The THC in the marijuana plant resembles a chemical called anandamide naturally produced in the body which binds to cannabinoid receptors and play an important role in brain development and function. This system influences pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement THC overrides this system which causes altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.
Marijuana also affects brain development and in young people the effects on thinking and memory may last a long time or even be permanent. Studies of adolescent marijuana users showed a significant reduction of connectivity in areas of the brain responsible for learning and memory. Further studies showed a drop of IQ by 8 points among people 13-38 who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens. These cognitive abilities were not fully restored even in those who quit smoking marijuana as adults. This was not as significant who started using marijuana as adults.
Marijuana use has equal if not more serious consequences on the lungs than tobacco smoke. The effects of marijuana on the heart are equally as surprising. It raises your heart rate dramatically and increases the risk of heart attack by nearly 5 times within the first hour of use. Chronic marijuana use and mental illness also come hand in hand. Marijuana use has been shown to worsen mental illnesses and cause psychosis. Those who start to use marijuana at a young age are at an increased risk of having problems later in life.
Marijuana is addictive, it is estimated that 9% of users become addicted. For those who start young the numbers increase to 17% and chronic uses are 25-50% more likely to become addicted. Reportedly withdrawal symptoms include irritability, sleeplessness, decrease in appetite, anxiety, and drug craving.
www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
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