Episode 3 of 5

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There are countless studies that seem to contradict one another as to whether or not marijuana is bad or good for you. So what do we know as the research stands right now?

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Previous Episode:

Where Did Marijuana Come From, And How Did It Spread?: http://www.seeker.com/how-thc-replaces-your-brains-neurotransmitters-1858191538.html

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Sources:

Smoking vs. Vaping: This Is How They Affect Your Body:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/18/smoking-vs-vaping_n_8004290.html

“When it comes to the argument of smoking vs. vaping, the one that wins is often just the lesser of two evils.”

Marijuana Smoke Contains Higher Levels Of Certain Toxins Than Tobacco Smoke:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217110328.htm

“Here’s another reason to “keep off the grass.” Researchers in Canada report that marijuana smoke contains significantly higher levels of several toxic compounds — including ammonia and hydrogen cyanide — than tobacco smoke and may therefore pose similar health risks.”

Casual Marijuana Smoking Not Harmful To Lungs:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/casual-marijuana-smoking/

“It wouldn’t have mattered if Bill Clinton inhaled, as far as his lungs are concerned. Smoking up to a joint per day doesn’t seem to decrease lung function, according to a study published in Jan. 11 edition of Journal of the American Medical Association.”

Smoking Statistics: Illness And Death:
http://ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_106.pdf

“Smoking is the primary cause of preventable illness and premature death, accounting for approximately 96,000 deaths a year in the United Kingdom. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and dramatically reduces both quality of life and life expectancy.”

Marijuana-Smokers Harm Gums; Other Physical Effects Slight:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160601132453.htm

“A long-term study of nearly 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 38 has found that people who smoked marijuana for up to 20 years have more gum disease, but otherwise do not show worse physical health than non-smokers.”

Effects Of Marijuana Smoking On The Lungs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23802821

“Regular smoking of marijuana by itself causes visible and microscopic injury to the large airways that is consistently associated with an increased likelihood of symptoms of chronic bronchitis that subside after cessation of use.”

Hidden Risk? Marijuana May Be Bad for Your Heart:
http://www.livescience.com/48073-marijuana-heart-attack-risk.html

“A healthy 21-year-old man had a heart attack after smoking marijuana, and the doctors who treated him believe the drug is what caused his heart attack, according to a new report of this case.”

Marijuana Use, Cardiovascular Complications Linked In New Study:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/23/marijuana-heart-complications-cardiovascular_n_5194103.html

“A new study from France shows an association between marijuana use and heart-related complications. The findings are based on data from the addictovigilance system in France, which includes cardiovascular-related complications associated with marijuana use between 2006 and 2010.”

STUDY: Cannabis Is More Damaging To Young People Than Adults:
http://www.businessinsider.com/cannabis-is-damaging-to-people-under-18-years-old-long-term-study-suggests-2012-8

“Adolescents who are regular users of cannabis are at risk of permanent damage to their intelligence, attention span and memory, according to the results of research covering nearly four decades.”

Brain Changes:
http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/youngadult/brain.html

“The limitations of the “teen brain” has been well publicized in the mass media, helping parents, teachers, and others understand why it may be difficult for teens to meet our expectations and demands for managing emotions, handling risks, responding to relationships, and engaging in complex school work or employment.”

Brain Maturity Extends Well Beyond Teen Years:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708

“Under most laws, young people are recognized as adults at age 18. But emerging science about brain development suggests that most people don’t reach full maturity until the age 25.”

Mixed Findings on Pot’s Effect on the Developing Brain:
https://consumer.healthday.com/kids-health-information-23/adolescents-and-teen-health-news-719/mixed-findings-on-pot-s-effect-on-the-developing-brain-702662.html

“Marijuana’s potential effect on brain structure remains a subject of intense scientific scrutiny, but mixed results have emerged from two of the latest studies on the topic.”

Marijuana And The Developing Brain:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/11/marijuana-brain.aspx

“Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States — but the