Dangers of Marijuana – Are the Concerns Exaggerated Or Are They Facts?

Marijuana has long been used by different age groups for its intoxicating effects. They’re used for a wide variety of reasons-recreational, religious, medical and even for self-image purposes. Marijuana is the dried up leaves, stems and seeds of the Cannabis sativa flower. It can be smoked, eaten and used as an ingredient in food.

The dangers of marijuana will always be present, though like many things it depends on quantity and regularity. First of all, if smoked, it has five times the tar content of a cigarette and contains a lot of carcinogens since they don’t pass through a filter the way they do with cigarettes. Regular users often develop chronic bronchitis or severe coughs.

Even though marijuana isn’t physically addictive, it is psychologically addictive. Users start out in small doses, or as casual users, but as they continue their usage, it can get to a point where they find themselves using it alone and eventually it can become a habit. Some examples of reasons that weed addicts use are that they need it to do well in their creative fields of work such as writing, painting or composing music. Others say it helps them to treat their anxiety, insomnia and even improve their self-esteem. (more…)