Weed is probably the world’s most popular casual use drug that is illegal in most nations. It has become so widespread that many people wouldn’t think twice about asking to light up at a friend’s or to smoke in public places. It is an ancient drug that has been used throughout history for medical, magical, and pleasurable purposes. Thanks to the scare-tactics of propaganda in the 1960s and 1970s, there are many myths surrounding the drug – this list intends to put things straight once and for all.
1. Weed is highly addictive
Fact: Less than one percent of Americans smoke Weed more than once per day. Of the heavy users, a tiny minority develop what appears to be a dependence and rely on the assistance of drug rehabilitation services to stop smoking but there is nothing in Weed which causes physical dependence and the most likely explanation for those who need assistance is that they are having difficulty breaking the habit – not the “addiction”.
2. Weed is more damaging to the lungs than cigarettes
Fact: First of all, people who smoke Weed but not cigarettes tend to smoke far less frequently – thereby limiting their exposure to the dangers in the smoke. Furthermore, smokers of Weed are not inhaling the many additives that go into commercial cigarettes to make them burn down faster or to stay alight. There has even been some evidence that marijuana smoke does not have the same effect on the bronchial tubes as cigarette smoke, so even heavy use may not lead to emphysema.
3. Weed is more potent now than in the past
Fact: The reason that this myth has come about is that samples taken by drug enforcement agencies are used to test for potency but they are a tiny sample of the Weed on the market. The vast majority of Weed taken today is the same potency as it has been for decades. In fact, even if the potency were greatly higher, it would make little difference to the user as Weed of varying potency produces very similar effects. Furthermore, there is statistical data on Weed potency dating back to the 1980s which is more reliable than present methods of detection, and that shows little or no increase.
4. Weed is a gateway drug – in other words, it leads to abuse of more potent drugs
Fact: For most people, Weed is a terminus drug, not a gateway drug. Users of high strength drugs such as heroin or LSD are also statistically more likely to have used Weed in the past, but this is just toying with statistics; when comparing the number of Weed users with hard-drug users, the numbers are extremely small – suggesting that there is no link at all.
5. Weed kills brain cells
Fact: Weed does not cause any profound changes in a person’s mental ability. It is true that after taking the drug some people can experience panic, paranoia, and fright, these effects pass and certainly don’t become permanent. It is possible for a person to consume so much of the drug that they suffer from toxic psychosis, but again this is not unique to Weed and is very rare.
6. Weed causes crime
Fact: Some people believe that Weed use leads to violence and aggression, and that this, in turn, leads to crime. But the facts just don’t stack up. Serious research into this area has found that Weed users are often less likely to commit crimes because of its effect in reducing aggression. Having said that, because of the number of nations that have outlawed Weed, most users in the world are technically classified as criminals merely for possessing the drug.
7. Weed use causes apathy and a lack of motivation
Fact: In fact, studies done on test subjects in which they were given a high dose of Weed regularly over a period of days or weeks found that there was no loss in motivation or ability to perform. Of course, abuse of any intoxicating substance over long periods will reduce a person’s ability to function normally, but Weed is no better or worse. Furthermore, studies indicate that Weed users tend to have higher paid jobs than non-users.
8. Weed has been scientifically proven to be harmful
Fact: Let us start with a quote: “the smoking of Weed, even long term, is not harmful to health.” This quote comes from the peer-reviewed British medical journal The Lancet (founded in 1823). There is certainly no scientific consensus on Weed use, and certainly no scientific proof that casual use is dangerous to health.
9. Weed use causes memory loss and a general reduction in logic and intelligence
Fact: This is another myth which has elements of truth to it – no doubt the reason it is believed by so many. Laboratory tests have shown that Weed diminishes the short term memory – but only when a person is intoxicated with it. A person who has taken Weed will be able to remember things learned before they took it but may have trouble learning new information during intoxication. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever to suggest that this can become a long-term or permanent problem when sober.
10. Weed’s active ingredient THC gets stored in body fat and its effects can last days or even weeks
Fact: It is true that Weed (like many other drugs) enters the body’s fat stores, and it is for this reason that it can be detected long after use, but that is the only part of this myth which is true. The fact is, the psychoactive aspects of the stored Weed are used up quickly and while the residue of the drug remains, it no longer has any effect on the person. Furthermore, the presence of THC in body fat is not harmful to the fat, the brain, or any other part of the body.
H/T: listverse.com