Expert: Peter L. - 2/9/2011

Question
QUESTION: What does smoking Marijuana do to people, psychologically and physiologically?

As in, when we smoke marijuana, what happens to us afterwards exactly and why? How does it work, scientifically and in layman's terms? I would love a play by play informed answer. I’m talking about in terms of psychological and physiological. But again, not just WHAT happens, but also  why each thing happens the way it does. 
I’m curious as to what it does to the body and brain exactly?

I use to smoke weed for 2 years, stopped for about 3 and then smoked it once recently and my heart was pounding and racing for about 2 and a half hours while I was high. Either I was paranoid (so it was psychological) or it was just physiological from the marijuana, what do you think? Do I have anything to be worried about?

I'm 19 and male.

ANSWER: Hi Josh,

Marijuana is a very interesting drug of abuse, as it has hung out and been used steadily over the years while others have fluctuated.  There's a sense it's a benign drug that can be used casually.  I'd say there are a lot of people who engage in the "marijuana maintenance plan" and smoke on a regular basis.  They still, for the most part, keep their jobs, families, don't get into many legal problems, and come to the belief that this is something they can do indefinitely.

Now I'll offer an alternative view.  This is not a safe drug, by any measure.  There are short and long term consequences of smoking it.  

The way it works it that it activates receptor proteins that send a signal is sent to nearby dopamine terminals in the brain. These then begin to produce inordinate amounts of dopamine, triggering that contented feeling known to so many politicians.  Dopamine is a neurotransmitter chemical involved in mood.  So, when you have more dopamine floating around in the brain, you get a greater sense of well-being -- usually.  But for some, the effect backfires, and people get paranoid, foggy, or sleepy.  

THC, and active chemical component in marijuana, passes through the blood brain barrier to do its thing.  This chemical mounts in the brain, doesn't leave it easily the way other water soluble drugs do.  That's why it's so easy to detect on a urine screen.

There are reports of some people becoming psychotic from even one use of marijuana.  Now granted, those people likely had some existing mental health condition that was triggered by the marijuana.  But nevertheless, it's pretty freaky to think that such a drug can do that to some people.

The paranoid reaction you reported is typical.  I don't think you have anything to worry about.  When you stopped using your body and brain cleared from the drug, and then when you smoked again, the effect was more pronounced.  When you have a lot of THC bouncing around in your brain, you don't notice these effects so clearly.  But let it clear out of your system, and you're again more sensitive to them.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Peter


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Your answers are perfect thank you but I have a few more super important questions to ask if you don't mind!

So first question is why was my heart racing so much? I honestly believed I was going to "die", but this is just marijuanna you know! not crack!

my next question is, do you think it'd be better for my heart and in general if I were to digest the weed through eating it in brownies or cookies, you know like weed brownies?

and just to let you know I am not smoking for recreational reasons, and I wouldn't lie to you because I know if I were lying to you, the answer you would give me wouldn't be helpful because it was be an answer for the non-existing situation I provided for you  which would ultimately be of no help at all! But that's not the case, I'm so serious,  I havent smoked in 3 years and I'm glad I quit. The reason I am smoking is because I deeply believe there are valuable thoughts I have when on the drug that wold never be thought sober, so what I do is smoke it by myself and record all thoughts doing through my head.

. Anyways, that's why I ask is there anything you think I should be worry about? Do you think it is safe to do this for just another month even though I was pretty much freaking out last time on the drug..?

THANKS AGAIN!! YOU CAN PRIVATELY EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT AT  

Answer
Hi Josh,

I wish I could tell you why your heart was racing so much.  I'm not a doctor, so therefore can't evaluate that for you.  Sorry!

As far as ingesting marijuana safely, I would not advise you put it in your body in any way.  I'm a substance abuse counselor, remember?  My job is to get people to stop putting harmful substances in their bodies.  

You're asking a lot of little ole' me.  It seems you would like that I be convinced, like you appear to be, that you need marijuana to achieve some sort of unique psychological state.  In my line of work we call that being high.  

If you feel you must ingest marijuana to achieve an esoteric mental state, there's probably not much I can do to stop you.  But if you are getting physical health symptoms associated with marijuana, I'd advise you to strongly reconsider this mind expanding experiment and look more toward your overall health, that marijuana seems to threaten.

Thanks for listening,
Peter