Posts Tagged marijuana effects

Old Films About Marijuana

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books on April 21st, 2010

Before Pineapple Express, Adventureland and Smiley Face, there were several films that bravely discussed the issue of marijuana. Here are some of the marijuana films of interest:

MarihuanaMarihuana (1936). Well, the title of the movie says what it’s all about — marijuana, weed, pot. Classified as an exploitation film, Marihuana follows the life of Burma, a girl who attends a party, smokes marijuana and goes skin-dipping with other girls. One of the girls drowned. Later in the film, Burma becomes pregnant, gives up her child for adoption, becomes a drug dealer and plans to kidnap her sister’s adopted daughter, who turns out to be her own.

Reefer Madness (1936). Another exploitation film, it presents the events that happened after pushers lured high school students to try marijuana. It was originally made to show parents the dangers of cannabis by using tragic events such as hit-and-run accident, manslaughter, rape and suicide. The film was not well received then. It was rediscovered in 1970s as an unintentional comedy. In 2004, major American film studio 20th Century Fox released a colorized version of the film on DVD.

Assassin of Youth (1937). Although often referred as a clone to Reefer Madness, this film is a thriller that reflects the ill effects of marijuana use. It showcases marijuana-dealing youths, all-night parties, obscenity and violence.

Recent films on marijuana, however, are less critical of marijuana compared with these old ones.

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Common Health Effects of Smoking Marijuana

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction on February 13th, 2010

Marijuana has been one of the most prevalent drugs out there. Compared to other drugs like ecstasy or steroids, marijuana exists to be one of the most accessible and most popular drugs in the black market. Marijuana’s direct and long-term effect to the brain and body has a very wide variation because of its complicated chemical make-up, but there are still side effects that are common to most heavy marijuana users.

Here are some known effects of marijuana to the body and brain:

marijuana smokingPsychological Health

Studies have showed a relationship between marijuana use and an increase in depression, schizophrenia, suicidal thoughts and anxiety. Although scientists cannot be conclusive to whether or not the user has these symptoms even before the drug use, there is basis to believe that the marijuana intensified an already existing case.

The marijuana is known for its effect to a person’s disposition. The pleasure center of the brain produces an instant easygoing attitude that prevents the user to acknowledge potential threats. It also has been known to lower the resistance to negative outside influences and an impairment of the user’s judgement.

Health of Heart and Lungs

There have been studies that found that the risk of heart attack quadruples within the first hour after smoking marijuana. The hypothesis being that marijuana causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure thus causing a reduction in the body’s capability to carry oxygen.

The smoke from the marijuana joint also increases the risk of cancer. Marijuana, when smoked on a habitual basis, can lead to serious pulmonary consequences. In the short run, there might be a restriction in breathing, increased coughing and a lowering of resistance against diseases of the lungs such as pneumonia.

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