The Health Risks and Benefits of Using Marijuana: Does One Outweigh the Other?

The use of marijuana is often a hotly debated topic. The recreational use of marijuana is illegal in the United States, and there has been much deliberation over the legality of medical marijuana use. Research has shown that there are both risks and benefits to using marijuana. The question is, does one outweigh the other?

Risks

"The major active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the mind-altering effects of marijuana intoxication" (Marijuana Abuse). THC enters the brain by passing through the lungs into the bloodstream, and then affects various centers in the brain, causing several health risks outlined below.

Health risks include: impaired thinking and memory; diminished balance and coordination; increased chance of heart attack; increased risk of respiratory infection; increased risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer, and cancer of the respiratory tract; and possible hallucinations (Marijuana as Medicine). There is also a link between marijuana use and fatal accidents. "Studies show that 6 to 11 percent of fatal accident victims test positive for THC" (Marijuana Abuse). Marijuana use may also hamper the ability of the immune system to fight off infections. In addition, marijuana may be addictive. Research has shown that "people trying to quit report irritability, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. They also display increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they stopped using the drug" (Marijuana Abuse).

Benefits

Medical benefits to marijuana use have been acknowledged throughout the medical community. These benefits primarily treat symptoms of various diseases, including: treatment of nausea often associated with cancer chemotherapy treatment; reduction of pressure in the eyes benefiting individuals with glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the U.S.; relief of pain often associated with cancer; and possible protection of nerves from the damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), thus reducing tremors and muscle spasms associated with the disease (Marijuana as Medicine).

More recent research has discovered additional benefits to marijuana use. A University of Saskatchewan study suggests that the use of marijuana may stimulate the growth of brain cells. The study has shown that "a synthetic substance similar to ones found in marijuana stimulates cell growth in regions of the brain associated with anxiety and depression, pointing the way for new treatments for these diseases" (U of S Research). In addition, a study conducted by the Scripps Research institute shows that THC prevents the formation of harmful plaque in the brain, which suggests that THC "may be the most effective drug for treating the declining effects of Alzheimer's disease" (Marijuana's Benefits Explored).

Conclusion

It is difficult to say whether the risks or benefits of marijuana use outweigh one another. There does not appear to be any general health benefit that would endorse recreational use, and the risks appear great. However, specific benefits to treat certain conditions or symptoms are evident, and may outweigh the risks in certain circumstances. Doctors and researchers are studying these benefits in an attempt to use the information to create safer and possibly risk-free treatments (Marijuana as Medicine).

References

Faltermeier, A. "Marijuana's Benefits Explored." The University Daily Kansan website. URL: http://www.kansan.com/stories/2006/oct/11/marijuana/?news

"Marijuana Abuse." National Institute on Drug Abuse website. URL: http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRMarijuana.pdf

"Marijuana as Medicine: Consider the Pros and Cons." Mayo Clinic website. URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical-marijuana/GA00014

"U of S Research Suggests Marijuana Analogue Stimulates Brain Cell Growth." University of Saskatchewan website. URL: http://announcements.usask.ca/news/archive/2005/10/u_of_s_research_29.html