MICHAEL SMITH: As the debate
over the federal law
against marijuana goes on,
more than 4 in 10 Americans
say they've tried the drug
at some point.
But using recreational pot
can affect your mind
in risky ways.
When you're high on marijuana,
it can mess
with your short-term memory,
attention, and reaction time.
It can also distort your senses
and make you feel
anxious or paranoid.
And after the high wears off,
you might have trouble learning
or sleeping for a little while,
too.
So how does pot affect
your brain if you use it
for a long time?
Well, that's not clear.
There's simply not much research
yet.
Long-term use may raise
some people's risk for drinking
problems, nicotine addiction,
and more.
And if you have
a mental illness, marijuana can
make it worse.
Overall, pot-related problems
tend to be more serious if you
start using the drug heavily
in your teens.
Research suggests that smoking
it daily may even affect
your intellectual level.
Some good news -- most people
who use marijuana don't go
on to take harder drugs.
For WebMD, I'm Dr. Michael
Smith.
