Is weed really the harmless drug?

I'm fairly new to pot. I've only done it 5-6 times, so far there has been only mild after affects. The actual highs have been mostly pleasant, except for this one time where i had massive uncomfortable sensations rippling down neck and spine. It was sort of enjoyable, but really really intense.

So anyway, the point of this is to ask whether there is really much/any danger in weed?

 

depends on who ya ask... why not educate n inform yerself and come to the conclusion you deem appropriate and get back to us

you must not think it too horrible if yer doin it or just dont care bout what you could be doing,,,

 

yea, I've done a tone of research to try to find the truth. I think the drug education in Australia is really misleading. I'm pretty convinced it's harmless if used responsibly, but I'm looking for a long-time users perspective.

 

Not that i know of. The only harm i can think of is that it is disadvantageous to your short term memory, but for that to occur you must be a heavy smoker or smoke atleast daily (as i used to do).

 

lol ,, its all deception,, doesnt matter where
i been smoking on very regular basis for 20 yrs,,, biggest thing i have noticed is short term memory ,, or stoned moments or is it alzheimers...

 

When you get older, your short term memory declines. This STM loss isn't related to cannabis usage, but is dependent on your age, health, and genetics. The only reason cannabis causes STM loss is because that is the effect of the drug, but only while you are high, and only continues to effect you if the drug is still in your system. Once the drug is out of your system, completely, your STM will return to the way that it should be, according to your current age, health, etc. For example, if you smoke everyday for years, from 20 to 40, then stop at 40, after around one through two months, your memory will be what it should be at your age if you never smoked.

Cannabis isn't harmless, but it is as harmful as consuming food. Every time you digest food, your body breaks down that food which then free radicals are formed. Free radicals are poisons that destroy your body at the cellular level (this is why eating foods that are high in quality and nutritional value is important, because it's reduce the number of free radicals).

Psychologically speaking, cannabis usage can be addictive, but so can anything. People can be addicted to anything, ranging from checking your email account to playing online video games.

If you have an addictive personality, it would be wise to stay away from cannabis. Otherwise, if you trust yourself and know yourself, cannabis is as harmful as you want it to be.

If you have heart problems, it may be a good idea to stay away from cannabis usage, since being high can raise your heart rate. On the other hand, there are many studies being conducted that this may actually be good for your heart, but I personally wouldn't use it unless the results were conclusive.

 

Only a fool would believe that weed is completely harmless. I've been smoking it for about 2 years and I (and others) have noticed that my memory has been affected and my brain does seems to operate a lot 'slower', if you will, than it used to ... even when I'm not stoned. Also, I have been getting a LOT of paranoid thoughts when I'm stoned, whereas I never used to. Maybe it's time for me to stop smoking it? My advice is don't get into the habit of frequent smoking ... keep it as a weekend pleasure. And if you choose to smoke it frequently, learn to know when to stop.

 

This poster speaks the truth!

The only thing I would add is that one should not necessarily be concerned with how cannabis effects your short-term memory as much as they should be slightly more concerned with how it effects your lungs. Smoking anything is harmful to the cillia that lines the lungs and cannabis does have a high content of tar.. which is multiplied if you like to smoke blunts like me.

But you have alternatives if you worry about your lungs... you can eat it! and you can vaporize it! Two excellent ways of getting lifted that are literally no more harmful than eating.

 

I dont think marijuana should be considered a drug at all.

 

I think marijuana is a plant however it does contain lots of molecules that I would consider drugs. I don't think drugs should be considered a negative thing though.

 

marijuana can be used with minimal damage to your health.

much less so than alcohol, or tobacco.

smoking anything is no good on your lungs, and some people may argue that a conclusive link between lung cancer and weed has never been established, but imo, thats foolish. your body is simply not made to be smoking things; plain and simple. if you choose to become a long-term smoker, cancers of the mouth, throat, and lungs are not out of the picture, nor are serious breathing complications like chronic bronchitis.

the real question is what damage is done psychologically. there has been some (limited) evidence that long term use can greatly increase your chance of developing psychological disorders, including psychosis.

my personal opinion, is that these surveys and studies are agenda driven and biased. it is true not a single person in all of marijuanas recorded use has ever died from it. that makes it safer than caffeine and tylenol right there, which kill thousands per year. we all know marijuana has great medicinal value, and can be used effeciently and cleanly (vaporizer, cooking).

it really is true marijuana is one of the safest drugs out there. there is no way you can kill yourself with it, and every study done on it has concluded that occasional use poses no serious risks to your health. chronic use of anything generally isnt good, but just from personal experience i know many older people who have been smoking pot since they're teens and are completely fine, and generally very happy.

the damage done is on your lungs/throat/mouth though. so smoke the shit for a few years just because its the easiest and most convient way to use it, then if you start getting concerned with the health risks, switch to cooking it or eating it, or give it a break altogether.

in short; youve got nothing to worry about.

 

I started when I was about 12 - 13. I tried some a couple of times and nothing really happened. I then smoked alot in the summer after grade 8 and it caused no problems. There were antidrug assemblys that contained a lot of propaganda that was VERY misleading from the actual effects of weed. They were either overexadgerated statements or rumours about pot. I figure if I cut down after a bit, then starting again is a lot better, it I haven't noticed any effects so far...

 

Sounds more like you need to work out a personal issue than to stop smoking. I can't really say, but whenever I have unpleasant highs its always something with me a need to work out, alot like how you can work through personal issues on your first few trips and then start learning things.

 

I agree. AND I think that as human beings you should be able to decide whether or not you want to responsibly be under the influence of them as well.

 

here's the bottom line: marijuana is a only a problem if you let it become a problem. if you smoke occasionally, like a few times a week in the evenings, then no you'll be fine. in fact, this is how i do it and i've experienced many benefits (i sleep better, my gf has never had a migraine since smoking, helps me relax after a long day at work, inspires me to take my dog for a walk, i'm more likely to do boring chores around the apartment). if you let it take over your life by smoking before work, before class, before you drive, etc., then yes it'll be a problem.

it's really no different than any other vice people have, like eating chocolate and ice cream. neither are good, but a little here and there does great things to relax the mind without causing a physical addition.

 

as said before, short-term memory problems are only while the cannabinoids are in your system. The major health problem comes from the smoke, and does increase your chances of lung problems if overused. Fortunately, if your concerned about the smoke, a vaporizer is a great alternative since no smoke or toxins are released, and only the THC is released giving an equal high. This has been verified scientifically.

 

wow, that's some great advice.

I guess my only concern is the smoke inhalation. But I guess if I do it twice a week, then the smoke won't do much damage.

Thanks alot guys

 

hell yea, vaping is the shit, its pretty much the only way i smoke right now and its great, get a vap you'll never cough again

 

i wish i was 18 so i could buy a vap

 

i'd say other then the lung issue yeah, but that just my personal opinion, i think mushrooms are the most harmless drug, and they can be an amazing teacher....