9/06/2007

Marijuana vs. Aspirin

Most people use products that are more damaging to the body with out any thought to what they are doing to the body just because they were raised to think it is safe. Although heavy use of marijuana is not safe it is a lot safer than most of the common used drugs in today's market. This is article one and I am going to compare the effects of two popular pain killers, Marijuana and Aspirin.

Lets start with the history of Marijuana first. Marijuana can be traced back for thousands of years to almost every culture in the worlds history. Up until the Marijuana was prohibited by the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 the US Pharmacopoeia listed cannabis as the drug of choice for over 100 different diseases. This reference was the reference used by doctors since 1820. Cannabis was added to the US Pharmacopoeia in 1870. Since recorded history Marijuana has never been found to cause death by overdose.

The History of Aspirin is not so long and distinguished. Aspirin patented on March 6, 1889 by Bayer who also had the trademark for Heroin. Aspirin causes an average of 500 deaths per year. This is from a Medication that is used for pain and heart disease.

Now that we understand the history of the two pain medications lets look at the legality of both। While Marijuana does have side effects and is know to assist in over 100 diseases without causing any deaths it has been prohibited by the US Federal Government since 1937. Marijuana side effects include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch); difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks. THESE SIDE EFFECTS DO NOT LAST AFTER THE MARIJUANA WEARS OFF. There have been research results that indicate that Marijuana can cause respiratory irritations among heavy marijuana users if smoked. This can be easily solved by switching to vaporized marijuana or taking marijuana orally. Marijuana has not been linked in any research to lung cancer.

While marijuana is prohibited in the US, with minor side effects and multiple benefits to the drug, any age child can go to a store and purchase aspirin over the counter. The effects of aspirin can be very dangerous. Heartburn; nausea; upset stomach; rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; black or bloody stools; confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent stomach pain; unusual bruising; vomiting; Reye syndrome.

In the book, 'The Science of Marijuana' by Dr. Leslie Iversen of the Oxford University Department of Pharmacology said “Tetrahydrocannabinol is a very safe drug,” she said. “Even such apparently innocuous medicines as aspirin and related steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds are not safe.” So if safety is your concern, cannabis is clearly a much better choice than aspirin. By eating it or using it in a vaporizer, Marijuana would be the wonder drug, Safe and effective.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I smoked regularly for 6 months and just had to stop recently for employment reasons. However I was visiting a relative and became suddenly nauseous,flushed, and sick to my stomach followed by diarrhea. We had planned on going out to eat on the last night of my visit, but now felt like I wouldn't be able to eat for at least the remainder of the night. They left and I had remembered my uncle had given me a small amount the morning before remembering I smoked and he said he no longer did but a friend had given it to him. I remember it being a cure for myself for headaches and hangover symptoms. I smoke a very small amount and almost immediately felt much better. I am now sitting as I write this eating an English Muffin with Peanut Butter and having an iced coffee with milk in it. So amazing that I came online to look it up.