MARY JANE NOT SO INNOCENT

Pot, herb, grass, weed, Mary Jane, skunk, boom, gangster, kif and ganja.
All of these names describe the greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded
flowers and leaves of the hemp plant scientifically known as Cannabis
sativa, or simply the marijuana plant.

Although the slang names for marijuana give an impression of
lightheartedness towards its use, research has shown that the effects of
marijuana can be harmful and should not be taken lightly.

There are about 400 chemicals in the marijuana plant. The one that affects
the brain the most and is the main active component of marijuana is THC, or
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Researchers have found that THC changes the
way that sensory information gets processed in the hippocampus. The
hippocampus is the area of the brain crucial for learning, memory, and the
integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivations.

A study of college students has shown that skills related to attention,
memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily,
even after 24 hours of non-use. Compared in the study were 65 "heavy
users," users who had smoked marijuana an average of 29 of the past 30
days, and 64 "light users," who had smoked an average of one of the past
30. After a closely monitored 19 to 24 hour period of self-restraint from
marijuana and other illicit drugs and alcohol, the students were given
several standard tests measuring aspects of attention, memory, and
learning. Compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more
errors and had more difficulty sustaining and shifting attention. They also
had difficulty registering, processing, and using information.

These findings suggest that the greater impairment among heavy users is
likely due to an alteration of brain activity produced by marijuana.

Potentially harmful effects of marijuana on the brain and central nervous
system include damage to brain cells that control thinking, emotions,
pleasure, coordination, mood and memory. The pituitary gland, which
regulates hunger, thirst, blood pressure, sexual behavior and the release
of sexual hormones is also damaged.

Other potentially harmful effects of marijuana include damage to the lungs,
eyes and throat, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

It is also possible to develop "tolerance" for marijuana; users may need
increasingly larger doses of the drug to get the same desired results as
previously experienced with smaller amounts.

The effects of marijuana can differ from user to user. For example, males
and females tend to react to, or are affected differently by marijuana.

In males, marijuana can decrease the testosterone level and occasional
cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users can occur. Regular
marijuana use can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, as well as an
increase in abnormal and immature sperm. Marijuana use has been cited as a
contributing factor in the rising problem of infertility in males. Young
males should know potential effects of marijuana use on sex and human
growth processes before they decide to "light up."

Irregular menstrual cycles and raised testosterone levels have been
observed in females who use marijuana on a regular basis. These effects may
be reversible, although it may take several months of abstinence from
marijuana use before menstrual cycles become normal again.

Since it may be hard to think rationally and scientifically when you are
"blazing a joint," the effect of marijuana on health and the body should be
considered first.