What happens when you smoke marijuana?

[xaniac_uk]

I'm not talking about 'you get high and blah blah blah' I'm talking about the neurological/biological changes e.g. an increase in dopermine levels or neurone receptors being effected things like that. I've tried looking on the internet and they just say about the harmful effects of long term use.

[incitatus]

the truth is that it isnt well studied "in use" due to licensing problems. but what we do know suggests that pot potentiates dopamine recpetors, that is increases the effect of the dopamine present in the body. this is why feelings and senses become more intense. this is also why you tend to feel like dung the next day as your receptors need time to recover. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that it interferes with the serotonin/melatonin cascade leading to sleep disturbance.

[woofgang]

I understand that reaction times are slowed although the user may not be aware of this and this can lead to increased risk of accident...don't know the physiology behind this though

[chrisbailey]

There are loads of problems it causes, including paranoia. My friends smoke it a lot and are all now dependant on it. Although it isn't physically addictive like heroin, none of them can give it up because they are psycologically addicted. One of my mates gets really ratty and evil if he hasn't had it. He needs it to be happy.