I know alot of people smoke pot to help with chronic illness..but are there any illness caused by smoking it?
357045
no, nothing major. The goverment just wants you to believe it is just as bad as smoking Cigs. Mary Jane is all natural from the earth. If God didn't want us to smoke, it wouldn't grow. It helps too many sick people survive without pain. How can that be a bad thing?
58334
There are some newer studies out which indicate that marijuana can trigger a psychotic mental illness such as schizophrenia in a small number of people who should not be at risk of developing such illnesses. And for a person who is psychotic marijuana will increase their symptoms. If you are young and smokeing a lot it will alter the way your brain developes and lead to depression among other things. You should look up Dr. Drew from loveline, he is more knowlageable on this subject than I. But some cliches for ya "too much of anything is bad", "everything in moderation".
74782
Long-term physical effects of smoking marijuana;\nIn some ways, the effects of smoking cannabis are similar to the effects of smoking any substance. Any time you inhale smoke, the respiratory system is adversely affected. These effects are particularly apparent with repeated and prolonged use. Studies have pointed out that cannabis produces more tar and burns at a higher temperature than tobacco. Some cannabis smokers inhale the smoke more deeply and hold it in their lungs for a longer period of time. However, the average cannabis user smokes less frequently, and there is evidence that cannabinoids present in cannabis may actually serve to protect against cancer. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108-10/correspondence.html#thc Furthermore, the concentration of toxic and carcinogenic additives such as nicotine, arsenic, and radium-226, is substantially greater in tobacco cigarettes than in cannabis.Medically, cannabis is most often used as an appetite stimulant and pain reliever for certain terminal illnesses such as cancer and AIDS. It is also used to relieve glaucoma and certain neurological illnesses such as epilepsy ,migraine and bipolar disorder. The medical use of cannabis is politically controversial, but it is sometimes recommended informally by physicians. A synthetic version of the active ingredient in cannabis, THC, is readily available in the form of a pill as the prescription drug Marinol. THC has also been found to reduce arterial blockages.http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050404/full/050404-7.html A sublingual spray derived from an extract of cannabis has also been approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis in Canada as the prescription drug Sativex.
1131373
The physical health risks associated with both cigarettes and  marijuana are caused by the same thing: the carcinogens, or cancer causing agents, in the smoke. Nicotine and THC are the drugs, respectively, ingested by the smoke. It has been shown in studies that an unfiltered ingestion of tobacco OR marijuana is roughly three times as harmful as a typical filtered cigarette. However, the average cigarette smoker smokes far more individual puffs in a given time period than the average recreational marijuana smoker. \n\nWhen looked at on a larger scale, cigarettes outnumber ALL other drugs, including narcotics, in related health problems and associated deaths. These statistics are precipitated by the popularity and highly addictive nature of cigarettes, as well what is generally considered ruthless, misleading and unethical advertising and business policy by the tobacco industry.
354963
i'm 25 and my mom is 46.  yes she smokes pot, but not as much as she did before i was born or when i was in high school.  she has cancer now, but she doesn't use it as an excuse.  she always said " everyhting in moderation" this included drugs and alcohol.
860386
Yes it does because the marijuana is released into the blood stream when smoked. That's how you get high off this substance and any other substance. If you use daily the pot will stay in your system for up to 12 weeks in some cases.
604494
Weed is the number one drug in the western world that causes addiction related health problems and loss of function in the person's life.\n\nYou lose a tremendous amount doing dangerous drugs like pot.  You aren't as smart as you should be, you aren't as capable.  It dramatically interferes with your ability to lead a normal, happy and satisfying life.\n\nI worked inpatient community mental health for years.....including more than my share of drug related problems.  I know what I am talking about with this.  I've met a hell of alot of people who come from good families, started out smart and with everything going for them.  Then, they started smoking weed.  Ten years go by and they are now in the trashcan of society.  No job, no prospects....no LIFE.  Wondering how they got there.
386563
Uh, no.  Unfortunately you are going to get a lot of negative responses.  I have smoked pot everyday for about ten years.  I am on the dean's list almost every semester, I have a great job, great apartment, lots of friends, none of those things have been affected by my smoking.  So obviously pot isn't a drug.  I saw someone compare it to a hallucinogen.  Do they even know what LSD is?  I mean seriously, do some valid research before you go off on a tangent.  I recently quit smoking for two weeks.  I know that doesn't seem like a long time but it is when you smoke everyday.  It was surprisingly easy to quit but what was even more surprising was the fact that it didn't change anything.  I acted exactly the same.  I saved a little more money but that's it.  So go ahead, smoke down, have a good time, but always be responsible.  And don't forget 420 is next week!\n\nI want to give props to Kate for a great answer!  Thanks!
868406
Every kind of smoking is dangerous, even second hand or directly inhaling it. If you haven't asked to stop I would try and ask her to stop smoking. To much smoking can cause Bronchitis, bronchitis is a condition, (if you don't already know), when her bronchial tubes(which bring air to the lungs) are inflamed. Severe bronchitis can lead to pneumonia, which is a sharp increase in the amount of fluid in the lungs. If pneumonia isn't treated it can be fatal. If she doesn't listen to you I would try and call a doctor to try and help her stop smoking. I'll pray for you to.\n\n, Good luck, and God bless.
