Marijuana and Anabolic Steroids By: Rachel LaBoone and Matthew Mobley

Marijuana: What it is? Scientific name = Cannabis sativa Plant called “cannabis” Consists of seeds, flowers, stems and bud. Color can be green, brown, or gray or any mixture of the three. Main chemical is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. About 400 other chemicals found in marijuana.

Marijuana: THC Content Between and 1970’s and 2007, the THC content of marijuana has been going up. On the streets, the higher the THC content the better the marijuana. On average, marijuana has 10% THC.

Marijuana: Street Names Pot Grass Herb Weed Mary Jane Reefer Kif Chronic Ganja Boom Gangster Skunk

Marijuana: How it’s used Most common method = smoking. Joints or nails Blunts (cigar wrappers) Bong (water pipe) Brewed with tea Mixed with food Brownies, cookies, or any sweets.

Marijuana: Teens Most teens use the excuse, “Everyone’s doing it.” A survey from 2009 shows that 7% of 8th graders, 16% of 10th graders, and 21% of 12th graders had used marijuana the previous month.

Marijuana: Short Term Effects Good feeling after use THC triggers brain cells to release dopamine Creates the good feeling Off balance Loss of concentration Failure to remember things Possible death Car crash, etc. Risky sexual behavior Increases heart rate

Marijuana: Long Term Effects Could be harder to complete everyday tasks Take 100% of your focus to do tasks Hallucinations or false ideas Respiratory damage Getting colds and coughs easier Risk of cancer Addiction

Marijuana: When long term use is stopped Irritability Sleep problems Insomnia Weight loss These effects can last from days to weeks Relapse can occur.

Marijuana: Lead to other drugs Teens who use marijuana have a higher chance of using other drugs, such as cocaine or meth, than teens who do not use marijuana. Since it is illegal, you have to buy it “under the table” which could lead to peer pressure of other drugs.

Marijuana: Medical uses THC is used to treat: Nausea in cancer patients Anything that happens undergoing chemotherapy Stimulate appetite in patients Involuntary weight loss due to AIDS.

Marijuana: Article http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/2003_pot_arrests.htm

Anabolic Steroids: What is it? Synthetic steroid hormone that resembles testosterone in promoting the growth of muscle Anabolic = muscle building Can be legally prescribed

Anabolic Steroids: Abuse Used to enhance performance or physical appearance Athletes and non-athletes use it Taken orally or injected in cycles “Cycles”: a pattern of use in which steroids are taken for periods of weeks or months Users normally combine diff. types to increase effectiveness Practice called “Stacking”

Anabolic Steroids: Effects on body Anabolic Steroids connect to androgen and estrogen receptors on the surface of the cell Long term use: Effects brain pathways and chemicals in the brain such as: Dopamine Serotonin Opioid Systems Effects can effect the mood of the person taking the steroids

Anabolic Steroids: Adverse Effects Liver damage Pigment in skin Tissues Bodily fluids High blood pressure LDL increase HDL decrease Severe acne Trembling Renal Failure For men: Shrinking of testicles, reduced sperm count, baldness, breast development, risk of prostate cancer For woman: Facial hair, baldness, change in menstrual cycle, depended voice,

Anabolic Steroids: In students 8th grade = 1.4% 10th grade = 1.4% 12th grade = 2.2%

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid (Picture) http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/steroids.html http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj1.php