Alcohol and Marijuana

1
Alcohol and Marijuanas effects upon the
endocrine system

• By Me and Him

2
Marijuanas Effect on the Endocrine System
3
Glands Affected By Marijuana

• Marijuana damages the network of glands, organs,
  and hormones involved in growth and development,
  energy levels, and reproduction. The glands
  affected include
• Pituitary gland
• Thyroid gland
• Stomach duodenum
• Pancreas
• Adrenal glands
• Testis

4

• Marijuana has an effect on the body because THC,
  the active ingredient, is very chemically similar
  to to the endocannabinoids which are naturally
  occurring chemicals in the body. The THC binds to
  the receptors of the endocannabinoids, and
  activates the neurons, causing the different
  sensations experienced during a high.

5

• Marijuana produces body hormones, the internal
  chemicals that control how and when we develop.
  Here's what it does there
• Triggers a short-term drop in the hormones that
  direct growth and development.
• Lowers sperm production in males, resulting in
  fewer normal sperm cells.
• Tinkers with the balance of hormones that control
  the menstrual cycles of girls and women.

6

• Marijuana and THC can have direct effects on the
  testes. Reductions in testicular size have been
  observed in rodents and dogs
• Prolonged use of marijuana is known to cause
  gynecomastia.

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Alcohol effects upon the endocrine system
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The endocrine system

• This system controls the body's hormones and
  includes the pineal, pituitary, thyroid, and
  adrenal glands, and the ovaries or testes
• The major effect alcohol has on these is it
  sedtaes the glands

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Sexual glands

• Alcohol effects the sex glands such as the
  ovaries, testes, and pituitary glands
• It can sterilize the testes and ovaries
• It effects the pituitary glands by decreasing the
  size and usefulness of the penis, and blocks
  orgasm responders in women

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Which is worse?

• Marijuana is worse because it leads to more
  permanent damage than that of alcohol, which only
  leads to temporary sedation of glands

11
Sites

• http//serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1786
• http//www.wounded-healer-support.com/The-Harmful-
  Effects-Of-Marijuana.html
• http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12412841
• http//www.drugscience.org/Petition/C3H.html
• http//www.doitnow.org/pages/126.html
• http//archives.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/44.pd
  f
• http//www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Doc
  uments/ETOHBIOFx.htm