Anti smoking drug: Wellbutrin

Deciding how to quit smoking marijuana can be one of the best and difficult decisions a person can make. Most people wrongly assume that smoking marijuana does not cause dependence or addiction. However, trying to quit smoking marijuana is easier said than done because it is habit forming and addictive.

What is marijuana's legal status?

Marijuana's legal status in the United States is somewhat confusing and contradictory. It is currently the most widely used illegal drug in the United States. Technically, the drug is listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, meaning that it is illegal for anyone to possess any amount of marijuana for any purpose, with the sole exception of approved scientific research. However, eleven states now have laws that allow consumers to possess small amounts of marijuana prescribed solely for medicinal purposes. Many local authorities have admitted that they routinely ignore cases involving small time marijuana users and some localities have passed laws allowing for the possession of small amount of marijuana for private use in a person's own home. That being said, the federal laws trump any state or local laws and the Supreme Court has consistently ruled in favor of the federal government in cases relating to the use of medical marijuana.

What are the effects of marijuana on the body?

Marijuana has many psychological, behavioral and physical effects on the body. The effects can vary from person to person and in severity based on a number of circumstances.

Marijuana's psychological effects, as reported by users includes:

• Paranoia, anxiety
• Changes in time perception
• Short term memory impairment
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• An increased awareness of the senses, including visual, taste, smell and hearing
• Relaxation or a calming effect
• Strong spiritual or religious experiences
• Increased creativity
• Increased mental activity, including introspection

Marijuana's physical effects, as observed and reported by users:

• An anti nausea effect
• Numbness in the extremities
• Increased coughing and deeper respira tion
• Dry mouth, also known as cottonmouth
• Increases and decreases appetite; it has been used by people in developing countries to alleviate hunger, while other populations report bingeing shortly after using marijuana.
• Lowered standing blood pressure
• Increased seated blood pressure
• Blood shot eyes
• Lack of coordination
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Fertility problems
• Respiratory problems

Marijuana's behavioral effects on the body, as reported by users:

• Various degrees of euphoria
• A short period of heightened wakefulness followed by a period of drowsiness
• Repetitiveness

Marijuana's long term effects on the body

• The long term effects marijuana has on the body are highly disputed and there is very little conclusive, reliable data on the subject. Many of the studies that had been conducted previously were tainted and often had no definite controls for other drugs or alcohol. Th is makes it very difficult to determine what marijuana's impact was on the study participants.
• Many scientists do agree that marijuana can impact serious psychological disorders. It appears to increase the incidence of mental illnesses among those who are already predisposed to certain mental illnesses.
• Unlike tobacco, cannabis it does not appear to cause emphysema and seems to have a negative correlation in cancer; due to this some scientists propose that marijuana has therapeutic benefits.
• However, marijuana, when smoked, contains tar, which is a known carcinogen.

What is some advice on how to quit smoking marijuana?

Deciding to quit smoking marijuana is a smart decision that can be very challenging. Currently, there are no medications available that effectively treat marijuana dependency. Listed below are a few ways that users have reported that helped them successfully stop smoking marijuana and remain smoke free.

• Decide why you smoke marijuana and w hy you want to quit. You will have no success trying to quit if you really don't want to quit. Helping someone quit smoking marijuana when they really don't want to is nearly impossible.
• Analyze your answers regarding smoking marijuana from the first suggestion. Determine if there is a pattern of smoking. Do you smoke at certain times of the day or with certain people? Do you smoke when you're bored or hanging out with friends? Do you smoke to obtain a certain type of feeling or when you are in a particular mood?
• Once you have identified the behavioral traits develop a behavior modification plan. If you noticed that you smoke marijuana when you're bored, make a note to take a walk, read or book or do something else you enjoy that is not connected to marijuana.
• Avoid situations where people will be smoking marijuana, especially during the first few weeks after you quit smoking marijuana. Explain to the friends you usually smoke with that you are quitting and would appreciate it if they didn't smoke around you.
• Many inpatient treatment centers offer detoxification programs for those that are trying to quit smoking marijuana.

Deciding how to quit smoking marijuana can be a difficult decision to make, but one that will offer increased health benefits.

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