Speaking about marijuana’s influence on the brain, doctors always focus on the occurrence of psychogenic syndrome. This state is manifested by mental weakness caused by organic lesions of the brain. Vascular disorders play a decisive role in the development of pathology. Scientists have proven that severe hashish intoxication develops after taking marijuana. As a result, the blood flow in the brain vessels becomes distorted. Toxic substances that are distinguished as a result of smoking cannabis penetrate the blood. Getting into the capillaries, the drug prevents blood from proceeding at normal speed. As a result, the brain is at a high risk of being damaged as well as the structures that are located next to it (Marijuana DrugFacts, 2019). The adverse effects of marijuana become even more pronounced and tangible if a person smokes cannabis for a long time. Each month, the number of dead nerve cells increases. Then there are failures in the functioning of the central nervous system.
Marijuana abuse can lead to severe changes in the body. For example, problems such as heart failure, tachycardia, hypertension; Reducing the level of testosterone, the anomaly of spermatozoa; violations of motility problems with movement may occur in the long run of the use of marijuana. One of the main misconceptions is that marijuana causes no addiction. The practical research proved that the long usage of this drug could cause marijuana use disorder leading to dependence on this drug (Is marijuana addictive, 2021). Another myth of marijuana is that the drug improves metabolism and promotes weight loss. The action of cannabinoids on metabolism is undoubted. They reduce blood glucose levels (therefore, a brutal appetite appears) and cause dehydration. Due to this, catabolic processes in the body are activated. Thus, the changes in metabolism and weight are spurious and unhealthy.
Considering the short-term effects of heroin on the human brain, one of the most dangerous ones is the activation of the opioid receptors. The first symptoms after taking this drug may include vomiting, dizziness, hypothermia, and shortness of breath. From the long-time perspective, heroin has a cumulative effect, interfering with the work of almost all organs, causing the deterioration of the cells (What are the long-term effects of heroin, 2021). The drug assessment of 2019 shows that New Jersey is one of the higher levels of heroin reports counting for over 100 000 per year (National drug threat assessment, 2020). The number of reports in the mentioned state increases each year. There are various support programs and hotlines for people addicted to heroin. People seeking help or their close friends or relatives can learn more about these programs by calling the medical centers or advertising. Then, professionals will direct them to the detox centers or rehabs where clinicians provide treatment for addicted people.
Should Nicotine Be Made Illegal? Why or Why Not?
The law should not prosecute nicotine usage. First of all, even though it is considered a toxic substance but not a drug in a prevalent number of countries, nicotine is addictive. From a practical medicine perspective, nicotine does not cause a change in thinking and perception and has no hypnotic effect (Is nicotine addictive, 2021). Therefore, the medical criterion in defining nicotine as a “narcotic substance” is excluded. The dependence that nicotine causes is attributed to dependence on a poisonous substance. If nicotine is illegal, the psychological temptation will be increased.
Moreover, nicotine addiction is primarily related to psychology, not physiology. Mass media, cinematography, literature, and other sources affecting social cognition promote nicotine as one of the attractive personal features. Considering the creation of smoking culture by the films and TV show series, nicotine usage can not be abolished by making it illegal. This problem requires another, more innovative solution. It would be more rational to develop people’s awareness of the adverse effects of nicotine to lower the rates of nicotine users. Creating the alternative to nicotine tobacco without having adverse health effects can be the rational solution for this problem.
Legalization
The legalization of marijuana in some countries is dangerous. Such a situation can increase drug usage rates. Marijuana use over a prolonged time leads to an imbalance of neurotransmitters (Marijuana DrugFacts, 2019). Most often, addicted people start to seek more powerful drugs after marijuana. The legal status of marijuana can be preserved only in medicine, considering the accurate conversion of cannabis into a medical drug suitable for safe treatment. Thus, some counties should eliminate the legal status of this drug.
Heroin legalization should never be proposed because it will definitely increase the number of drug users. Hard drugs are extremely dangerous and will cause a huge percentage of drug-related deaths. Moreover, legalizing heroin state puts teenagers at the highest risk. Being at the development state, young people are affected by heroin severely. The future generation’s physical and mental state and the future of society can be destroyed by heroin legalization.
Changes in the legal status of nicotine are unnecessary. The nicotine itself is not that dangerous compared with the chemical additives infiltrated into the cigarettes. The legislation aimed at controlling the structure of cigarettes can be proposed. Cancer-provoking substances should be minimized. Making nicotine illegal may increase the number of black-market tobacco sellers, negatively affecting the countries’ economy. The forbidden fruit temptation psychology may cause the increase of nicotine usage. Therefore, enhancing nicotine with an illegal status has many negative consequences.
References
Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). National drug threat assessment. Web.
NIDA. (2021). Is marijuana addictive? National Institute of Health. Web.
NIDA. (2021). Is nicotine addictive? National Institute of Health. Web.
NIDA. (2019). Marijuana DrugFacts. National Institute of Health. Web.
NIDA. (2021). What are the long-term effects of heroin use? National Institute of Health. Web.