Marijuana Synthetics Kerry Herndon MSW LACE Western Montana

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

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

Street Terms (Some of Them) Hash Cannabis Pot Joint Afgan Black Rock Grass Dope Bhang Weed Bush Draw Broccoli Budda Grass Dry High Dubby Gage Ganja Gangster Giggleweed Hemp Herb Jive Kiff Jane Mary Jane Loco Weed Mexican Green Panama Red Puff Resin Roach Reefer Sativa Smoke Spliff Tea Texas Tea Thai Sticks Skunk Chronic Cheeba Bammy Blanket Blunt Ashes Bo-Bo Bomber Ding Giggle Smoke Cripple Dinkie Dow

How “Dope” is Used Smoked Ingested Vaporized

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.

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.

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”.

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

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

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

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 (20 x 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.

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.

More on Mental Health w/ Weed Adolescents 6 x 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.

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

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

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)

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

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

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

Other Things To Consider

Synthetic Marijuana

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 2012 As of Dec. 31, 2012 5, 200 May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture

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 12 th graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana as females in the same age group.

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.

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

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

Spice/K 2: 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

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.

One Last Thought… http: //www. huffingtonpost. com/2011/06/04/l egal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173. html