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Information:
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The effects of smoking Cannabis are usually lighter than those of many other recreational psychoactive substances. People are generally capable of carrying out normal actions and activities while high.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/images/cannabis_summary1.jpg
POSITIVE
* mood lift, euphoria
* laughter
* relaxation, stress reduction
* creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily
* increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music.
* increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
* change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection.
* pain relief (headaches, cramps)
* reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
* boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny
NEUTRAL
* general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives)
* increased appetite, snacky-ness
* slowness (slow driving, talking)
* change in vision such as sharpened colors or lights
* closed-eye visuals (somewhat uncommon)
* tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
* stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
* blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
* mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
* interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought.
* cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
* racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
* increased emotional impact of music
* Time sense altered: cars seem like they are moving too fast, time dilation and compression are common at higher doses
NEGATIVE
* 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
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
* mild to moderate, non life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur after daily use in some users. These may last for 1-6 weeks after cessation of use and can include anxiety, anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure), headaches, general unease/discomfort, difficulty sleeping, and a desire to smoke pot. Severity of symptoms is related to frequency of use and individual sensitivity.
* slight loss of appetite
* finding non-stoned life a bit dull, increased boredom
DESCRIPTION
The primary effects sought by those using cannabis recreationally are euphoria, relaxation, and changes in perception. Effects vary depending on dosage, with effects at low doses including a sense of well-being, mild enhancement of senses (smell, taste, hearing), subtle changes in thought and expression, talkativeness, giggling, increased appreciation of music, increased appetite, and mild closed-eye visuals. At higher doses, sense of time is altered, attention span and memory are frequently affected, and thought processes and mental perception may be significantly altered.
One of the most common comments about cannabis effects is that it enhances the appreciation of sensory experiences without substantially changing the perceptual experience. Many people attribute their love of music, appreciation for new forms of music, and ability to play instruments to the use of cannabis.
At overly high doses, the effects are often likened to other psychedelics and panic and dysphoria (bad mood) are common. High doses, especially when taken orally, can sometimes result iin difficult experiences and trips to the emergency room in response to racing heart, extreme confusion, short term memory loss, and panic. After high dose experiences, especially among those who are not regular users, after effects can last 1-2 days.
Paradoxically, although cannabis is normally considered a relaxant / depressant, its effects are stimulating in a substantial portion of those who use it. While some people us it to help them sleep, others cannot sleep for 3-6 hours after their last smoke.
My dad always told me "if it grows in the ground then its probably OK"
You pretty much covered the basics with your post. I have no issues with weed. I really don't care for "potheads" which are those who sit around all day and smoke pot. That just turns you stupid.
Good thing your dad never came across those poisonous mushrooms!
But yeah I don't really have anything against weed. Fairly neutral to all drugs in general actually.
_________________
Quote:
I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.
I definitely look back at my pot smoking days and think it was pretty stupid, but I still have drug neutrality myself because I dont think you should be forced into NOT making that choice.
but at the same time i wish i never got into it or my friends, but thats only because of the anti social behavior that seems to have developed within all my friends because of it. All anyone really does is anymore is smoke up.
If thats not happening we arent doing anything else.
My dad always told me "if it grows in the ground then its probably OK"
You pretty much covered the basics with your post. I have no issues with weed. I really don't care for "potheads" which are those who sit around all day and smoke pot. That just turns you stupid.
Tell your dad to go out and eat some random mushrooms. Not the kind that you buy, but the ones you see in the ground. If it comes from the ground, its ok right?
And it doesnt make you stupid, some of the most intelligent men have smoked marijuana
Although 'some of the most intelligent men have smoked marijuana', I think that he's talking about the ones that pretty much devote their life to pot. It's kind of stupid, relying on a drug like that for.. everything. I get a little pissed when I see kids like that, the type that smoke up 6 times a day and can't have meals without being stoned.. It gets to a point where it's ridiculous. Although pot isn't physically addictive, I've seen so many kids that just rely on the drug to be happy, and I'm sorry, but that's just wrong.
As a drug user, I obviously don't condone drug use, but I do tend to avoid those who seem to be addicted to certain drugs.. like meth, and coke, and the like.
I completley agree with Sunny, I smoke weed every second weekend, just to relax from the world, and when I mostly do I like to write things down. I have random thoughts that come to my head. I've even thought of writing books when I was high but never could be bothered. I can't remember the last time I had the giggles when I was high though.
Marijuana
The most widely used illegal drug in the United States, marijuana resembles green, brown, or gray dried parsley with stems or seeds. A stronger form of marijuana called hashish (hash) looks like brown or black cakes or balls. Marijuana is often called a gateway drug because frequent use often leads to the use of stronger drugs.
Street Names: pot, weed, blunts, chronic, grass, reefer, herb, ganja
How It's Used: Marijuana is typically smoked in cigarette (joints), hollowed-out cigars (blunts), pipes (bowls), or water pipes (bongs). Some people mix it into foods or brew it as a tea.
Effects & Dangers:
Marijuana can affect mood and coordination. Users may experience mood swings that range from stimulated or happy to drowsy or depressed.
Marijuana also elevates heart rate and blood pressure. Some people get red eyes and feel very sleepy or hungry. The drug can also make some people paranoid or cause them to hallucinate.
Marijuana is as tough on the lungs as cigarettes - steady smokers suffer coughs, wheezing, and frequent colds.
Addictiveness: Teens who use marijuana can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more marijuana to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning.
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