All drugs of abuse affect the way your brain and body function. Drugs have an immediate effect on your body, but they can also create long-lasting changes even when you have stopped taking the drug. For instance, the effects of
marijuana can "last" up to several hours from a single joint. When people smoke pot, they may experience many things, such as feeling high, mellow, or relaxed. But there are other feelings that you may have too. Some people experience paranoia, high anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, and hallucinations while marijuana is in their bodies.
Drugs work by changing the way
the brain normally works. Drugs cause a release of a chemical called dopamine that the brain interprets as being pleasurable. The drugs also interact with several other neurochemicals (like serotonin and adrenaline) that alter many different parts of the brain.
Once drugs wear off, they can leave a permanent mark on your body and brain. Drugs today are much more potent than they were 30 years ago, and scientific research has shown that they can cause long-lasting or even permanent brain damage. This is true for all drugs of abuse, including
alcohol and marijuana. People who use drugs for a long time can experience problems with memory, learning abilities, and can have problems with impulse control, even if they are not currently using drugs.
Read more about the risks of drug use.