or eating raw marijuana can cause a number of effects, including feelings of euphoria, short-term memory loss, difficulty in completing complex tasks, changes in the perception of time and space, sleepiness, anxiety, confusion, and inability to concentrate. In studies, cannabinoids have been linked with dizziness, depression, paranoia, and hallucinations. Other side effects include low blood pressure, rapid heart beat, and heart palpitations. Instances of death are rare. A review of studies looked at cannabinoid use in chemotherapy patients and found that one in eleven would stop using it because of side effects.
Many researchers agree that marijuana contains known carcinogens, or chemicals that can cause cancer. Results of epidemiologic studies of marijuana and cancer risk have been inconsistent, and most recent epidemiologic studies have not found a substantial effect on cancer risk. However, some researchers caution that these studies are difficult to conduct, as some people may not be truthful about illegal habits such as smoking marijuana, and that these negative results should not be interpreted as convincing evidence of safety. They caution that smoking marijuana may decrease reproductive function, cause lung disease, and increase the risk of cancer of the lungs, mouth, and tongue. It may also suppress the body's immune system and increase the risk of leukemia in children whose mothers smoke marijuana during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use marijuana.
The symptoms of a marijuana overdose include nausea, vomiting, hacking cough, disturbances to heart rhythms, and numbness in the limbs. Chronic use can also lead to laryngitis, bronchitis, and general apathy. With chronic use, the ability to learn and remember new information may become impaired.
Although it is rare, severe shutdown of blood circulation to the arms or legs has been reported in young people who smoked marijuana. In some cases, it was so severe that amputation was required. Marijuana may also serve as a trigger for a heart attack on rare occasions, usually within an hour after smoking. Allergic reactions, some severe, have been reported.
Dronabinol, the prescription drug form of THC, also can cause complications. People with heart problems may have trouble with increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and fainting. Dronabinol can cause mood changes or a feeling of being "high" that is uncomfortable for some people. It can also worsen depression, mania, or other mental illness, and it may increase some effects of sedatives, sleeping pills, or alcohol, such as sleepiness and poor coordination.
Driving, operating machinery, or engaging in hazardous activities that require clear thinking and good coordination are not recommended until dronabinol’s effects are known. People taking dronabinol should be under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times when they start taking the medication and after any dose adjustments.
Like marijuana, dronabinol should not be used during breast-feeding because the drug is concentrated in breast milk and is passed to the baby. It is not recommended during pregnancy. People who have had emotional illnesses, paranoia, or hallucinations may become worse when taking dronabinol or marijuana.
Older patients may have more problems with side effects and are usually started on lower doses.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
)...
