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Features
Monday, April 2, 2012
Irish Eyes
Addressing health risks associated with marijuana use How marijuana affects regions of the brain
News Editor
Cerebral CortexAltered consciousness, perceptual distortions; memory impairment; occasional delusions and hallucinations HypothalamusIncreased appetite
Amygdala- Anxiety and panic in some cases; reduced anxiety and clocking of traumatic memories in other cases; reduced hostility
HippocampusMemory impairment
marijuana. According to a statement approved in 1988 by the US Department of Justice, “There are simply no credible medical reports to suggest Many students at Grace King will concede that consuming marijuana has ever caused a that they are acquaintances with or at least know single death.â€? A smoker would theoretically have of another student who has experimented with to consume nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana marijuana. It is taught from a young age that ZLWKLQ DERXW Âż IWHHQ PLQXWHV WR LQGXFH D OHWKDO marijuana is dangerous and addictive, but many response. Research on the correlation between marijuana proponents of the plant try to prove their arguments WR WKH FRQWUDU\ ,W LV GLIÂż FXOW WR XQGHUVWDQG ZKLFK smoking and risk of lung cancer show varying conclusions. Data from various studies claim the points made on either side are valid. Marijuana is used primarily for the risk of lung cancer from marijuana use is worse euphoric feeling high that is produced when than tobacco use, while some studies claim there tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enters the brain is no increase in risk at all. “It shouldn’t be legalized to smoke unless through the bloodstream when the smoke is inhaled, though in some cases marijuana is used you have medical reasons,â€? senior Sydney for medicinal purposes. THC works by binding Hamby said. “But it should be legalized for other to neurons, cells that process information in the purposes, like hemp paper, clothing and fuel.â€? Medical marijuana laws are in effect in at brain, called cannabinoid receptors. By binding to these cells and mimicking the function of a least 16 states and is used to treat a number of neurotransmitters, THC can interfere with the diseases and disorders including glaucoma, cells normal function. Cannabinoid receptors are Alzheimer’s disease, brain and breast cancers, located in high concentrations in the cerebellum, and HIV/AIDS. “It isn’t that big a deal, and I think it shouldn’t hypocampus, and basal ganglia which control coordination, short term memory, and unconscious be so criminalized, it’s safer than cigarettes and alcohol, and these products are legal,â€? said muscle movement respectively. Although purported to be a health risk, Hamby. “If it is used as a recreational source, it unlike many other drugs including alcohol, it should be treated like you would treat alcohol, is impossible in practical terms to overdose on with age limitations and warning labels.â€? By William Weisler
Brain Stem- Nausea relief; rapid heart rate; reduced blood pressure; drowsiness; pain reduction; reduced spasticity; reduced tremor
Illustration by Anna Whitaker
CerebellumReduced spasticity; impaired coordination
Students encouraged to consider safety when traveling during break and even have a special call center for the tourists. Staff Writer Mexico is not the only country plagued with a negative reputation. Known for having over 250,000 Natalee Ann Holloway, an American travelers every year for Spring Break, student who was from Mountain Brook, Mexico is definitely a hot spot for Alabama, vanished completely on May teenagers looking for fun. Despite the 30, 2005, on a senior graduation trip to warnings and feedback from concerned Aruba with her fellow classmates. Her parents and officials, students still body was never discovered. Due to a choose to travel to Mexico. lack of evidence uncovered by Aruban Cancun, Mexico is a popular tourist investigators, Holloway’s frustrated area. It was an historic area where the parents initiated a boycott on Aruban ancient Mayans built their temples. But it travel. After seven years of investigation is also known as an area that is infamous Holloway was declared legally dead on for their young drinking age of 18 and Jan 12, 2012. availability of illegal substances. The Having its up’s and down’s, Mexico surrounding areas of the city are also is still an area of uncertainty concerning threatened by these ordeals, as well as safety. Those who have visited Mexico drug cartels and gang violence. The on past spring breaks claim they truly problem has escalated so much that there enjoyed their time spent there though. was a need for security cameras to be “I would like to relive my experience in placed around the city to keep an eye Mexico. I don’t regret getting my tattoo, RQ GUXJ WUDIÂż FNLQJ LQFUHDVHG VHFXULW\ but it isn’t something I’d recommend,â€? By Marley Olavarrieta
Erika Weberg said, a massage therapist who had visited Mexico in the past. Weberg stated that nothing had gone wrong when she was there. The only bad thing was that her mother was infuriated about the tattoo she had gotten. The ones who are generally the victims of these dangers are high school graduates and college students. When these students participate in this event, many of them are oblivious to the threats they could possibly face. Even straying away for just a few minutes, can cause them to become lost. Even if the number of help centers for tourists increase, it doesn’t mean it will erase the visitor’s doubts and disbeliefs of the possible threats of the area. Warnings alone are not enough to stop determined students to party on their deserved vacations. The only thing to be wary when visiting this major vacation spot is to avoid areas that are unusually empty.
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Illustration by Marley Olavarrieta