what are the long term effects of smoking pot?
479564
From what I have seen personally, you obviously get dependants on it and it makes you slow down, both mentally and physically.  I have also heard it kills too many brain cells to be worth the good.
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!
754856
"Animal research has shown that the potential for cannabinoid psychological dependence does exist, and includes mild withdrawal symptoms. Although not as severe as that for alcohol, heroin, or cocaine dependence, marijuana withdrawal is usually characterized by insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, irritability, anger, increased muscle activity (jerkiness), and aggression after sudden cessation of chronic use as a result of physiological tolerance. Prolonged marijuana use produces both pharmacokinetic changes (how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted) and pharmacodynamic changes (how the drug interacts with target cells) to the body. These changes require the user to consume higher doses of the drug to achieve a common desirable effect, and reinforce the body’s metabolic systems for synthesizing and eliminating the drug more efficiently.\n\nPreliminary research, published in the April 2006 issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, indicates that cannabis addiction can be offset by a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives. Participants in the study (previously diagnosed with marijuana dependence) received either vouchers as incentives to stay drug free, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or both over a 14-week period. At the end of 3 months, 43 percent of those who received both treatments were no longer using marijuana, compared with 40 percent of the voucher group, and 30 percent of the therapy group. At the end of a 12-month follow-up, 37 percent of those who got both treatments remained abstinent, compared with 17 percent of the voucher group, and 23 percent of the therapy group."\n\nThis, and more, available on the free, online encyclopedia, Wikipedia at:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_issues_and_the_effects_of_cannabis\n\nThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a report entitled, "Combination of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Incentives Enhance Treatment for Marijuana Addiction" at this web site:\nhttp://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr2006/nida-01.htm\n\nHope this helps!
296250
Hallucinogenic drugs cause both physical and psychological effects on humans. The physical effects of these drugs include: dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, appetite loss, sleeplessness, tremors, headaches, nausea, sweating, heart palpitations, blurring of vision, memory loss, trembling, and itching. A user of hallucinogenic drugs will also experience a number of psychological alterations in the brain. These drugs may cause hallucinations and illusions as well, as the amplification of sense, and the alterations of thinking and self-awareness. It is quite possible to have a bad reaction to hallucinogenic drugs. This is referred to as a "bad trip" and may cause panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. The long-term effects of these drugs can be quite dangerous. These long-term effects may include: flashbacks, mood swings, impaired thinking, unexpected outbursts of violence and eventually possibly depression that may lead to death or suicide.
477954
Pot has a real effect on pain.  While it is not a pain killer it makes the pain more 'manageable' and you can deal with it.  It also has an effect in reducing nausea caused by some treatments.  The governments assertion that pot is very addictive falls flat when you consider some of those with chronic pain take Demerol, morphine, Oxycontin, etc. on a regular basis and those are some of the most addictive substances on the planet.  How can something that helps be worse than those?
27306
Addictive Potential\n\nLong-term marijuana use can lead to addiction for some people; that is, they use the drug compulsively even though it interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities. Drug craving and withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for long-term marijuana smokers to stop using the drug. People trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, and anxiety(38). They also display increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately one week after the last use of the drug(39).
521350
From an overdose, no. The theorical quanitity of THC that can cause death can't be reached my smoking marijuana. THC would put you to sleep before you reached half of the quanitity. Of coarse, long term abuse is likely to cause cancer and other health problems.  \n\nThen again, most deaths due to alcohol are from what they do while under the influence. Yes, marijuana has the same problem and some people have died due to injuries.
367710
I have smoked for years and I would say the only side effect to quitting has been moodiness and irritability.  I was really cranky and upset for about two weeks.  But now that I don't smoke I definately feel better.  I think my only funny stories are just being paraniod.  Walking into a store and feeling like everyone knows you are high.  \nI think while smoking I was happy and peaceful.  Nothing bothered me at all.  But when I wanted to smoke or I hadn't for a day or so, I had a short temper.
404303
Marijuana is not addicting but if you are useto smoking everyday and quit cold turkey there can be withdrawal symptoms (cold sweats, mood swings, headaches etc.). Your friend can live without it, he just enjoys it. Let him be, eventually it will stop.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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".
556443
god made pot..... man made cigs and alcohol.... make your decision...\n\n\nwhat the other person said is true.. brain cells are reduced.. you wont be able to pass a drug test and get a decent job, and if you keep on.. your chance at ever having kids will be very slim.\nhowver on the other side of that.. it is a natural herb, doctors perscribe it to cancer patients for the pain... and if a dr perscribes it.. it cant be all bad.. right?
