"Cannabis & Your Body" PowerPoint
True or False: Cannabis CAN harm the growing brain.
TRUE!
Cannabis can harm the brain's development when it is used before the brain is fully developed (before age 25)
True or False: Your brain has the most potential for learning when it is growing and developing.
TRUE!
It's so important to not use cannabis before you are 25 because your brain's development would be negatively affected and therefore so would your learning
True or False: You CAN'T become addicted to cannabis.
FALSE!
You CAN become addicted to cannabis, especially when you use it before adulthood
True or False: Cannabis, specifically THC, tricks your brain into feeling good, but actually damages your brain over time.
TRUE!
Because cannabis tricks your brain into feeling good, a lot of people forget how damaging it actually is for your brain, ESPECIALLY at your age. That's why it is so important to not use it at your age.
True or False: Cannabis CANNOT harm different parts of the body, ONLY the growing brain.
FALSE!
Cannabis CAN harm different parts of your body, specifically your stomach & intestines, your heart, and your lungs.
Which chemical component in cannabis is addictive and makes a user feel high?
THC
True or False: 1 in 10 people who struggle with cannabis addiction started using cannabis when they were teens.
FALSE!
9 in 10 people who struggle with cannabis addiction (90% of them) started using cannabis when they were teens.
What are the 2 main chemical components in cannabis?
CBD and THC
True or False: If you are smoking or vaping cannabis, you CANNOT affect others around you.
FALSE!
When you use cannabis, especially smoking or vaping, you can negatively affect others around you by something called secondhand smoke and thirdhand smoke.
Which chemical component in cannabis is not addictive, does not make a user feel high, and is used for medicinal purposes?
CBD
True or False: The more you smoke/use cannabis, the higher your tolerance for cannabis becomes (you don't feel the effects as much).
TRUE!
The more cannabis you smoke, the higher your tolerance for it becomes, which causes you to smoke even more to feel something. This cycle often results in you smoking way too much and causes you to "green out," which is not good for you or your brain
What are 2 other commonly used names for cannabis?
Possible answers: Marijuana, Weed, Pot, Dope, Mary Jane, Grass, Bud, etc.
What is secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke is when someone breathes in smoke that was just breathed out by another person, which directly affects that person
True of False: CBD is known to cure many medical conditions.
FALSE!
The only evidence that has been found is that CBD can be safe and effective for patients having certain medical conditions, but it does not cure them. Specifically, CBD helps reduce seizures and it may help relieve cancer pain and ease the side effects of chemotherapy
What is the disorder called when someone is unable to stop using cannabis, even if it causes them health or social problems?
Cannabis Use Disorder
- 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have Cannabis Use Disorder
- The risk of developing this disorder is highest during adolescence and among those who use cannabis more frequently
What are 2 ways cannabis can be used?
It can be "smoked" by burning the flower, "vaped" in an electronic device, or "eaten" in the form of an edible
What is thirdhand smoke?
Thirdhand smoke is when someone breathes out smoke and the particles from that smoke go all over nearby objects and thus stays on/in those objects (such as carpets, walls, furniture, clothing, hair, toys, etc.). Anyone that then touches or uses those objects can ingest those particles, which can harm them
What is one problem that can come from using cannabis before 25 years old?
Possible answers: Affects brain development; affects learning and memory; don't do as well in school (lower test scores and lower grades); lower motivation (in school, interests, etc.); lower self-esteem
There is an increased risk of mental health conditions when smoking cannabis. What is 1 of those mental health conditions?
Possible Answers: Depression; Anxiety; Paranoia; Schizophrenia
What is it called when a person stops using cannabis and has negative symptoms?
Withdrawal
- When people are withdrawing from cannabis, the negative symptoms may include: cravings for cannabis; anger; aches and pains; depression; inability to concentrate; sleep disturbances, etc.
- To avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms, don't start using cannabis in the first place.