Psychology and Mental Health Essay

Psychology and Mental Health Essay Psychology and Mental Health Essay MARIJUANA, HOW IT EFFECTS YOUR BODY AND MIND Marijuana is the most common illegal drug used in the United States, containing a mind altering chemical which is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC quickly passes from the lungs and into the bloodstream, carrying the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. When marijuana reaches the brain, it causes distorted feelings, slower coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning as well as memory. Marijuana has a variety of short and long term effects, especially on your heart and mental health. It raises your heart rate by twenty to one hundred percent shortly after smoking it, your raised heart rate can last up to 3 hours. This might eventually cause heart palpitations. Marijuana is very irritating to your lungs as well which can cause respiratory problems such as a daily cough, phlegm, more frequent severe chest illness and a risk of lung infections. Marijuana can cause problems in daily life or make a person’s existing issues worse. Heavy users usually report less satisfaction of life, poorer mental and physical health, relationship issues, and less educational and career success. Marijuana is associated with a higher drop out rate from school. School aged users who start using marijuana regularly tend to lose interest and have no motivation to do their schoolwork, as it also disturbs their thinking process, reading comprehension, and verbal as well as math skills. People who use marijuana in the workforce also experience an increase in absence from work, tardiness, accidents at work, and difficulty keeping a job. As far as the mental affects go: Marijuana can alter your judgment and motor coordination while driving which can cause accidents. A driver’s thinking and reflexes become slower which in turn makes it hard