5Bendarsky

Jonathan Bendarsky Human Physiology Period 5 1) Public Service Announce Announcement

media type="file" key="BendarskyMemo.m4a" width="300" height="50" Over the course of the year our class has studied, in great depth, very important physiological material. Many chapters include concepts that the class would spend multiple class periods simply discussing the essential most important parts of the chapter. This class's required material to be taught ranges through a variety of different topics. Between studying how obesity affects our country, to how the body recovers from an extreme change in temperature, the amount of information that the class has recieved is extremely important in our everyday lives. I feel as though i can take what i have learned in this class to better myself. One chapter, in particular, is vital in our day to day lives. This was our last chapter that we covered; drug abuse and drug addiction. Although no importance should be taken away from the other material that we have studied, I feel that the drug abuse chapter is closest to our high school/ college lives. Upon arrival of our new colleges, we students will endure temptations and peer pressure. Millions of students succumb to peer pressure every year, and use drugs. These drugs are not only determental to the human body, but take many other affects on one's life. The material that we studied in class has provided the students with information that will hopefully keep them away from making poor choices. Although the initial purpose of this class is not to promote staying clean, the information that the students are provided with leave a very important impression, and will hopefully steer them away. In this world that we live in, temptation is one of the hardest forces to resist. One phrase that the students were given by Mr. Keaney is as follows: Succeptibility does not mean inevitability. (vulnerability, not inevitability). This phrase was used to describe how a drug user is succeptible to becoming an addict, but is not inevitably going to become one. I feel as though this phrase can not only be used to describe a user, but can describe the succetibility that a college student has to using drugs in general (vulnerability). Therefor, the information that we are provided with in this class about this chapter is extremely important to study.

6. Medical Marijuana. Determining whether or not Marijuana should be legal or not, is one of the most controversial topics being discussed today. Many People believe that there are no cons to smoking the drug, and many people belive that there are no pros for the drug. When i researched the drug, i came to the conclusion that it is mostly an oppinion based question. There is no hard evidence that there are cons to the drug. However, there are millions of scientists that have an oppinion that there are cons that come with smoking.

Pros:
 * Marijuana has been used to enhance the appetite of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
 * Studies have shown that marijuana is beneficial in relieving a person from the uneasy feeling of nausea.
 * Doctors have made use of marijuana, successfully, in the treatment of neurogenic pain.
 * The people suffering from glaucoma, asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana.
 * Marijuana can help relieve the chronic pain and suffering of people with incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc.
 * Marijuana is regarded to be a 'mind opener' i.e. it can help people broaden their outlook and think creatively.
 * Cons**

Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), problems with memory and learning, lack of proper coordination, trouble with problem-solving, increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure are some of the short-term effects of marijuana.
 * Short-term Effects**

Marijuana contains an active ingredient, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC that acts on the cannabinoid receptors of the nerve cells and influences the activities of the cells, like pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory, time perception and coordinated movement. High doses of marijuana, when consumed through food, can cause hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory and disorientation.
 * Effects on the Brain**

The heart beat increases rapidly and the blood pressure drops within minutes of smoking marijuana. A person’s heart beat can increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute. A marijuana smoker is three times more at a risk of heart attack.
 * Effects on the Heart**

Burning and stinging of the mouth and throat and heavy coughing are some effects that are caused by smoking marijuana, even infrequently. Marijuana causes respiratory problems in smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, increased risk of lung infections and obstructed airways. Marijuana smokers are three times more likely to develop head and neck cancer, as compared to non-smokers.
 * Effects on the Lungs**

Studies have found that mothers who have used marijuana during pregnancy have given birth to children who are likely to exhibit problems with neurological developments. Prenatal marijuana exposure can cause altered responses to visual stimuli, increased tremulousness, problems with sustained attention and memory and poor problem-solving skills.
 * Effects during Pregnancy**

Researches indicate that the THC found in marijuana impairs the body’s immune system from fighting diseases that result in a wide variety of health problems. It increases the risk of developing bacterial infections and tumors as well.
 * Other Health Effects**

I think that Marijuana should be legalized. It providdes many benefits to society, and individuals.