Final answer:
Consuming cannabis through edibles can lead to altered senses, mood changes, and cognitive impairments. Long-term use, especially starting in adolescence, may result in problems with brain development. Cannabis also holds medical value, with some compounds used in FDA-approved medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Eating Cannabis:
When a person consumes cannabis through edibles, such as a brownie or cookie, the plant's chemicals, particularly THC, enter the bloodstream after being digested in the stomach and metabolized by the liver. This can result in various experiences including: altered senses an altered sense of time, changes in mood, difficulty with body movement, and impairments in thinking, problem-solving and memory. Additionally individuals may feel an increased appetite. In the long term, especially for those who start using cannabis during adolescence, there could be problems with brain development, leading to cognitive difficulties.
Regular smoking of cannabis can cause coughing and breathing problems, and there is also a potential risk for problems with child development during and after pregnancy for users who are pregnant. Marijuana has both its identified risks as well as medical applications, with cannabinoids like THC and CBD being of particular scientific interest. Some cannabinoid-containing drugs have been FDA-approved to treat medical conditions such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and childhood epilepsy.