BRAIN & CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
IMPAIRED THINKING, MOOD, MEMORY, AND COORDINATION
Marijuana (THC) is an extremely powerful and pleasurable intoxicant. It affects, alters, and damages brain cells controlling thinking, emotion, pleasure, coordination, mood, and memory. The pituitary gland is also damaged which regulates hunger, thirst, blood pressure, sexual behavior, and release of sex hormones.

CLOGGED SYNAPSES, BRAIN DAMAGE, AND ADDICTION
Marijuana accumulates in the microscopic spaces between nerve cells in the brain-called "synapses". This clogging interferes by slowing and impairing transfer of critical information.
Long term use causes the brain to stop production of brain chemicals necessary to "feel good"-a negative feedback condition. And, the user becomes chemically addicted to marijuana.

OTHER AFFECTS ON CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
 
   • Distortions of perception, thinking, and reality
   • Difficulty in forming concepts and thoughts
   • Poor concentration
   • Mental confusion
   • Loss of motivation
   • Wide mood swings
   • Aggression and hostility
   • Depression, anxiety, and paranoia

EYES
Sleepy looking, blood-shot eyes with dilated pupils.

THROAT
Irritates membranes of the esophagus; increases chance of developing cancer of larynx and esophagus.

LUNGS
Significant damage and destruction of the air sacs of the lungs ability to bring in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide - Emphysema.
Causes bronchial tubes to be inflamed, thickened, and to produce more mucus; resulting in narrowing of the air passages - Chronic Bronchitis.
Marijuana smoke has twice as much "tar" as cigarette smoke and significantly increases chance of lung cancer, inflammation and infection.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Marijuana damages the network of glands, organs, and hormones involved in growth and development, energy levels, and reproduction.

ORGANS & GLANDS AFFECTED:
 
   • Pituitary Gland
   • Thyroid Gland
   • Stomach
   • Duodenum
   • Pancreas
   • Adrenal Glands
   • Testis

IMMUNE SYSTEM
Marijuana depresses immune systems' ability to protect itself and body against invading bacteria, viruses, chemicals, foreign particles, parasites, fungal microorganisms, infections, and decreases ability to protect and prevent growth of cancer cells throughout the body.

ORGANS AND GLANDS AFFECTED
 
   • Thymus
   • Lymph System
   • Spleen
   • Stomach
   • Duodenum
   • Bone Marrow

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALES & FEMALES
Marijuana use can decrease and degenerate sperm, sperm count, movement, and cause lowered sex drive. Females can have egg damage, suppression of ovulation, disrupt menstrual cycles, and alteration of hormone levels.

PREGNANCY & UNBORN BABIES
Regular use during pregnancy can lower birth weight and cause abnormalities similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - small head, irritability, poor growth and development.

CHROMOSOME DAMAGE
Can destroy the number of chromosomes, resulting in cell abnormalities and impaired function.
 

  
BRAIN & PERSONALITY
Extreme mood swings and personality changes. Paranoia, anxiety, irritability, aggressive and violent behavior, rage, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and euphoria.

HAIR
Male balding pattern occurs in women (irreversible).

HEAD
Frequent and continuous headaches.

FACE
Becomes round and puffy due to water retention. Acne. Increased facial hair growth in women.

EYES
Yellow staining of the eyes.

TONGUE
Sore tongue.

BREATH
Bad breath.

VOICE
Hoarseness and deepening of the voice in women.

HEART
Increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and death. High Blood pressure. Increase in cholesterol. Decrease in good cholesterol (HDL).

CHEST
Breast development in males. Tissue surrounding the nipple becomes swollen and sore.

LIVER
Liver tumors. Liver disease (Jaundice). Complete liver failure may result.

ABDOMINAL/INTESTINAL AREA
Abdominal and stomach pains are possible hemorrhaging. Nausea vomiting, and diarrhea.

STOMACH
Feeling of stomach bloatiness. Nausea, vomiting, and vomiting of blood.

KIDNEYS
Kidney disease. Kidney stones.

BLADDER
Frequent urge to urinate. Painful.

PROSTATE GLAND
Prostate enlargement.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALES
Shrunken testicles. Sterility, Impotence. Frequent, painful, and continuing erections. Adolescents experience enlarged penis and increased erections.

FEMALES
Changes in menstrual period. Infertility. Clitoral enlargement. Fetal Damage.

SKIN
Yellowing of the skin. Acne. Red spots and rashes over entire body. Stretch marks.

INJECTION SITE
Blood poisoning from injections. High risk of infectious diseases from non-sterile needles. Injection area(s) very tender and swollen.

MUSCLES, TENDONS, & LIGAMENTS
Increased risk of injury to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Long periods of recovery from injuries. Muscle cramps.

BONES
Loss of potential height (stunted growth) due to premature closure of ends of the bone. Bone pain.

ANKLE
Swelling of the ankle or lower leg.