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Many parents fear becoming grandparents, because it is a sign that there is a new generation

coming, and it often makes them feel old. But don't worry; this is simply an irrational fear.
Grandparents are very important people, and they do not necessarily need to act old but they are
very wise. Just because you are ass little older doesn't mean that you have to stay confined to a
rocking chair. Many people over the age of 70 are still working nowadays, proving that age does
not inhibit them.

Grandparents have lived through three stages in their lives, childhood, adulthood, and
grandparenthood. Through every stage, we learn new things and gain wisdom and knowledge.
As we learn more, we know ourselves more and the world as we know it. This wisdom needs to
be passed on to future generation, and this is why grandparents are so important.

Grandparents are important in the formation of their grandchildren's character and perspective on
life. It is important to help your children take care of your grandchildren, since you have been
through it with them, and they need your help. Grandparents need to raise their grandchildren to
be respectful and to appreciate life.

Unfortunately, many grandparents have been separated from their children and grandchildren
because of family feuds and the like. This doesn't allow children to be with their grandparents
and learn from them. It is your responsibility to stay close to your family and visit them, write to
them, or call them.

As the oldest member of the family, you have to pass on the legacy of the generations from
before. You need to be the historian of the family, as well as the mentors and role models.
Grandparents need to teach their grandchildren what it means to be in the family. By knowing
what their family has done, children can feel proud of their past and be ready for the future.

Being experienced from watching life come and go is something that only the grandparents can
have. You know what is right and what is wrong, when needs to be done, what is important and
what is not. You have been through many different problems, pain, and heartaches that everyone
goes through in life and you know how to deal with them. This knowledge is important for
people to live their lives well, and you need to help them understand these things.

Children often turn to their grandparents for advice, since they are wise and knowledgeable in
life. Since you are the most experienced in the family, it is your job to keep the family together
and face the different problems that come your way. Make sure that your grandchildren know the
tradition, cultures, and beliefs of their family.

No matter what the age of your body, that does not dictate the age of the mind. Young at heart
and young at mind make a person look young on the outside too. We must always keep the
curiosity and openness of a child while balancing it with the knowledge and rationality of the
old. The spirit is always young, and you must never forget that.

After reading this and knowing how important grandparents are, hopefully you won't feel so
nervous about becoming one yourself. It is a great honor to be a grandparent, and after all you've
been through, you can make it through and be a great blessing to your family.
Marijuana
It is one of the most commonly abused drugs. It can be in the form of dry, green or brown colored
flowers leaves in shreds, seeds, stems of Cannabis Sativa, a hemp plant. It can be smoked in a water pipe
known as ‘Bong’, in cigars known as ‘Blunts’. Some users empty the cigarettes and refill them with loose
marijuana known as ‘Joint’. Sometimes it is mixed in food or brewed as tea. Numerous types of hemp
plants are grown around the globe like northern lights, blue berry, white widow, Shiva Shanti. They have
myriad slang terms as herb, grass, ganja, hash, etc. All forms of Cannabis contain delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol which is also known as THC. Although it constitutes of more than 400 chemicals,
THC accounts for major psychoactive, mind suppressing effects.

Initial Effects
The strength of the drug is measured by the percentage of THC it contains. While ordinary dose of
marijuana contains 3% of THC, it varies greatly depending upon the consumer. The initial effects created
by inhaling its smoke include rapid heartbeat, loss of balance and coordination, and dry mouth.
Although, these initial effects diminish after some time (approximately two hours), THC stays back in the
body for quite duration. Concentration and potency are the two factors that decide the Terminal Half
Life of THC which varies from 20 hours to 10 days. Longer the terminal Half Life, longer it will show the
presence in the body.

Medicinal Use
Although Marijuana is famous for its adverse effects, medicinal uses of it have often became bone of
contention in the past. Marijuana is found to be good suppressant of nausea. It stimulates the appetite.
The phenomenon is often known as ‘munchies’. Molecules of endocannabinoids get bind with receptors
of hypothalamus in brain which maintains the food intake of body and by stimulating these receptors, it
activates hunger. It also releases eye pressure; decrease the trauma of muscle spasms. At present, nine
states of America have legalized its use due to its medicinal properties.

Effects on Brain
Once inhaled, THC rapidly passes from the lungs to bloodstream through which it gets dispersed
throughout the body. When it reaches brain, it gets attached to receptors named cannaboid on nerve
endings and stimulates the activity of these cells. Areas of brain like hypothalamus, cerebellum that
controls the activities like memory, coordinated body movements, pleasure, concentration, thoughts.
The initial short term effects that found after inhaling Marijuana are distorted perception, loss of
memory, lack of reasoning. Besides short term effects, there are long terms effects as with any prolong
drug abuse. If the subject is chronically exposed to THC, then its withdrawal stimulates stress response
system. It disrupts the function of dopamine present in the nerve cells which is responsible for
regulation of motivation.

Effects on Lungs
Rare abusers experience burning sensation in mouth combined with nasal congestion and cough.
Someone who is a regular abuser can have many respiratory problems. The effects are characterized by
increased cough, frequent acute chest pain, lung infections. Inhaling Marijuana increases the risk of
carcinogenic effects. TCH produces 60% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than those of tobacco. It also
activates and initiates enzyme changes which lead to production of malignant cells that are highly
responsible for cancer. In simple words, it is much more harmful with Marijuana than with tobacco.

Effects on Heart
As intake of Marijuana decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, there is an adverse effect on
heart rate and blood pressure. Studies have shown that the abusers carry much greater risk of heart
attack.

Other Effects
In human body, an immune system is present to fight against antibodies, diseases. Marijuana is known
to impair this system thus increases the risk to other infections and diseases. In social behavior,
problems like anxiety, depression are attached with chronic smoking of this drug. Generally, the abuser
loses his ability to grasp, learn the things. The chronic users have serious shifting in their concentration,
ability to organize.

If marijuana is inhaled regularly during pregnancy, then babies born have altered neurological
responses. Research has revealed that such children exhibit lapses in memory, problem solving skill
characterized with less attention. There are also adverse effects on reproductive systems of male and
female. In males it carries risk of lessening the sperm count and even degenerate them. Female counter
parts can experience in suppression of ovulation process, disruption of menstruation cycles and even
damage to egg. It can cause abnormalities like fatal alcohol symptoms.

Long term abuser can lead to addiction. People trying to quit this habit usually experience sleeplessness,
irritability, increased aggression and feelings. The adverse effects are so many and easily outnumber its
few medicinal uses!

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