Aside from the obvious “buzz” or intoxication provided by these substances (and the related conditions such as slurred speech, impaired judgment, decreased reflexes and lowered inhibitions) the known HEALTH effects are as follows:
Cigarettes:
- Chronic bad breath
- Yellowing of teeth
- Yellowing of fingers
- Early wrinkling around mouth and eyes
- Dulling of complexion
- Dulling of tastebuds
- Bad smelling hair, clothes and body
- Lowered immune system; greater vulnerability to common ailments like colds, flus and other viruses
- Increased risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma and other eye diseases
- Increased risk for hearing loss (possibly relating to blood flow problems)
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer
- 50%+ greater increase in lung cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer and mouth cancer
- Double the risk of contracting a deadly form of adult leukemia in later life
- Double the risk of contracting adult onset diabetes (in part related to the higher rate of obesity among smokers)
- In women, a greater risk of developing cervical and breast cancer
- 70%+ greater risk of developing emphysema, bronchitis and/or environmental asthma
- Increased risk of complications during pregnancy and with conception in women
- Decreased sperm count, greater number of deviated sperm and higher risk of impotence in men
- Increased risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy
- Significantly decreased cardiovascular fitness
- Decrease in volume of oxygen in blood (making the heart work harder)
- Increase risk of obesity later in life
- Decreased quality of life as one gets older
- Increased likelihood of need for oxygen tank and/or wheelchair
- Increase risk of early death – half of all smokers die from smoking related causes that would not have otherwise killed them
- Addiction
- Bad breath
- Rotting teeth and cavities
- Dulling of complexion
- Memory loss and increased risk for blackouts
- High levels of alcohol in blood can decrease nutrient distribution and in very high proportions can result in death
- Binge drinking can result in respiratory strain, failure and even related death
- Lowered immune system; greater vulnerability to common ailments like colds, flus and other viruses
- Increased risk for violent or self destructive behavior including suicide
- Increased risk of long-term central nervous system damage
- With heavy use; impotence and loss of libido
- With heavy use; increased risk for esophagitis and pancreatisis
- Increased risk for hepatitis
- Increased risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy
- With long-term use; increased risk of liver disease, heart disease, peptic ulcers, certain types of cancer, complicated pregnancies, birth defects, and brain damage
- Overdose and overdose related death
- Addiction
- Most of the same effects as listed for cigaretters, specifically those relating to physical appearance, immune system, respiratoty illness, cancer and birth defects -- marijuana contains many of the same toxins as cigarettes, a higher tar concentration (normally 4-5 times higher) making it likely to result in very similar ailments as cigarette smoking
- Weight gain (likely related to “the munchies”)
- Lowered immune system; greater vulnerability to common ailments like colds, flus and other viruses and serious illnesses like cancers, communicable diseases, pneumonias, and super-bugs
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer
- Increased risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy
- Increased risk for mental disorders like acute toxic psychosis, panic attacks, flashbacks, delusions, depersonalization, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, and uncontrollable aggressiveness
- In predisposed individuals, can trigger bipolar and schizophrenic episodes