13 clues to know if your child smokes marijuana

The use of this drug is very common among adolescents, and it is useful to know the signs.

The recreational use of cannabis has expanded over the years, especially among young people. Socially considered a soft drug with few side effects, it is often consumed by adolescents as young as 12 or 13 years of age.

We are dealing with a growing population, and its consumption poses a greater danger than usual as it can affect the development process. That is why many parents are worried about their children smoking or consuming this and other substances. Throughout this article we present a total of 13 keys to know if your child is smoking or consuming this and other substances. clues to know if your son or daughter smokes marijuana..

Cannabis and marijuana: what are they?

Cannabis is a psychodysleptic, a psychoactive substance that produces a change in the level of activation and functioning of the brain. This substance comes from the cannabis plant, which has different varieties different varieties, such as indica, sativa or ruderalis, are used..

When the element to be consumed are the leaves and stem of the plant only in pieces, we are talking about marijuana.

The effects of this substance are initially euphoric and then leave a state of relaxation and analgesia, with a certain sedative effect. Another of its effects is that it facilitates hunger while controlling vomiting. It is also effective as an anticonvulsant.

Due to these effects, marijuana can be applied therapeutically in multiple disorders. It is also used recreationally to relax and reduce tension and anxiety.. However, its consumption can have, especially if it is continued over time and with great frequency, harmful effects. It can cause alterations of consciousness, loss of concentration and memory and decreased performance, as well as depressive symptoms, and even the so-called amotivational syndrome. It can also cause perceptual disturbances such as hallucinations and even psychotic breaks.

Young people and adolescents, who are not yet fully developedIn addition to the effects of the substance itself (which are already greater due to their greater susceptibility to neurotransmitters such as dopamine), they may see their development process altered.

Signs of marijuana use

Below you can see a series of signs that can be used as an indication that someone is serve as an indication that someone is using marijuana. It is important to keep in mind that we are only talking about signs, not being aspects that necessarily imply that the person is consuming this substance. Some of them appear while the effects of consumption last, while others appear later or after prolonged consumption.

1. Lost look

Cannabis is a substance with psychoactive effects. Although they may initially generate a certain feeling of euphoria, they usually end up producing a state of relaxation and tranquility. For this reason it is not uncommon that those who consume it tend to become self-absorbed, keeping a lost look.

2. Reddening of the eyes

Conjunctivitis, reddening of the eyes and a brighter and more and a brighter and more moist look than usual are also possible signs of are also possible indications of the consumption of marijuana or other substances. A certain mydriasis or pupil dilation is also frequent.

3. Disinhibition

Marijuana is often consumed because of the effects of initial euphoria and subsequent relaxation to which it induces. In general, it also tends to cause some disinhibition, restricting behavior to a lesser extent than usual and allowing greater manifestation and expression at the behavioral and social level.

4. Excessive appetite

One of the effects of cannabis is the increase in appetite and the sensation of hunger, which is why it has even been used medicinally in disorders involving weight loss.

In this sense it is possible to observe that the habitual consumer of marijuana are hungrier than usual. It is also frequent that they look for sweet and more caloric foods, not being rare that they present weight increases.

5. Concentration and recent memory problems

Memory and learning are influenced by cannabis consumption. Specifically, it is not uncommon that there are problems of recent memorywith some difficulty in concentrating and remembering events temporally close in time. This effect is usually observed in the long term.

6. Insomnia

Although it may seem paradoxical due to the state of relaxation it provokes, consuming marijuana can generate different sleep problems once its effects are over. The most frequent are difficulties to fall asleep or nighttime awakenings..

7. I use incense and chewing gum more often than usual.

Marijuana has a characteristic odor that is easily detectable both at the moment it is consumed and in the breath of the person who consumes it. Excessive use of strong incense or chewing gum may be an indication that an attempt is being made to camouflage the odor.

8. Expansive mood

Cannabis, especially in the version coming from the cannabis sativa plant, is a psychoactive substance that initially provokes euphoric reactions and then has a relaxing effect.

It is frequent to perceive a certain level of disinhibition, uncontrolled laughter and elevation of the tone of voice while the effects last. while the effects last.

9. Decrease of attention

The mood and the relaxing and even narcotic effect induced by the consumption of marijuana causes a decrease in the level of attention. This does not only occur for the duration of the effects, but also in the long term. also in the long term, attentional capacity can be reduced..

10. Coughing and Respiratory problems

One of the most common forms of consumption is smoking, through cigarettes. As such, it means keeping smoke inside the lungs and throat, which, as with tobacco, can cause irritation and lead to coughing and even respiratory problems.

11. Incoordination at the motor level

It is common for marijuana to cause a certain level of incoordination between mind and body, and the ability to react to stimuli is also reduced..

12. Use of objects such as pipes, grinders, rolling papers or mouthpieces.

The consumption of marijuana does not necessarily imply the use of specific instruments for it, but certain objects and elements can beHowever, certain objects and elements can be used frequently.

Since it is usually consumed in the form of cigarettes, rolling paper and mouthpieces are often necessaryas well as the use of different types of pipes. More specific is the grinder, a two-piece element used to grind marijuana buds without breaking components such as resin, with greater psychoactive power.

13. Paranoia or hallucinations

Although it is not so frequent, the consumption of marijuana can provoke changes in perception. can provoke changes in perception and even generate hallucinations and delusions, and may even awaken psychotic outbreaks.

This occurs especially with marijuana derived from the cannabis sativa plant or with the different hybrids of this plant with other variants.

Does my child smoke joints?

Taking into account all the clues and signs we have mentioned, it will be easier for you to detect if your child smokes joints. In case you come to the conclusion that he/she does have this addiction, keep calm and consult a psychotherapist, keep calm and consult a psychotherapist specialized in adolescents..