Title: Marijuana Information - Pot, Reefer, Grass, Weed, Mary Jane
Headings: What is marijuana?
What is marijuana?
How does marijuana affect the brain?
What are the acute effects of marijuana use?
Marijuana's Effects on the Brain
How does marijuana use affect physical health?
Marijuana, Memory, and the Hippocampus
The Body's Natural THC-Like Chemicals
How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life?
Is marijuana use addictive?

Content: THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do, by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine. A marijuana user may experience pleasant sensations, colors and sounds may seem more intense, and time appears to pass very slowly. The user's mouth feels dry, and he or she may suddenly become very hungry and thirsty. His or her hands may tremble and grow cold. The euphoria passes after awhile, and then the user may feel sleepy or depressed. Occasionally, marijuana use produces anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic. Marijuana use impairs a person's ability to form memories, recall events (see Marijuana, Memory, and the Hippocampus), and shift attention from one thing to another. THC also disrupts coordination and balance by binding to receptors in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, parts of the brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination of movement, and reaction time. Through its effects on the brain and body, marijuana intoxication can cause accidents. Studies show that approximately 6 to 11 percent of fatal accident victims test positive for THC.