As THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel euphoric or high by acting on the brain's reward system, which is made up of regions that govern the response to pleasurable things like sex and chocolate, as well as to most drugs of abuse. THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do: by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine.
Along with euphoria, relaxation is another frequently reported effect in human studies. Other effects, which vary dramatically among different users, include heightened sensory perception (e.g., brighter colours), laughter, altered perception of time, and increased appetite. After a while, the euphoria subsides, and the user may feel sleepy or depressed. Occasionally, marijuana use may produce anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic.
Marijuana use impairs a person's ability to form new memories and to shift focus. THC also disrupts coordination and balance by binding to receptors in the cerebellum and basal gangliaparts of the brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time. Therefore, learning, doing complicated tasks, participating in athletics, and driving are also affected.
Marijuana users who have taken large doses of the drug may experience an acute psychosis, which includes hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of personal identity. Short-term psychotic reactions to high concentrations of THC are distinct from longer-lasting, schizophrenia-like disorders that have been associated with the use of cannabis in vulnerable individuals.
Not surprisingly, marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.
It doesn't excuse behaviour ... but may put it all in perspective.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 4th of August 2014 07:54:57 PM
Big Gorilla said
08:16 PM Aug 4, 2014
Is this something you've put together from your own experiences John ?...
rockylizard said
08:20 PM Aug 4, 2014
moamajohn said
08:28 PM Aug 4, 2014
Sadly John, I think hooch is the least of our future worries, this Ice scares the crap out of me for my tiny grandkids ! I live on the Murray and it is getting a real worry in many of the towns the length of our river already. John
Me too billeeeeeee... It seems to be getting easier to find thing I need to learn AGAIN!!!!
Aussie Paul.
Big Gorilla said
09:27 PM Aug 4, 2014
moamajohn wrote:
Sadly John, I think hooch is the least of our future worries, this Ice scares the crap out of me for my tiny grandkids ! I live on the Murray and it is getting a real worry in many of the towns the length of our river already. John
You're not wrong John. When I lived in the Philippines, you could by a kilo of grass for around $60.00. Today it costs not much more. Only problem then was, if caught with more than 750 grams, it was the death penalty. One stick would get you 6 years in the can. But I did see "Ice" as it's called now. It came into The Philippines late 1980s and is called Shabu. Very cheap and highly addictive. I've seen Aussie expats there get onto Shabu with devastating effects. Shabu addicts are all over the country. Sadly it's getting a hold here in Aussie and other western countries... It's worse than heroin by far..
Cloak said
06:53 AM Aug 5, 2014
I find a nice view and a cup of coffee drug enough.
Vic41 said
09:39 AM Aug 5, 2014
Good article John, thanks.
My understanding is that the effects when mixed with alcohol and driving can be a lethal combination, however I am no expert in this field and this is just what I have read over the years.
jules47 said
10:29 AM Aug 5, 2014
One thing you didn't say in your post John (RL) - was that sometimes you can see in 3D!!!!!!! Especially when watching football on the tele!!!!
And - it is indeed a "gateway" drug - straight to the fridge or the biscuit tin - or your neighbour to beg for chocolate!!!!!
Big Gorilla said
11:31 AM Aug 5, 2014
jules47 wrote:
One thing you didn't say in your post John (RL) - was that sometimes you can see in 3D!!!!!!! Especially when watching football on the tele!!!!
And - it is indeed a "gateway" drug - straight to the fridge or the biscuit tin - or your neighbour to beg for chocolate!!!!!
I believe it's called the "Munchies" !!
george57 said
08:35 AM Aug 6, 2014
OMG....Fatdog is showing all the symptoms especially the Munchies....Do you think my pooch is on the hooch?
Big Gorilla said
09:52 AM Aug 6, 2014
You may have seen this as I've posted it previously !!
How does marijuana use affect your brain?
As THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel euphoric or high by acting on the brain's reward system, which is made up of regions that govern the response to pleasurable things like sex and chocolate, as well as to most drugs of abuse. THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do: by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine.
Along with euphoria, relaxation is another frequently reported effect in human studies. Other effects, which vary dramatically among different users, include heightened sensory perception (e.g., brighter colours), laughter, altered perception of time, and increased appetite. After a while, the euphoria subsides, and the user may feel sleepy or depressed. Occasionally, marijuana use may produce anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic.
Marijuana use impairs a person's ability to form new memories and to shift focus. THC also disrupts coordination and balance by binding to receptors in the cerebellum and basal gangliaparts of the brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time. Therefore, learning, doing complicated tasks, participating in athletics, and driving are also affected.
Marijuana users who have taken large doses of the drug may experience an acute psychosis, which includes hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of personal identity. Short-term psychotic reactions to high concentrations of THC are distinct from longer-lasting, schizophrenia-like disorders that have been associated with the use of cannabis in vulnerable individuals.
Not surprisingly, marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.
It doesn't excuse behaviour ... but may put it all in perspective.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 4th of August 2014 07:54:57 PM
Is this something you've put together from your own experiences John ?...
Me too billeeeeeee... It seems to be getting easier to find thing I need to learn AGAIN!!!!
Aussie Paul.
You're not wrong John. When I lived in the Philippines, you could by a kilo of grass for around $60.00. Today it costs not much more. Only problem then was, if caught with more than 750 grams, it was the death penalty. One stick would get you 6 years in the can. But I did see "Ice" as it's called now. It came into The Philippines late 1980s and is called Shabu. Very cheap and highly addictive. I've seen Aussie expats there get onto Shabu with devastating effects. Shabu addicts are all over the country. Sadly it's getting a hold here in Aussie and other western countries... It's worse than heroin by far..
Good article John, thanks.
My understanding is that the effects when mixed with alcohol and driving can be a lethal combination, however I am no expert in this field and this is just what I have read over the years.
And - it is indeed a "gateway" drug - straight to the fridge or the biscuit tin - or your neighbour to beg for chocolate!!!!!
I believe it's called the "Munchies" !!
You may have seen this as I've posted it previously !!
George, fat dog is a very smart Hooch, Opps,, I mean Pooch, as we all know ,, Fatdog is a reflection of his Master,, see you at Greens this Summer,,,
Stay excited George........ Billeeeeeee
-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Wednesday 6th of August 2014 05:48:05 PM