22% of students have used marijuana/pot in the last year and use only increases as students get older, with some using it every day.
Do you know how pot affects your brain? When you smoke marijuana, you are inhaling a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC.
- THC prevents the natural chemicals in your brain from doing their job properly. It throws the whole system in your brain off balance.
- THC affects your balance and coordination.
- THC also affects the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that’s involved in movement control.
- THC affects the pleasure centre of the brain (which is why drugs make you feel good)
- THC will eventually affect areas that are involved in judgment decision making, learning, memory and behaviour
Find out how pot puzzles your brain.
Pot is not the only drug that students are using. Some other drugs include:
- Cough/cold medication
- Mushrooms/mescaline
- Salvia
- MDMA / ecstasy
- Jimson weed
- LSD
- Ketamine
- Stimulants
- A number of prescription drugs
All drugs, even alcohol, can be addictive. Learn more about addictions.
