Marijuana & Synthetics

1. Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-E Western Montana Addiction Services Project SUCCESS- Sentinel HS Marijuana & Synthetics

2. First Thing First…THE BRAIN • Age 25: Fully Developed • Age 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

3. Street Terms (Some of Them)

4. How “Dope” is Used • Smoked • Ingested • Vaporized

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Marijuana: Short Term • Bloodshot eyes • Dry mouth and throat • Decreased social inhibitions • Motivation and cognition • Learning difficulties • Difficulty speaking, listening effectively • Intense anxiety or panic attacks • Paranoia • Drops blood pressure • “Whoa, Dude, I gotta sit down”.

8. 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

9. 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

10. Marijuana & The Heart • Heart rate (increase up to 50%) • Blood pressure drops • Heart attack 4x more likely within an hour of smoking marijuana compared to not smoking

11. Marijuana & The Lungs • Burning and stinging of the throat • Heavy coughing • Frequent chest illnesses & lung infections • Similar problems as tobacco smokers • Cancer 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Mary Jane and Digestion • Burning and stinging of mouth/throat • Changes in potassium levels • Changes in amount of protein and Ph of urine • Some 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

15. Hash and the Immune System • Lowered immune system • Cancer patients in treatment may be impacted differently by the effect of marijuana on the immune system. • Suppress auto-immune system • Reduces white cell production

16. Grass & Musculoskeletal System • Slows muscle growth • Decreases muscle mass • Lowers testosterone needed for muscle growth • Used as a muscle relaxant • Increased muscle spasms • Absorption of calcium reduced • Weakened bones (especially in adolescent women)

17. 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 cycles • Male infertility issues • Lower sperm count/mobility of sperm impacted • Lower volume of seminal fluid • Reduced testosterone

18. 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 behaviors • Denial of organ transplants

19. 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

20. Other Things To Consider

21. Synthetic Marijuana

22. 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 Calls 2010 2,906 2011 6,968 2012As of Dec. 31, 2012 5,200 • May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture

23. 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.

24. Synthetics- Why do people use them? • Advertised as natural and safe • Lack of education about the risks • Less likely to get caught (UA’s) • Sometimes it is easier to access • Suppose to feel like marijuana, but the high comes faster and doesn’t last as long • Creates a relaxed feeling • Advertising! The packaging looks fun.

25. 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

26. Synthetics & The Heart • Increased heart rate • Elevated blood pressure • Reduced blood supply to the heart (myocardial ischemia) • Associated with heart attacks

27. 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

28. Synthetics: More Info • 3-5 times more potent than THC in marijuana • Addictive? YES! • Withdrawal similar to that of narcotics. • Long-term effects unknown • MIXING is dangerous! • More drugs found laced with synthetics • Many more “Designer Drugs” being developed, all out have had deaths associated with them.

29. One Last Thought… • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/legal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173.html