ABSTRACT
There is a big distinction between onset of sleep and quality of sleep. When a student reports that the onset of sleep is more rapid after marijuana use, the key becomes exploring their typical frequency of use. This is potentially the most important finding related to marijuana use on college campuses. Driving the possible impact on cognitive abilities is likely neuronal suppression in the hippocampus of the brain, which, among other things, controls attention, concentration, and motivation. Research suggests that exercise performance decreases after marijuana use, paradoxically increases heart rate even at rest, and increases blood pressure; collectively, this has led Pesta, Angadi, Burtscher, and Roberts to declare marijuana an ergolytic agent, meaning it impairs exercise/athletic performance. The key, of course, is asking the student what they think would lessen some of the "not-so-good" effects of marijuana use. The rapidly changing climate surrounding marijuana use has certainly provided some challenges on college campuses.
