Marijuana / Question
Published: October 17, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
This summer I have started to smoke marijuana very often with a couple of friends. We have done it every day for the last 2 weeks because we have access to it and we don't have to worry about school right now-and just to let you know, we don't smoke to "escape reality" because frankly, we all have fun being together anyways without the use of marijuana. But I notice I am short for words when it comes time to spit them out and I feel more stupid than before I started smoking. Here is my question; when I stop smoking, will my memory eventually get better? Thank you for responding!
Signed: Concerned Weed Smoker
Dear Concerned Weed Smoker,
If you have fun being together without marijuana then why waste your money, damage your health, and risk being arrested for something that concerns you? TeenHealthFX feels strongly that marijuana and any drug use is just not worth it!
According To NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) the short-term effects of marijuana include:
- Problems with memory and learning
- Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch)
- Trouble with thinking and concentrating
- Loss of coordination
- Increased heart rate
- Anxiety
Some of the long-term effects are
- Cancer
- Breathing problems
- Weakened immune system
A NIDA funded study found that students who smoke marijuana regularly might be limiting their ability to learn. The study found that college students, who used marijuana on a regular basis, had impaired skills related to attention, memory and learning 24 hours after they had used the drug. The study was unable to conclude whether the deficits were due to a residue of the drug that remains in the brain after the "high" wears off or to damage of the brain itself. However, animal studies have shown that exposure to the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana can cause structural damage to the hippocampus, which plays a vital role in learning and memory.
The effect of marijuana on the brain continues to be studied, including its effect on memory. Until a definitive study is published you will just have to hope you are not doing irreversible damage to your brain, or you could stop. It is up to you.
Although marijuana may not be physically addicting, you can develop a psychological dependence that makes quitting tough. If you are having a hard time stopping then ask for help. If you live in northern New Jersey you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888.247.1400 for more information. There are also self-help groups available such as Marijuana Anonymous that can help.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
One out of every six American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. A total of 17.7 million women have been victims of these crimes. 
