Is devouring candy more unhealthy that smoking joints? According to a new survey from NBC News/Wall Street Journal, Americans believe that marijuana is safer than sugar reports Huffington Post. Can they be right?
The negative effects of consuming sugar in high quantities are serious. Recent studies have shown that scarfing down too much can lead to tooth decay, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. In fact sugary sodas are considered so dangerous, doctors say that soda intake should be limited to no more than one a day.
But what’s the scoop on marijuana? Did you know that there hasn’t been a documented death as a result of marijuana overdose in at least 10,000 years of consumption? And there’s plenty of data that demonstrates the medical potential of pot.
Still marijuana comes with its own health risks. Too much puffing can lead to health problems such as respiratory discomfort and early onset of psychosis.
Inhalation of this drug also leads to oral risks according to Livestrong.com:
-Long-term use makes teeth more susceptible to rotting and decay. The drug also interferes with the transfer of calcium through the body, a vital ingredient for healthy teeth.
-Marijuana increases the risk of mouth cancer. The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse reports that marijuana has been found to have a higher concentration of cancer producing ingredients than cigarettes.
– Pot smokers typically hold the smoke in the lungs and mouth for longer periods than cigarettes, increasing the effects on the mucus lining in the mouth and exposure to the cancer causing agents.
-The tar in marijuana has developed tumors on the skin of animals in laboratory tests.
