1. Marijuana, Inhalants, and Steroids
Lesson 2
Marijuana, Inhalants, and Steroids

2. Marijuana
Plant whose leaves, buds and flowers are usually smoked for their intoxicating effects
May be included in some foods and eaten to gain it’s intoxicating effects
A.K.A grass, weed or pot
Most widely used illegal drug
Hash or hashish is a stronger form of marijuana
Considered a gateway- drug that may lead to the user to try other dangerous drugs
Teen that uses marijuana is 15x more likely to use cocaine then a teen who has never used
All forms are mind altering and damage health

3. Physical Consequences
Users face same health risks as tobacco users
Marijuana smoke contains more cancer causing chemicals then tobacco smoke
Users often inhale unfiltered smoke which may damage respiratory system
May damage immune system
Risk to reproductive system

4. Mental and Emotional Consequences
Raises level of brain chemical dopamine (produces pleasurable feeling)
Some users it triggers release of too much dopamine causing a feeling of intense well-being or elation called a “high”
When drug wears off, pleasure sensation stops and an abrupt letdown, “crash” occurs
May experience slow mental reflexes and may suffer from sudden feelings of anxiety and paranoia- an irrational suspiciousness or distrust of others
May feel dizzy, trouble walking, hard time remembering things that just happened
Short term memory is affected
Experience distorted perception, loss of coordination, trouble thinking and solving problems

5. Health Risks of Marijuana (Figure 22.5)
Hallucinations and paranoia
Impaired short-term memory, reaction time, concentration and coordination
Lung irritation, coughing
Heart and lung damage
Increased risk of cancer
Weakened immunity to infection
Increased appetite
Increased risk of stillbirth and birth defects
Changed hormone levels
Females- risk of infertility
Males-lower sperm count and testosterone levels

6. Driving and Marijuana Use
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates 10-22% of drivers involved in car crashes were on drugs
Driving under the influence of marijuana interferes w/ depth perception, causes sleepiness, impairs judgment and slows reflexes
Penalties and legal consequences: suspension license, fines, loss of eligibility for federal college loans and jail time, legal prosecution and emotional consequences

7. Inhalents Substances whose fumes are sniffed or inhaled to give effect
Some prescribed by doctor to treat allergies, asthma, and other medical conditions
Some are inhaled to achieve a high (solvents, aerosols, glues, paints, varnishes and gasoline)- can cause brain damage
Most depress the central nervous system
Immediate effects: glassy stare, slurred speech, impaired judgment, nausea, coughing, nosebleeds, fatigue, lack of coordination
Permanent loss of brain cells
Long term use: liver and kidney damage, blindness, brain damage, paralysis, cardiac arrest, death

8. Consequences of Steroid Use
Anabolic-androgenic steroids-synthetic substances similar to male sex hormones
Anabolic refers to muscle building, androgenic refers to increased male characteristics.
Steroids can be prescribed for some medical conditions
Can result in unnatural muscle growth
Other side effects: weight gain, acne, high blood pressure, liver and kidney tumors
If injected, may contract HIV or hepatitis B
May cause violent behavior, extreme mood swings, depression, paranoia