Download - Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-E Western Montana Addiction Services Project SUCCESS- Sentinel HS
Marijuana & Synthetics
Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-EWestern Montana Addiction ServicesProject SUCCESS- Sentinel HS
First Thing First…THE BRAINAge 25: Fully DevelopedAge 30: Fully Mature
Younger Chemicals Are Introduced, the Greater the Risk to Brain Development
Neurotransmitters Send and receive messages in the brain
Neuron The chemical (message) being sent
Street Terms (Some of Them)
Pot Joint
Grass Dope
Bush Draw
Dry High Dubby
Gangster Giggleweed
Jive Kiff
Loco Weed Mexican Green
Resin Roach
Smoke Spliff
Thai Sticks Skunk
Bammy Blanket
Bo-Bo Bomber
Cripple Dinkie Dow
Hash Cannabis
Afgan Black Rock
Bhang Weed
Broccoli Budda Grass
Gage Ganja
Hemp Herb
Jane Mary Jane
Panama Red Puff
Reefer Sativa
Tea Texas Tea
Chronic Cheeba
Blunt Ashes
Ding Giggle Smoke
How “Dope” is Used
Smoked IngestedVaporized
REALITIES OF WEED
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.
More news about ganga:
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.
Marijuana: Short Term
Bloodshot eyesDry mouth and throatDecreased social inhibitionsMotivation and cognitionLearning difficultiesDifficulty speaking, listening
effectivelyIntense anxiety or panic attacksParanoiaDrops blood pressure
“Whoa, Dude, I gotta sit down”.
Marijuana: The Brain
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
Marijuana & The Nervous System
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
Marijuana & The Heart
Heart rate (increase up to 50%)Blood pressure dropsHeart attack 4x more likely within an
hour of smoking marijuana compared to not smoking
Marijuana & The Lungs
Burning and stinging of the throatHeavy coughingFrequent chest illnesses & lung
infectionsSimilar problems as tobacco smokersCancer 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.
Marijuana & Your Mental Health 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.
More on Mental Health w/ Weed 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.
Mary Jane and Digestion
Burning and stinging of mouth/throatChanges in potassium levelsChanges in amount of protein and Ph
of urineSome 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
Hash and the Immune System
Lowered immune systemCancer patients in treatment may be
impacted differently by the effect of marijuana on the immune system.
Suppress auto-immune systemReduces white cell production
Grass & Musculoskeletal System
Slows muscle growth Decreases muscle massLowers testosterone needed for muscle growthUsed as a muscle relaxant Increased muscle spasmsAbsorption of calcium reducedWeakened bones (especially in
adolescent women)
Giggle Smoke & Reproduction
Recreational use linked to testicular cancer Cannabis receptors in the testacies
Female infertility issues THC can be found in vaginal fluids Interference with menstrual and
ovulation cyclesMale infertility issues
Lower sperm count/mobility of sperm impacted
Lower volume of seminal fluid Reduced testosterone
Other “Chronic” effects
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 behaviorsDenial of organ transplants
Cannabis Withdrawal
Most pronounced 10-18 days after last use
Peaking at day 2 or 3
Tremors Fever like feeling Nausea Muscle spasms Loose stools Abdominal distress Hiccups
Anxiety Muscle tension Mood swings Appetite changes Insomnia Nightmares/terrors Depressed mood Anger/Aggression Agitation Irritable
Other Things To Consider
Synthetic Marijuana
Realities of Fake Weed
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/04/health/synthetic-marijuana-irpt/?hpt=hp_mid
First reported use in the US was in 2009
First seen in Europe in 2004
Synthetic marijuana was linked to 11,406 drug-related emergency department visits in 2010
Year Number of Poison Control Calls2010 2,9062011 6,9682012 As of Dec. 31, 2012 5,200
May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture
Teen Use of Synthetics 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.
Synthetics- Why do people use them?
Advertised as natural and safeLack of education about the risksLess likely to get caught (UA’s)Sometimes it is easier to accessSuppose to feel like marijuana, but
the high comes faster and doesn’t last as long
Creates a relaxed feelingAdvertising! The packaging looks
fun.
Synthetics & The Body
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
Synthetics & The Heart
Increased heart rateElevated blood pressure Reduced blood supply to the heart
(myocardial ischemia)Associated with heart attacks
Spice/K2: Legal? 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
Synthetics: More Info
3-5 times more potent than THC in marijuana
Addictive? YES!Withdrawal similar to that of
narcotics.Long-term effects unknownMIXING is dangerous!More drugs found laced with
syntheticsMany more “Designer Drugs” being
developed, all out have had deaths associated with them.
One Last Thought…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/legal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173.html