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SourceNational Institute on Drug Abuse Back To the Table of Contents ForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesGrowing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide To Prevention
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Q: If someone is pregnant and smokes it, will marijuana hurt the baby?A: Doctors advise pregnant women not to use any drugs because they could harm the growing fetus.Some scientific studies have found that babies born to marijuana users were shorter, weighed less, and had smaller head sizes than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. Smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems. There are also research data showing nervous system problems in children of mothers who smoked marijuana. Researchers are not certain whether a newborn baby's health problems, if they are caused by marijuana, will continue as the child grows.
Q: What does marijuana do to the brain?A: THC disrupts the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. This makes it hard for the user to recall recent events, and so it is hard to learn while high. A working short-term memory is required for learning and performing tasks that call for more than one or two steps.Some studies show that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions. Researchers are still learning about the many ways that marijuana affects the brain.
Q: Can people become addicted to marijuana?A: Yes. While not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, when a user begins to feel that he or she needs to take the drug to feel well, that person is said to be dependent or addicted to the drug. About 100,000 people seek treatment for marijuana use each year, showing they need help to stop using.Some frequent, heavy users of marijuana develop a tolerance for it. "Tolerance" means that the user needs larger doses of the drug to get the same desired results that he or she used to get from smaller amounts.
Q: What if a person wants to quit using the drug?A: Up until a few years ago, it was hard to find treatment programs specifically for marijuana users.Now researchers are testing different ways to help marijuana users abstain from drug use. There are currently no medications for treating marijuana dependence. Treatment programs focus on counseling and group support systems. There are also a number of programs designed especially to help teenagers who are abusers. Family doctors are also a good source for information and help in dealing with adolescent marijuana problems.
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