Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs 8 th grade Illegal Drugs Lesson 8- pD56-61
Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs
8th gradeIllegal Drugs
Lesson 8- pD56-61
Marijuana
An illegal drug containing THC. THC: a chemical that affects short-
term memory and causes mood changes
Marijuana is made from dried, crushed parts of the hemp plant, scientific name is Cannabis sativa
Marijuana-more unhealthy than cigarettes!
Contains most of the harmful chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke
One marijuana cigarette contains 4 times more tar than smoking a cigarette.
Hashish: another drug that comes from marijuana plant- usually has many times more THC.
THC
THC is fat-soluable, meaning gets absorbed and stored in your fat cells.
It is released slowly and can effect mental and physical functions for days
Can be detected for up to a month with a drug test
Stats and Facts
Use of marijuana is decreasing among 8th, 10th and 12th graders, but it’s still too high!
Marijuana and the Brain
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens interfere with the senses and cause people to see and hear things that are not really there.
Called Hallucinations
LSD, PCP, Ecstasy, Mescaline
LSD
Powder, tablet or capsule
Can also be dissolved in small pieces of paper, sugar cubes or candy and absorbed through the skin.
Hallucinations can be terrifying
Flashbacks
A sudden illusion that a person has long after having used a hallucinogenic drug.
It can include hallucinations, bizarre visual effects such as flashes of colored light.
No treatment for flashbacks
PCP (angel dust)
Veterinary medication that is use illegally used as a hallucinogen.
Causes unsafe fluctuations in blood pressure, Heart rate, and breathing
Ecstasy
Also known as MDMA
Produces a false sense of well-being and increased energy
Causes nerve damage that can lead to mental and psychiatric problems
Referred to as a club drug or designer drug
Ecstasy Effects
Can cause twitching
Blurred vision
Causes increased body temperature, resulting in organ faliure
Death
Mescaline
A hallucinogen made from the peyote cactus
Same effects as LSD
Effects can last up to 12 hours
Anabolic Steroids
A drug used to artificially increase muscle size and strength
Taken orally, injected into muscles, or rubbed on the skin in gel form.
Steroids cause….
Elevated BP, severe acne, increased cholesterol
In males, breast enlargement, shrinkage of the testes, and baldness
In females, growth of body hair, smaller breasts, coarse skin, deeper voice, and disruption of the menstrual cycle.
Steriod Acne
Steroid- other side effects(as if those weren’t bad enough)
They signal bones to stop growing, so it could lead to stunted growth
Can cause heart attacks, strokes, liver disease and endocarditis (an inflamation of the lining of the heart.
Roid rage: intense feelings of anger, hostility or aggression.
Can cause depression and suicidal thoughts.
Inhalants
Chemicals or fumes from common household products that are sniffed or inhaled for their mind-altering effects.
Mostly legal products that are abused
It is illegal to use products in this way
Inhalants
Inhalants
Sniffing: breathing in inhalants directly from an open container
Huffing: inhaling them from an inhalant-soaked rag.
Bagging: breathing in the vapors from an open container or soaked rag placed inside a paper bag
Inhalants
When inhalants are breathed in, they deprive the body of oxygen
Cause headaches, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and loss of muscle coordination
Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome
Death can occur the FIRST time a person abuses inhalants
Don’t gamble with your life!