bronchitis and emphysema are likely to develop, and the

risk of heart attack due to cardiovascular disease

increases.
Now that women are as apt to smoke as men, lung
cancer has surpassed breast cancer as a cause of death in
women. Cigarette smoking in young women who are
sexually active is most unfortunate because nicotine,
like other psychoactive drugs, adversely affects a devel-
oping embryo and fetus.
Marijuana
The dried flowering tops, leaves, and stems of the
Indian hemp plant Cannabis sativa contain and are
covered by a resin that is rich in TC
!tetrahydrocannabinol". The names Cannabis and
mari#uana apply to either the plant or TC.
The effects of mari#uana differ depending on the
strength and the amount consumed, the expertise of the
user, and the setting in which it is taken. $sually, the
user reports experiencing a mild euphoria along with
alterations in vision and #udgment, which result in
distortions of space and time. %otor incoordination
occurs, as well as the inability to concentrate and to
speak coherently.
Intermittent use of low-potency mari#uana
generally is not associated with obvious symptoms of
toxicity, but heavy use can produce chronic intoxication.
Intoxication is recogni&ed by the presence of
hallucinations, anxiety, depression, rapid flow of ideas,
body image distortions, paranoid reactions, and similar
psychotic symptoms. The terms cannabis psychosis and
cannabis delirium refer to such reactions.
%ari#uana is classified as a hallucinogen. It is
possible that, like '() !lysergic acid diethylamide", it
has an effect on the action of serotonin, an excitatory
neurotransmitter in the brair.
%ari#uana use does not seem to pro*ice physical
dependence, but a psychological dependence on the
euphoric and sedative effects can develop. Craving can
also occur (sa part of regular heavy use.
$sually mari#uana is smoked in a cigarete form
called a #oint. (ince this allows toxic stfifc stances,
including carcinogens, to enter the lungs, chronic
respiratory disease and lung cancer are considered
dangers of long-term, heavy use. (ome researchers
claim that mari#uana use leads to long-term brain
impairment