One common aspect of our society is smoking. Whether it's marijuana (weed, pot, grass, ganja) or tobacco, smoking is seen in undoubtedly every city and town in the United States. But why do people smoke, and is there a difference between smoking tobacco and illegally smoking marijuana? Yes there is, but similarities also run between the two. .
Before you smoke it is important to realize the dangers involved while puffing away at your preferred substance. Even though they are legal, cigarettes are more dangerous to one's health compared to marijuana. Over 390,000 people die each year from the effects of smoking tobacco, and smoking also doubles the risk of a heart attack. Evidently, cancer is the main cause of death from smoking cigarettes.
On the other hand, the natural growing plant marijuana has some dangers of its own. Statistics show that the calculated annual death toll for this illegal substance is zero. Marijuana may not be deadly, but it has the tendency to increase your heart rate. After it is smoked or eaten it may lead to bloodshot eyes, a dry mouth, or an increase in hunger. Studies show that marijuana severely disrupts the short- term memory, increases imagination, and inner thought. One main concern is the laziness and anti-social behavior experienced by every day users. Continuous use may also initiate a psychological dependency on the drug. Clinical testing has also revealed that marijuana has several medicinal uses, such as reducing nausea in chemotherapy patients. Other outstanding effects are marijuana's use for increasing hunger levels in AIDS patients, and relieving pressure on the eyes of glaucoma sufferers. .
Whether its dangerous or not, smoking will always be a part of society. Many people disregard the apparent dangers of smoking because of the enjoyment or health benefits that they receive from smoking things such as a fine, Cuban cigar or a pipe of marijuana to ease the pain of chemotherapy.