Marijuana is quite a natural product that is obtained from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Marijuana is known in many names like grass, weed, pot, skunk and ganja. Since it is obtained from a plant, many researches have been made about the bad as well as good effects of it.

Ancient sages have used marijuana as a medicine for the treatment of some diseases. Even now, it is found beneficial for the treatment of glaucoma, AIDS, cancer, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis. However, it is more known not for its medicinal properties, but for its amazing effect as street drug. The effect of marijuana on brain, scientists say, are like those caused by heroin, cocaine and alcohol. Recent researches say that smoking of marijuana will put the consumer of it to a more dangerous risk of being addicted to other drugs, for instance, heroin or cocaine.

Marijuana is abused in almost all parts of the world with some minor differences in quality. The difference in climate changes the quality of the plant. Marijuana from a particular country may be stronger in chemical content and thus preferred by regular users of it.

Marijuana affects the nerve cells in the section of the brain where our memories are formed, as soon as it is being smoked. As a result, the person loses even his short-term memory and he cannot be able to recall what happened even a few second ago. Short-term memories are so important to every person, as it is required for all our actions that need more than two steps. They may not be able to concentrate on anything and often forget even about themselves. Researches on this aspect show that a high dose of marijuana results in loss of brain cells. Apart from that, regular use of marijuana may lead to some mental diseases like depression, chronic anxiety and personality disturbances. Moreover, it increases the risk of the development of more serious mental diseases like schizophrenia.

Marijuana starts its operation in the body by attacking our central nervous system. It puts a break on the communication system in our body, and as a result, we lose even our short tem memory. This is because of the presence of cannabinoids, an active element in the plant. When a person consumes marijuana by smoking or by chewing, he takes about 400 toxic substances of which 60 of them contains cannabinoids!! Of the 60, the cannabinoids that take a big impact on the brain is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC takes control over our thoughts, memory, concentration, time and depth and our coordinated movements.

The effect of marijuana on brain is very complex. The users may sometimes be able to recognize certain things they saw before smoking and often claims that they have seen certain things that they have not seen. Psychologists call this memory intrusion. It occurs as a result of the presence of THC in our brain and nerve cells. The subject finds himself in another world where there is no place for logic. He will not be able to control his actions and emotions.

The user of marijuana may show uncontrollable laughter for a while and in a minutes time the laughter may change to paranoia. Again, this is attributed to the presence of THC. The quick change in temper is because THC has started its work in the brain’s limbic system. As a result, THC coordinates our behavioral patterns and the activities between the visceral brain-base and the rest of the central nervous system.

Marijuana is preferred by its users because of its instantaneous effect on brain. People are too much stressed out in life that they look for something that can help release all piled up emotions. Still, use of marijuana as a stress reliever can never be justified. Since the effect of marijuana is not a lasting one, the users often need to use it again and again. This makes them addicted to it and literally demolishes the brain.

Most users do not know the real effect of marijuana on brain. It enters brain immediately and lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. Chewing and eating the plant may not be as effective as smoking because smoking deposits much more THC into the brain compared to the other methods. The individual’s heart began to increase to 20 to 50 beats more from the normal rate of 70 to 80. In some extreme cases it may double. Slowly the heart begins to beat more rapidly and the blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes red; the bronchial passages turns relaxed and enlarged which transforms the person an all new individual.

A marijuana user often says that he has experienced many pleasant sensations; sounds and colors more intense; and time appears to pass very slowly for them. The user may suddenly feel very hungry and thirsty and the mouth feels dry. His or her hands may grow cold and/or tremble. The user may feel depressed or sleepy and in many cases the use of marijuana causes distrust, fear, anxiety and panic.

The effect of marijuana on brain is very serious and it requires immediate attention. Regular use of Marijuana impairs a person’s memories, his natural ability to recall events and to shift attention from one thing to another. Another serious problem associated with the drug is that it disrupts the smooth running of the receptors in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which is the part of the brain that regulates the posture, coordination, reaction time and balance of movement. Studies on the effects of marijuana show that the intoxication of marijuana can lead to accidents. Approximately 10% of the victims of accidents are tested positive of THC. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asserts the above as they found that even a small dose of marijuana can impair our driving performance and reaction time which may eventually lead to greater catastrophe.