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