Negative Implications of Using Cannabis on General and Oral Health
Cannabis or Marijuana is highly abused illegal drug in United States. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report, a lot more than 15.2 million men and women were abusing Cannabis in 2008. Cannabis abuse is linked with several negative effects, both physically and mentally, often involving violence and injury. Numerous individuals are finding addicted to Cannabis unaware of its harmful effects. Following are the harmful effects of Cannabis abuse:
Effects on general wellness
There are several effects of Cannabis on general wellness. It mainly effects immune system, respiratory program, cardiovascular system and neurological program. The Cannabis virtually affects every single program in the body. The general well being effects of cannabis are:
• Somatic effects
Somatic effects of Cannabis abuse consist of decrease in blood pressure, increased heart rate, red eyes, dry mouth, dilation of blood vessels in eyes causing redness, reduced intra-occular pressure, enlargement of pupils, sensation of cold or hot hands and feet, increased craving for food.
• Heart attack
There is a high risk of heart attack in Cannabis smokers. The inhalation of the smoke increases the heart rate from 20 to 50 percent. The heart rate may stay high for about 2 hours. It also results in decreased oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Due to this, there will be complicated modifications in blood pressure and could result in heart attack.
• Effects on lungs
Cannabis abusers have difficulties of rapid lung destruction. The carcinogenic hydrocarbons present in Marijuana increases the risk of cancer amongst its abusers. Cannabis abuse can trigger acute and chronic bronchitis, stinging of mouth and throat accompanied by cough, cough along with phlegm production, much more frequent chest illnesses, higher risk of lung infections, obstructed airways, emphysema.
• Causes cancer
Cannabis smoke has 50 to 70 percent much more carcinogens when compared to tobacco smoke. Cannabis smokers are more prone to lung and neck cancer compared to cigarette smokers. One Cannabis joint smoking is said to be equivalent to 20 cigarettes.
Effects on mental well being
Cannabis abuse can trigger mental illnesses or it worsens the existing psychotic symptoms. THC, a psychoactive chemical present in Marijuana, has deteriorating effects on brain. The THC, once inhaled, passes from lungs into blood stream and reaches brain. The THC molecules on reaching brain bind to cannabinoid receptors and impair its functioning. On prolonged abuse of Cannabis, there will be mental illnesses, mood swings etc.,
• Psychoactive effects
Psychoactive effects of Cannabis mainly depends on the amount of intake of drug, environment and health of a person. Cannabis intake gives ‘high’ like euphoria or altered state of consciousness. The drug abuser will have enhanced appreciation for music, humor, colors appear a lot more intense, nostalgia, improvement of working of senses. Cannabis abuse will result in anxiety, irritability, paranoia, agitation, suicidal ideation, depression, schizophrenia, distorted perceptions, impaired co-ordination, lack of interest and concentration, lack of problem solving ability.
• Neurological effects
Cannabis has adverse effects on nervous program of a individual. THC chemicals present in Cannabis attach to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These chemicals interfere with the communication between neurons. These chemicals impact the region known as hippocampus and results in short term memory loss. They also result in alteration in behavioral pattern of a abuser.
Effects on oral well being
Cannabis abusers have quite poor oral health and hygiene. They have increased risks of dental carries and periodontal diseases. Abusers are majorly prone to numerous oral infections due to the fact of the immunosuppressing ability of Cannabis. Cannabis smoking and chewing causes Cannabis stomatitis (chronic inflammation orally), white patches in the mouth (leukoplakia), thickening of oral skin (hyperkeratosis). Cannabis abuse outcomes in pre-malignant (cancerous) lesions in the mouth. Ultimately, Cannabis abuse results in oral cancer.
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Write-up from articlesbase.com
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