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What is smoking marijuana?
Marijuana is a dry, shredded mix of flowers, stems, seeds and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. People usually smoke it as a cigarette or in a pipe. It is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States. Abusing marijuana can result in problems with memory, learning and social behavior. It can interfere with family, school, work and other activities.
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Explore and Discover
smoking marijuana information from trusted sources:
Marijuana - InfoFacts - NIDA
Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can ... A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana ... Read more on
www.nida.nih.gov
Cannabis smoking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cannabis smoking involves inhaling vapors released by heating the flowers and subtending leaves and stems of the Cannabis plants, known as marijuana. ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
Pot Smoking Not Linked to Lung Cancer
May 23, 2006 ... People who smoke marijuana do not appear to be at increased risk for developing lung cancer, new research suggests. Read more on
www.webmd.com
Marijuana and Lung Cancer - Does Smoking Marijuana Cause Lung Cancer
Jan 19, 2011 ... Does smoking marijuana cause lung cancer? What do the studies and science say about marijuana and lung cancer? Read more on
lungcancer.about.com
Smoking Marijuana Eases Chronic Neuropathic Pain
by F Lowry Read more on
www.medscape.com
Health Buzz: Can Smoking Marijuana Trigger Psychosis? - US News ...
Mar 2, 2011 ... Talking to teens about marijuana; does 'The 4-Hour Body' deliver results? Read more on
health.usnews.com
Effects of Marijuana - The Health Effects of Marijuana
Although legalization activists and many marijuana users believe smoking pot has ... Within a few minutes after smoking marijuana, the heart begins beating ... Read more on
alcoholism.about.com
Does Smoking Marijuana Cause Lung Cancer? Marijuana and Your Lung ...
May 24, 2006 ... I heard that smoking marijuana will not cause lung cancer. Is this true? Does smoking marijuana increase my risk for lung cancer? ... Read more on
cancer.about.com
Can a Diabetic Smoke Marijuana? | A Sweet Life
Jun 21, 2010 ... This November, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on a measure that would legalize marijuana use-- but can a diabetic smoke ... Read more on
asweetlife.org
Smoke Inhalation
Smoke inhalation is a condition where you breathe in harmful smoke. Harmful smoke comes from burning materials and gases, and contains small particles that are suspended in hot air. These small particles include chemicals, irritants, or toxins (poisons), such as carbon monoxide and cyanide. With smoke inhalation, the lungs and airways become irritated, inflamed (swollen), and blocked. The damaged airways and lungs prevent oxygen from getting into your blood, and respiratory failure may then develop. Respiratory failure means you cannot breathe well enough to get oxygen to the cells of your body. Inhaled smoke may also be absorbed into other body organs, such as the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. Read more on
www.pdrhealth.com
Contents
Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains nicotine which is highly addictive. However, there are many other harmful substances in tobacco smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.
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www.nhs.uk
Nicotine dependence
Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products caused by the drug nicotine. Smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes contains thousands of chemicals, including nicotine. Smokeless tobacco also contains nicotine. Nicotine dependence means you can't stop using the substance, even though it's causing you harm.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Marijuana intoxication
Marijuana ("pot") is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. The drug is primarily smoked, sometimes eaten. Its intoxicating effects include relaxation, sleepiness, and mild euphoria (getting high). Marijuana can cause undesirable side effects, which increase with higher doses. These side effects include dry mouth, red eyes, impaired perception and motor skills, decreased short-term memory, paranoia, mood swings, and hallucinations. The amount and effect of these side effects varies from individual to individual, as well as the amount of marijuana used. Related topics: Drug abuse Drug abuse and dependence Drug abuse first aid
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Cancer, Lung
Not smoking is the most effective way to prevent getting lung cancer. If you are a smoker, the best way to prevent lung cancer, plus other serious conditions, is to stop smoking as soon as possible.
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www.nhs.uk
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a condition in which thickened, white patches form on your gums, on the inside of your cheeks, the bottom of your mouth and sometimes on your tongue. These patches can't easily be scraped off.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Not smoking prevents most COPD. Diagnosing and treating small airways disease and taking part in stop-smoking programs may prevent the disease from getting worse in persons who smoke.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Passive Smoking
You don't have to be a smoker for smoking to harm you. You can also have health problems from breathing in other people's smoke. Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Secondhand smoke contains more than 50 substances that can cause cancer. Health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke include lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, respiratory tract infections and heart disease. There is no safe amount of secondhand smoke. Children, pregnant women, older people and people with heart or breathing problems should be especially careful.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Quitting smoking
Tobacco use is the most common preventable cause of death. About half of the people who don't quit smoking will die of smoking-related problems. Quitting smoking is important for your health and provides many benefits. Soon after you quit, your circulation begins to improve, and your blood pressure starts to return to normal. Your sense of smell and taste return and breathing starts to become easier. In the long term, giving up tobacco can help you live longer. Your risk of getting cancer decreases with each year you stay smoke-free. Quitting is not easy. You may have short-term effects such as weight gain, irritability and anxiety. Some people try several times before succeeding. There are many ways to quit smoking. Some people stop "cold turkey." Others benefit from step-by-step manuals, counseling or medicines or products that help reduce nicotine addiction. Your health care provider can help you find the best way for you to quit.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Teen smoking
Nearly a quarter of high school students in the U.S. smoke cigarettes. Another 8% use smokeless tobacco. Smoking has many health risks for everyone. However, the younger you are when you start smoking, the more problems it can cause. For example: Parents and other adults who work with children can help by warning them of the risks of smoking. They can also set a good example by not smoking themselves.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Smoking hazards
Question: What are the negative effects of smoking Answer: Smokers have an increased risk of the following: Lung cancer Lung disease Heart attack Heart disease Hypertension Stroke Oral cancer Bladder cancer Pancreatic cancer Cervical cancer Pregnancy complications Low birth weight babies Early menopause Lower estrogen level for women Facial wrinkles Children of smokers have an increased risk of the following: Sudden infant death syndrome Respiratory infections Lung cancer Ear infections
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Drug Abuse in Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you are not just "eating for two." You also breathe and drink for two, so it is important to carefully consider what you give to your baby. If you smoke, use alcohol or take illegal drugs, so does your unborn baby. First, don't smoke. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoke also keeps your baby from getting nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth or premature birth. Don't drink alcohol. There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant. Alcohol can cause life-long physical and behavioral problems in children, including fetal alcohol syndrome. Don't use illegal drugs. Using illegal drugs may cause underweight babies, birth defects or withdrawal symptoms after birth.
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www.nlm.nih.gov