Transcript Alcohol & Marijuana: Impact on the Body

Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-E
Western Montana Addiction Services
Project SUCCESS- Sentinel HS
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Age 25: Fully Developed
Age 30: Fully Mature
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Younger Chemicals Are
Introduced, the Greater the
Risk to Brain Development
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Neurotransmitters
 Send and receive messages in the brain
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Neuron
 The chemical (message) being sent
Hash
Cannabis
Pot
Joint
Afgan
Black Rock
Grass
Dope
Bhang
Weed
Bush
Draw
Broccoli
Budda Grass
Dry High
Dubby
Gage
Ganja
Gangster
Giggleweed
Hemp
Herb
Jive
Kiff
Jane
Mary Jane
Loco Weed
Mexican Green
Panama Red
Puff
Resin
Roach
Reefer
Sativa
Smoke
Spliff
Tea
Texas Tea
Thai Sticks
Skunk
Chronic
Cheeba
Bammy
Blanket
Blunt
Ashes
Bo-Bo
Bomber
Ding
Giggle Smoke
Cripple
Dinkie Dow
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Smoked
Ingested
Vaporized
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It is about 20 times more potent
50-70% more carcinogens than cigarettes
Inhaled deeply and held for longer periods in
the lungs, increasing tar in lungs.
It is a “gateway drug” (dopamine).
Although typically not lethal, mixed with
other substances (especially alcohol) it can
have serious consequences.
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About 9% of people become addicted
The number increases to about 1 in 6 among
those who start using it at a young age
Increases to 25 to 50% among daily users.
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Bloodshot eyes
Dry mouth and throat
Decreased social inhibitions
Motivation and cognition
Learning difficulties
Difficulty speaking, listening effectively
Intense anxiety or panic attacks
Paranoia
Drops blood pressure
 “Whoa, Dude, I gotta sit down”.
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Impacts nerve cells, hippocampus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and
cerebral cortex.
Can cause:
 Hallucinations
 Delusions
 Impaired memory
 Disorientation
Parts of Brain that Effect:
 Pleasure
 Memory
 Thought
 Concentration
 Sensory and time perception
 Coordinated movement
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Nucleus of Solitary Tract – Sensations like nausea and vomiting
Basal Ganglia – Movement Control
Cerebellum – Body Movement & Coordination
Hippocampus – Memory, Learning, Stress Control
Cerebral Cortex – Thinking, Problem Solving
Nucleus Accumbens – Reward Center
Hypothalamus – Body Functions
Amygdala – Emotional Response, Fears
Spinal Cord – Sensations
Brain Stem – Sleep, Arousal, Motor Control
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Heart rate (increase up to 50%)
Blood pressure drops
Heart attack 4x more likely within an hour of
smoking marijuana compared to not smoking
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Burning and stinging of the throat
Heavy coughing
Frequent chest illnesses & lung infections
Similar problems as tobacco smokers
Cancer of the lung (20x greater w/ marijuana
compared to tobacco per study in 2012)
Tar similar to that of tobacco, but levels
increase w/ marijuana due to inhaling it and
holding it in lungs longer.
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Can induce psychosis
Anxiety
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Panic attacks
Learning difficulties/disabilities
Emotional development
Which comes first? Mental health or triggered
symptoms as a result of marijuana.
Adolescents 6x more likely to develop psychotic
symptoms
 10% of adolescents who use before age 15 will
develop psychotic symptoms by age 26 compared
to 3% who never used.
 Genetically predisposed people are likely to see
symptoms of mental health disorders earlier if they
use marijuana.
 Young men who use are more likely to experience
suicidal thoughts if they use marijuana.
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Burning and stinging of mouth/throat
Changes in potassium levels
Changes in amount of protein and Ph of urine
Some renal problems reported as a result
having to digest the marijuana
 UA’s
▪ Occasional Use -10 to 14 days
▪ Regular Use -45 days
▪ Heavy Use – 90 days
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Lowered immune system
Cancer patients in treatment may be
impacted differently by the effect of
marijuana on the immune system.
Suppress auto-immune system
Reduces white cell production
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Slows muscle growth
Decreases muscle mass
Lowers testosterone needed
for muscle growth
Used as a muscle relaxant
Increased muscle spasms
Absorption of calcium reduced
Weakened bones (especially in adolescent
women)
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Recreational use linked to testicular cancer
 Cannabis receptors in the testacies
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Female infertility issues
 THC can be found in vaginal fluids
 Interference with menstrual and ovulation cycles
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Male infertility issues
 Lower sperm count/mobility of sperm impacted
 Lower volume of seminal fluid
 Reduced testosterone
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Effects different people in a different way
BHA: Food additive ingested while using
marijuana can promote health effects in
lungs.
Males more likely to develop dependency
Higher risk taking behaviors
Denial of organ transplants
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Most pronounced 1018 days after last use
Peaking at day 2 or 3
Tremors
Fever like feeling
Nausea
Muscle spasms
Loose stools
Abdominal distress
Hiccups
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Anxiety
Muscle tension
Mood swings
Appetite changes
Insomnia
Nightmares/terrors
Depressed mood
Anger/Aggression
Agitation
Irritable
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/04/health/synthetic-marijuana-irpt/?hpt=hp_mid
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First reported use in the US was in 2009
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First seen in Europe in 2004
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Synthetic marijuana was linked to 11,406 drug-related emergency
department visits in 2010
Year Number of Poison Control Calls
2010
2,906
2011
6,968
2012
As of Dec. 31, 2012 5,200
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May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture
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1 in 9 high school seniors nationwide have used spice in the last year (2011)
More popular among boys than girls -In 2012, nearly twice as many male
12th graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana as females in the
same age group.
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Advertised as natural and safe
Lack of education about the risks
Less likely to get caught (UA’s)
Sometimes it is easier to access
Suppose to feel like marijuana, but the high
comes faster and doesn’t last as long
Creates a relaxed feeling
Advertising! The packaging looks fun.
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Has been known to cause death after one use
Extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations
Suicidal thoughts
Vomiting
Agitation and confusion
Seizures
Muscle Spasms/Tremors
Extreme nervousness
Dilated pupils
Headaches/Migraines
Violent tendencies
Slurred speech
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Increased heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Reduced blood supply to the heart
(myocardial ischemia)
Associated with heart attacks
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Difficult to regulate – tried to make chemicals in Spice
illegal, but it is then made with different chemicals and
sold.
Says on packaging “not for human consumption”
Different brands use different chemicals and potencies,
so it is hard to know how much and what you are taking.
DEA’s story about Wyoming Girl – Kidney Damage
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3-5 times more potent than THC in marijuana
Addictive? YES!
Withdrawal similar to that of narcotics.
Long-term effects unknown
MIXING is dangerous!
More drugs found laced with synthetics
Many more “Designer Drugs” being
developed, all out have had deaths
associated with them.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/l
egal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173.html