How much marijuana is too much?

There is no easy way to answer this question. Marijuana can have negative effects on school or work performance, or personal relationships, depending on characteristics of the user. Other people, such as those who have heart conditions, asthma, or are pregnant, are advised not to use marijuana at all because of potential cardiovascular damage, lung problems, and harm to the fetus. Women who smoke should also be aware that marijuana crosses the placental barrier and is transmitted through breast milk. One study found that children whose mothers smoked marijuana during pregnancy had memory and decision-making deficits as compared with other children whose mothers did not smoke. Finally, for some men, marijuana can lead to lower sperm count and motility.

Is marijuana addictive?

Individuals who use marijuana are at risk for becoming addicted or dependent on it. There is a distinctive withdrawal syndrome for marijuana and THC. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, mild agitation, insomnia, sleep disturbance, nausea, and cramping, as well as sweating, runny nose, and decreased appetite. People who are more vulnerable to becoming addicted to marijuana are young adults and people with psychiatric disorders. Men are more likely than women to become drug dependent and Caucasians are about twice as likely as African American individuals to be dependent. In one study, 83% of adolescents who had used marijuana more than 6 times developed dependence on the drug.

Research has demonstrated that genetics plays a role in marijuana abuse. Specifically, a person's genetic makeup has a significant influence on whether a person considers marijuana pleasurable. Clearly, those who derive more pleasure from a drug will use it more.

At heavy doses, marijuana has been noted to produce irritability, apathy, social isolation, paranoid thinking, lowered motivation, and impaired educational performance, even in people who are not impaired in other ways.

How does marijuana affect cognition?

One of the primary effects of marijuana is its impact on short-term memory. Marijuana affects the hippocampus, which is the primary memory center in the brain. The effects of THC appear similar to a lesion on the hippocampus.

Marijuana use has been shown to impair performance on auditory attention tasks; this is due to the significant reduction in blood flow to the temporal lobe of the brain.

Does marijuana affect driving?

It is well documented that marijuana use impairs motor skills on a number of tasks, such as hand steadiness, divided attention, sustained attention, etc. Of note, a study of seasoned airplane pilots showed that even 24 hours following one marijuana cigarette performance on flight simulator tests was impaired. Prior to the test, the pilots were sure that their performance would not be affected. Performance while driving a car under the influence of marijuana (or up to one day later) would similarly be affected.

Is marijuana harmful?

Some say, "it doesn't kill you, so it must be better than alcohol." Research confirms that marijuana overdoses and withdrawal don't result in death as they can with alcohol. However, certain harmful aspects should be considered. For example, tobacco is the predominant cause of lung diseases such as cancer and emphysema, and marijuana smoke contains many of the components of tobacco. For example, tar. As much as four times the amount of tar can be deposited in the lungs of marijuana smokers as in the lungs of tobacco smokers. The difference is largely accounted for by the lack of filters on most marijuana cigarettes, as well as the smoking technique differences, which, with marijuana typically consist of deeper inhalation and longer holding of smoke in the lungs.

There is a greater chance of respiratory illness in people who smoke marijuana. Many report symptoms of bronchitis, including chronic cough and difficulty breathing.

Why do people smoke marijuana?

Some people smoke for the relaxing effects or to help them sleep. Other people smoke to make things more interesting and liven up social situations. Still others smoke to ease depression or painful feelings. However, along with the good effects, marijuana users typically report several downsides. Many regular users find that are eating more food and putting on weight, or doing things while they are high that they later regret. Others report the financial cost as a downside to using. Some experienced users find that it is not as enjoyable as it used to be, that it makes them tired, or that they have difficulty sleeping when they are not using.

For those who decide to cut down or quit, each path is different. For some, that may mean avoiding friends or situations that lead to marijuana use. For others, it may mean making the choice to spend money on other things, or time on other activities. Some of the suggestions at the end of this feedback report might be helpful. Each person is different, but when individuals choose to cut down or quit, they commonly report increased energy, improved breathing, and more time for other activities such as schoolwork or sports.

How can I make it easier to cut down or quit?

How much alcohol is too much?

Current research indicates that college men who drink five or more standard drinks in a day, and college women who drink four or more per day, are at a higher risk for health, academic and social problems. For some people, however, even 1-2 drinks per day is too many. Pregnant women, for example, are best advised to abstain from alcohol altogether because even small amounts have been found to increase risk to the unborn child. Other health problems (such as liver disease) or medications make even moderate drinking unsafe. Other people find that they are unable to drink moderately, and having even one or two drinks leads to feeling intoxicated.