605655
Okay, lets concentrate on the effects of Pot, whether you like it or not, i.e. it makes you:\n1)Hungry\n2)Tired\n3)unable to concentrate\n4)lazy\n)Stupid ( After long term use)\n\nNow, create two characters show them as kids and later after traveling two separate paths and meeting again.\nOne would be successful and the other lives in his Moms basement. You know which one smokes Pot.\n-kevin82abn
233607
Methamphetamine affects your brain. In the short term, meth causes mind and mood changes such as anxiety, euphoria, and depression. Long-term effects can include chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, and permanent psychological damage.\n\nMethamphetamine affects your body. Over “amping” on any type of speed is pretty risky. Creating a false sense of energy, these drugs push the body faster and further than it's meant to go. It increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke.\n\nMethamphetamine affects your self-control. Meth is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause aggression and violent or psychotic behavior.\n\nMethamphetamine is not what it seems. Even speed drugs are not always safe. Giga-jolts of the well-known stimulants caffeine or ephedrine can cause stroke or cardiac arrest when overused or used by people with a sensitivity to them.\n\nMethamphetamine can kill you. An overdose of meth can result in heart failure. Long-term physical effects such as liver, kidney, and lung damage may also kill you.\n\nThere are many places to get free help and support. Here are a few:\nhttp://www.crystalmeth.org/\nhttp://www.addict-help.com/\nhttp://www.methmadness.com/recoverylinks.html
204019
It can mess with your head(well duh) but I mean more than just at the moment.  It can cause or make depression worse, it doesn't cause mental disorders but can make them worse.  It kills motivation, causes cancer, causes impotence.  Its emotionally addicting, which can be just as bad as a physical addiction.  What you really have to think about is why do it in the first place, there aren't many reasons to smoke pot other than at the moment it feels good, but there are a lot of reasons not to.  I have smoked pot for years, and honestly I wish I had never started.  I wonder where my life would be if I hadn't.
545368
How Smoking Affects Your Body\nThere's hardly a part of the human body that's not affected by the chemicals in the cigarettes you smoke. Let's take a tour of your body to look at how smoking affects it.\n\nStarting at the Top\n\nAs a smoker, you're at risk for cancer of the mouth. Tobacco smoke can also cause gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. The teeth become unsightly and yellow. Smokers may experience frequent headaches. And lack of oxygen and narrowed blood vessels to the brain can lead to strokes.\n\nLungs and Bronchi\n\nMoving down to your chest, smoke passes through the bronchi, or breathing tubes. Hydrogen cyanide and other chemicals in the smoke attack the lining of the bronchi, inflaming them and causing that chronic smoker's cough. Because the bronchi are weakened, you're more likely to get bronchial infections. Mucus secretion in your lungs is impaired, also leading to chronic coughing. Smokers are 10 times as likely to get lung cancer and emphysema as nonsmokers.\n\nSmoking and the Heart\n\nThe effects of smoking on your heart are devastating. Nicotine raises blood pressure and makes the blood clot more easily. Carbon monoxide robs the blood of oxygen and leads to the development of cholesterol deposits on the artery walls. All of these effects add up to an increased risk of heart attack. In addition, the poor circulation resulting from cholesterol deposits can cause strokes, loss of circulation in fingers and toes and impotence.\n\nSmoking and the Body's Organs\n\nThe digestive system is also affected. The tars in smoke can trigger cancer of the esophagus and throat. Smoking causes increased stomach acid secretion, leading to heartburn and ulcers. Smokers have higher rates of deadly pancreatic cancer. Many of the carcinogens from cigarettes are excreted in the urine where their presence can cause bladder cancer, which is often fatal. High blood pressure from smoking can damage the kidneys.\n\nThe Results\n\nThe health effects of smoking have results we can measure. Forty percent of men who are heavy smokers will die before they reach retirement age, as compared to only 18 percent of nonsmokers. Women who smoke face an increased risk of cervical cancer, and pregnant women who smoke take a chance with the health of their unborn babies.\n\nBut the good news is that when you quit smoking your body begins to repair itself. Ten years after you quit, your body has repaired most of the damage smoking caused. Those who wait until cancer or emphysema has set in aren't so lucky—these conditions are usually fatal. It's one more reason to take the big step and quit now.
672196
Short-term cocaine effects include: \n1. Increased blood pressure\n2. Constricted blood vessels\n3. Dilated pupils\n4. Mental alertness\n5. Increased energy\n6. Increased heart rate\n7. Decreased appetite\n8. Increased temperature\n\nOther long-term cocaine effects include: \n1. Addiction\n2. Paranoia\n3. Irritability\n4. Restlessness\n5. Auditory hallucinations\n6. Mood disturbances\n\nwell, those are just the LITTLE effects of cocaine.. if you want a thorought reading on its effects, read this sight below, i find it very useful and brief and straightforward in the effects of cocaine and a lot more..\n\nand since i think God is calling me to type more and give you a lot more information, ill summarize the effects for you.. here it follows..\n\n1. cocaine effects could lead to permamnent damage, addiction and DEATH!\n2. CARDIAC ARREST or SEIZURES and RESPIRATORY FAILURE..!! (oh my, would you like to look so ogly dying because you can no longer breathe?)\n3. when you try using cocaine, the initial effects is that you will have increased energy leading to great productiveness at the beginning and longer endurance, but to attain this, you will have to consume more and more cocaine, your body will urge you to have more that will lead to addiction!!! (would you like your friend to be an addict and if get caught be thrown to jail or a mental ward??)\n4. appetite suppression will lead to a thin figure but this will only urge your body to consume more and more cocaine, and the effest will be none other than aDDICTION again!\n5. when you get addicted to that drug, you will now build a drug tolerance that will yield you to consume much more drugs than you take before, and this follows a great variety of SERIOUS medical condition!\n      *heart disease\n      *heart attacks\n      *respiratory failure\n      *strokes\n      *seizures\n      *gastrointestinal problems\n      *convulsions\n      *nausea\n      *blurred vision\n      *chest pain\n      *fever\n      *muscle spasms\n      *coma.. = DEATH!\n\nif you love your friend like i know you do, please let him/her read this sight. or its better to tell him/her this informations. or rather, seek help, do something wghile you still can. i know you love them, dont you?? \n\n\nhttp://www.friendster.com/profiles/kimpotpot