What are the main health risks when smoking marijuana?

Answer 1

I'm an expert on that. The only disadvantage I find is that your lungs tighten up over time worse that cigarettes would. And you cough up flem. It makes you look stupid in front of other people that don't smoke it.

AnswerIt causes short-term memory problems (although this typically clears up once the person has quit smoking weed), and it causes lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases, just like cigarettes.

Marijuana actually burns about 3x hotter than cigarettes witch would burn the hairs in your lungs faster witch will create cancerous cells to spread faster. It also coats the neurons in your brain in THC and wont allow the neurons to connect, basically saying that its going to make you dumb. And the only reason why you feel high when you smoke it is because the THC is choking your brain of oxygen as the result of the floaty goofy feeling.

Answer 2

being high

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If you assume that "being high" is the primary effect, the side effects may include:

• In limited quantities: suppression of nausea (particularly for people undergoing chemotherapy) and stimulation of appetite (getting the munchies)
• In higher quantities or over a prolonged period: nausea and vomiting
• Limited, temporary reduction in severity of pain
• Can weaken the immune system, which might make it more difficult for the body to fight infections. This makes it a trade-off for people undergoing chemotherapy who use it to combat nausea but already have a compromised immune system.
• Heart and blood pressure problems; rapid heartbeat, short-term high blood pressure. It might also increase the risk of a having heart attack
• Makes seizure disorders worse in some people; in other people it might help to control seizures.
• Extreme sleepiness - especially in people already taking sedatives or sleep aiding medicines like Ambien
• Dry mouth
• Dry or red eyes
• Lung problems including bronchitis. Inhaling ANY kind of smoke, whether it be a campfire or pot, will irritate the linings of your lungs, also it tends to dry out the membranes - which is why dry mouth and dry eyes are not uncommon
• Impaired mental functioning
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Panic reactions - especially in people already taking Prozac
• Hallucinations
• Flashbacks
• Depression
• Sexual problems

• Marijuana passes through the placenta and can slow the growth of the fetus. Marijuana use during pregnancy is also associated with childhood leukemia and abnormalities in the fetus.
• The dronabinol (THC) in marijuana passes into breast milk and extensive marijuana use during breast-feeding may result in slowed development in the baby.
• May increase risk of using anesthesia (when having surgery) by slowing the central nervous system too much when combined with the anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery.
• May result in extra bleeding and bruising in people who are taking anti-coagulants (like Warfarin)

Note that not all people experience these side effects, but enough people DO that they are KNOWN side effects.

Answer 3

The legality of marijuana aside, there is no permanent brain damage associated with marijuana use and no one has ever died from it. It is considered far safer than alcohol and cigarettes (and just about any other recreational drug).

However, it is not particularly healthy to inhale smoke, whether it originates from burning marijuana, tobacco, or anything. Heavy marijuana smokers can develop various upper respiratory complications.

Answer 4

* Nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives * Coughing, Asthma, upper respiratory problems * Difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D'Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006) * racing heart, agitation, feeling tense * mild to severe anxiety * panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much) * headaches * dizziness, confusion * lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure) * paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent * possible psychological dependence on cannabis * clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses * can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders

Cited: http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_effects.shtml

Answer 5

No negative health side effects have been discovered. However, the danger of spending the rest of your life in jail for possession of marijuana is worth considering if it's illegal where you live.

Answer 6

Smoking low doses of Marijuana rarely has major health risks but the side affects of smoking marijuana are rapid heart beat, increased rate of breathing, increased blood pressure, red eyes, hunger, and slow reaction time.

Answer 7

Smoke is not good for the lungs; you inhale carbon monoxide. Marijuana can make you sluggish and lazy, as well.