Perhaps no other herb is as controversial and widely used as weed. Known by a wide variety of names like cannabis, marijuana, ganja, pot, and grass, the mention of weed invokes the two extremes of emotion—affection and contempt. Howsoever anybody may hate weed, no one can discount the fact that it has fuelled the creative pursuits of the majority of famous people. But having said that, those who managed to elude the lure of the weed fumes recognized the extreme health hazards that prolonged use of it can cause. This was the prime reason as to why the use of weed was made illegal a century ago. While the debate on whether banning this herb has increased its consumption or not would go on, the underlying fact is that some of the best known scientists in the world have firmly expressed their opinion against the use of weed. And they are increasingly arming themselves with evidence. The proofs that they show are very telling. No doubt this herb when used as a medicine has some benefits, but its adverse effects are extremely worse. Read below to know what the various effects of weeds are.
Positive Effects Of Weed
Negative Effects Of Weed
Positive Effects Of Weed
- Weed has been traditionally used in ancient medicine for a variety of treatments. It was extensively used because of its effectiveness in controlling pain. Even in present times many countries approve the use of weed for medicinal purposes. Weed can also be used to kill brain tumor cells, so that the surgery and treatment becomes more effective.
- According to various studies, weed impacts the alpha wave activity in the brain positively. It is the alpha wave activity that is responsible for relaxing the brain and the body.
- According to researchers from Queen Mary College, University of London, the chemicals of weed that are responsible for altering the mood can also be effectively used to control seizures and pain.
Negative Effects Of Weed
- Weed often leads to various short term effects. The most common is the distorted sense of perception. There is a blurring of the sights, sounds, time and touch sensation.
- Another short term effect that is prevalent after the consumption of weed is the problem with memory and learning. Intake of weed results in trouble with thinking and problem-solving.
- Other short term effects include loss of coordination, reduce in the blood pressure and increased heart rate. Weed can also produce anxiety, fear, distrust or panic.
- The effect of weed on the brain is however more intense. Consumption of weed can cause hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory and disorientation. This is because the cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells are acted on by delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Since the cannabinoid receptors are found in the brain parts that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, weed can affect all these.
- Weed intake adversely affects the health of the heart. It increases the rate of the heart beat, while at the same time; it results in a drop in the blood pressure. The weed increases the heart beat by 20 to 50 beats per second. Therefore, weed results in greater risk of heart attack.
- Weed also affects the lungs. Weed, when smoked, causes a burning and stinging sensation in the mouth and throat and also causes heavy coughing. Regular smoking of weed can cause cough and phlegm production, acute chest illnesses, a high increase of lung infection and obstructed airways.
- The compounds of weed impair the body’s immune system from fighting diseases and infections by inhibiting the disease preventing actions of key immune cells. As a result, weed can lead to a variety of health problems.