426813
affects short term memory, reflexes and attention span is reduced, believe or not marijuana is classified hacillugen drug so it could make you see things(does not happen too often), however is not an addictive drug (no physical dependence but some experience psychological dependence).  There are no long term damage associated with marijuana use, when you stop using all the side effects go away and there is no long term damage.  Some people experience depression after quitting from many years of use, and contrary to popular belief it does not affect the lungs.  In fact some studies show that smoking marijuana offsets the damage produced by cigarette smoke in the lungs.  You can smoke it once in a while, just dont abuse it.
604024
When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to organs throughout the body, including the brain.\n\nIn the brain, THC connects to specific sites called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement4.\n\nThe short-term effects of marijuana can include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate. Research findings for long-term marijuana abuse indicate some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term abuse of other major drugs. For example, cannabinoid (THC or synthetic forms of THC) withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system5 and changes in the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine6. Dopamine neurons are involved in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected by all drugs of abuse.\n\n\nEffects on the Heart\n\nOne study has indicated that a user's risk of heart attack more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana7. The researchers suggest that such an effect might occur from marijuana's effects on blood pressure and heart rate and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.\n\n\nEffects on the Lungs\n\nA study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than nonsmokers8. Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses.\n\nEven infrequent abuse can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, often accompanied by a heavy cough. 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 illness, a heightened risk of lung infections, and a greater tendency to obstructed airways9. Smoking marijuana possibly increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the head or neck. A study comparing 173 cancer patients and 176 healthy individuals produced evidence that marijuana smoking doubled or tripled the risk of these cancers10.\n\nMarijuana abuse also has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains irritants and carcinogens9,11. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke12. It also induces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into their carcinogenic form—levels that may accelerate the changes that ultimately produce malignant cells13. Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which increases the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke. These facts suggest that, puff for puff, smoking marijuana may be more harmful to the lungs than smoking tobacco.\n\n\nOther Health Effects\n\nSome of marijuana's adverse health effects may occur because THC impairs the immune system's ability to fight disease. In laboratory experiments that exposed animal and human cells to THC or other marijuana ingredients, the normal disease-preventing reactions of many of the key types of immune cells were inhibited14. In other studies, mice exposed to THC or related substances were more likely than unexposed mice to develop bacterial infections and tumors15,16.\n\n\nEffects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior\n\nResearch clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. Depression
27048
believe it or not, smoking pot has been shown to help most symptoms of M.S. It's not a cure and may not be the best treatment but it works. If smoking bothers you eating marijuanna in cookies or brownies is a good way also.
1062325
My brother did pot to the age 46, he said he smoke about three to four times a week .He started getting head akes, two weeks later he DIED........Doctors said , his intake of this DRUG was the reasen he past  , SO VISIT THE MORG!!!!!! POT HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
677045
Marijuana does not kill you.  (Unless it's from high cholesterol from eating too many munchies :P.) Lung cancer may be a factor - but the same is true of cigarettes, and they are far from illegal!  \n\nI lived in the Caribbean for over a year and am originally from Canada...two of the best places to find marijuana... so I've seen my fair share of chronic users.  I'm yet to see anyone go crazy from pot use... in fact, they are generally very nice, mellow people...especially the Rastafaris I met when living offshore.  That being said, as with anything, moderation is key. If his using is upsetting you, then I would talk to him about it... not because he's using this "drug" but because he's OVERUSING a substance...(the same way you would if he were drunk on alcohol everyday).\n\nI view pot the same way I view alcohol..ie: I think if alcohol is legal that pot should definitely NOT be criminalized.  I've been witness to quite a few violent acts as a result of alcohol use - but am yet to ever see one by someone who's buzzed from puffing on a joint.  If you want to support his desire to experience the Rastafari way, then I would suggest coming to a compromise on how often he should be trying to attain "enlightenment".  \n\nOther than that, try to remember that there is a reason why pot isn't illegal everywhere (there are even countries where you don't need to have a Rx to partake) ...IMHO alcohol is much much worse.
1033418
Pot won't directly affect your diabetes, but many people get the "munchies" while on pot and consume large amounts of junk food and candy.  So you will have to watch out for that and avoid the urge to binge on food.
128677
The following are some of the common side effects of using marijuana:\n\n    * Trouble remembering things\n    * Sleepiness\n    * Anxiety\n    * Paranoia (feeling that people are “out to get you”)\n    * Altered time perception \n\nUsing marijuana for a long time makes some people lose interest in school, work, relationships and other activities. It may also cause legal problems. Using marijuana can be especially dangerous in certain situations, such as when you are driving.\n\nThose things don't sound good to me.
652355
Drinking and smoking pot is somehow OK.But smoking drinking and using viagra will probably cause him a heart attack or a bleed in his brain...will deffinately harm his brain and heart badly even if these things dont occur in the beggining...not to mention about his liver and kidneys...\nhe has to quit this crazy habbit if he wants to live or at least live as much as normal people do...\nby the way..for his information..smoking causes impotence if he quits smoking pot and drinks small amounts and start living a proper life his sexual problems will probably fade away so that he wont have to use viagra..