Neuron Effects of the GanjBy: Benjamin Waller

Did You Know?

Did you know that 83 million Americans over the age of 12 have used marijuana at least once?

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is the mind-altering substance produced from a plant with the scientific name Cannabis sativa. The drug is used because its primary active chemical, stereotypically (THC), may induce relaxation and heighten the senses.

What is a Neuron?

A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system. Neurons are similar to other cells in the human body in a number of ways, but there is one key difference between neurons and other cells. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Human Body

Increased heartbeat. Drop of the pressure in your eyeball. Change of blood pressure. Sense of cold or hot hands and feet. Discoloration of the white of the eye to

somewhat pink because of dilation of the vessels in the conjunctiva of the eye.

Relaxation of the muscles. A dry mouth.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Body?

Affects normal cell formation. Produces feelings of isolation and depersonalization. Produces shakes, lack of coordination and

headaches. Makes any mental or emotional problem worse.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Nervous System?

THC acts on cannabinoid receptors which are found on neurons in many places in the brain. These brain areas are involved in memory (the hippocampus), concentration (cerebral cortex), perception (sensory portions of the cerebral cortex) and movement (the cerebellum, substantia nigra, globus pallidus). When THC activates cannabinoid receptors, it interferes with the normal functioning of these brain areas.

What Neurotransmitters are Affected by Marijuana?

The neurotransmitters that are affected by marijuana are dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine has a variety of roles in the brain, such as attention and gratification. Norepinephrine, for the most part, affects action and response.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Marijuana can be addictive. You may be able to develop a physical,

psychological or social dependence on it. Users with a physical dependence may

complain that they feel down and depressed on a day that they do not use the drug.

Users with a psychological dependence may use the drug as sort of a crutch in order to get through almost every event in their life.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Users with a social dependence on the drug may be addicted because leaving the drug would also mean leaving their close friends who they us the drug with.

Also users with social dependence use the drug when they are having problems among their friends to get over it.

What Withdrawal Symptoms Does Marijuana Cause?

Irritability

Anxiety

Physical tension

Decreases in appetite and mood

Stomach pain

Physical tension

Restlessness

Anorexia

Insomnia

Increased aggression / anger

Strange dreams

Works Cited

http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs3/3593/index.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/biopsychology/f/neuron01.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080421075225AAPHzwV

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/mari.html

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_neurotransmitter_is_affected_by_marijuana

http://www.spiritualriver.com/is-marijuana-addictive/

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/Marijuana-Withdrawal.html