affected even when the user is no longer aware of the presence of the drug."
From: Abnormal Psychology: The problem of maladaptive behavior. Sarason PhD & Sarason PhD, University of Washington.
poster:PatJ.
thread:52766
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52767.html