Besides adversely affecting the brain, Cannabis sativa increases blood pressure, heart rate and raises the risk of heart diseases. It also hampers the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. In addition to THC, it contains carcinogens including hydrocarbons. In some studies, an unregulated growth of the epithelial cells in the tissues of the lungs has been observed in the smokers of Cannabis sativa. Therefore, it is suspected that Cannabis sativa may cause lung cancer, though sufficient evidence is not available to support this association. But, it can cause considerable damage to the liver and respiratory ailments such as cough, lung infections, blockage of the air passages, bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
Cannabis sativa directly affects the central nervous system and is a harmful psychoactive substance. Though, the association between mental illness and Cannabis sativa consumption has not been proved, it is an undeniable fact that it has an adverse impact on the mental health of an individual. Therefore, besides enforcing strict regulations, creating a general awareness about its disastrous effects is also required to tackle the menace of Cannabis sativa abuse.
