Up In SmokeMarijuana exists as early as 2700 BC. There is evidence that the Chinese used the drug to treat rheumatism, malaria, and absent-mindedness, among other things. The Spanish brought marijuana to America in the 1500s, and the English brought it to Jamestown in 1611. After the English purchased the crop, it was considered the main crop. They began primarily growing the crop for the use of hemp rope. The English were uncertain about the hallucinogenic properties of the crop produced when it was first brought to America. Recreational use of marijuana has been on the rise since the early 1900s in America. The botanical name for marijuana is Cannabis. Cannabis is the plant that is used to produce marijuana. Most people use this drug for recreational purposes, however there are some people who use marijuana for medical purposes. What physical effects does marijuana have on the body during drug intoxication? Within minutes after inhaling the first hit of marijuana, an individual's heart rate accelerates, the bronchi begin to relax and widen, and the blood vessels in the eyes begin to widen until the eyes appear red. The heart rate, normally 70 to 80 beats per minute, can increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute or in some cases can even double. The drug can impair short-term memory, balance, coordination and psyche. These are just some of the things that can happen during the intoxication stages of marijuana use. How can marijuana affect your physical body after intoxication? The long-term effects of marijuana on the body can begin with drug addiction. Constant use can cause chronic cough and bronchitis. The risk of anxiety and depression also increases...... middle of paper ......ce of marijuana the first thing to be altered is your short-term memory. Marijuana's damage to short-term memory occurs because THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) alters how information is processed by the hippocampus, an area of ​​the brain responsible for memory formation. Because it is a steroid, THC affects the hippocampus and inhibits memory retrieval. When a person ingests a large amount of marijuana, new information does not register in their brain. There is also a decrease in nerve cell activity. Because of these effects on the brain, you may become complacent in your inebriated state and this may lead to the use of other drugs. If you are someone who believes that marijuana use is acceptable, you need to be aware of the effects it can have on your body. So remember, next time you light up your blunt, remember that this can affect your central nervous system.