Posted by: Harry Keller - President & Chief Science Officer (1999˙present)
Allow me a generalization from a chemist.
Burning anything organic produces smoke that contains soot and pyrogens.
Pyrogens contain significant amounts of carcinogens.
Inhaling smoke causes damage to your body. That˙s why people are treated for smoke
inhalation.
The active ingredient in some smoke adds a complication. Nicotine is highly addictive,
physiologically. THC is not. However, psychological addiction to a substance is also
possible.
Soot (the visible material in smoke) adsorbs the nasty substances, including carcinogens. No biological process will readily remove soot. It is chemically inert.
Once it is deposited in your lungs, it˙s there for life. Enough smoking of anything people
smoke will lead to emphysema if you do it frequently and long enough. It˙s a guaranteed
outcome of smoking.
In the short run, some of those pyrogens will irritate your bronchi and result in chronic
bronchitis, which will make you more susceptible to pulmonary infection.
Those carcinogens will circulate through your blood and increase the likelihood of many
cancers: pancreatic cancer, glioblastomas, etc. If you˙re lucky, you˙ll escape life without
these cancers.
The question did not specify the mode of absorbing cannabis. Smoking it is bad for you.
Do not inhale anything you burn unless you have a death wish.
I urge you to avoid all drugs as much as possible while recognizing that many people
find them necessary and even have them prescribed by doctors. I say ˙as much as
possible,˙ recognizing this limitation. Don˙t inhale smoke. There are other ways to ingest
drugs. Vaping. Edibles. Patches. Pills. Gum.
Is marijuana bad? Heck, I can˙t even say whether nicotine is bad. Nicotine improves
focus and helps relax you. At one time, the oldest World War II veteran was 113 years
old and had smoked five cigars daily for most of his life. He never inhaled. He was
fortunate not to develop mouth cancer, but he lived a good life and enjoyed his cigars.
You choose and accept the consequences if and when they occur.
EDIT: Many people are posting opinions without explanations or links. Here˙s the truth.
Short-term effects of nicotine:
Temporary feeling of well-being and relaxation: Nicotine can trigger the release of
endorphins, which help to relieve stress and pain and improve mood.
Increased heart rate and blood pressure: Nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands, leading
to the release of adrenaline, which raises heart rate and blood pressure.
Improved concentration and memory: Nicotine may temporarily boost cognitive functions like concentration and memory.
Reduced anxiety: Nicotine can promote the release of beta-endorphin, a hormone known
for its anxiety-reducing effects.
Increased alertness and energy: The stimulating effect of nicotine can lead to a feeling
of being more awake and energized.
Most of the adverse effects of nicotine use are associated with smoke or other chemicals. Addiction is likely to lead to problems.
Long-term effects and risks:
Addiction and dependence: Frequent nicotine use changes the way the brain works,
leading to addiction and withdrawal symptoms when not using.
Cardiovascular issues: Nicotine can contribute to hardened arteries, increased risk of
heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks.
Increased cancer risk: While nicotine itself doesn't cause cancer, tobacco smoke contains
many carcinogens that increase the risk of various cancers.
Reproductive health: Nicotine can negatively impact male and female fertility and can be
harmful to a developing fetus.
Other effects: Nicotine can also affect bone density, eye health, and the immune system.
Note that nicotine is not a carcinogen.
Each person must evaluate every life decision they make. I met a veterinarian who
explained that his daily long runs had resulted in an enlarged heart, a likely cause of a
shortened life for him. We are encouraged to exercise. Some moderation would have
spared this vet from his health problem.
Would modest use of nicotine (not smoked) have more beneficial than adverse effects?
The answer is not important if addiction causes excessive usage.
The day my wife died was the most stressful day of my life.
I can˙t describe the feelings that included depression and stress.
She had been prescribed two Xanax pills to help her with her MRI fears. She took one.
On the day she died, I took the second one. The effects were so unpleasant that I will
never take another. Yet, plenty of people take this drug regularly. I would rather suffer
the stress and depression than go through that experience again.
Full story:
https://www.quora.com/Is-marijuana-bad-for-you
Mike Dippel
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* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (999:1/1)