Desired effects
Desired effects are the reasons people use it. Someone often feels relaxed and experiences less stress. Music can sound more beautiful and food can taste different. Some people become cheerful and get a fit of the giggles.
Unwanted effects
Unwanted effects are the side effects, and they are what cause the risks. Someone can become very anxious, panic, have paranoid thoughts or feel very sick. Other unwanted effects are tiredness, a dry mouth, a faster heartbeat and dry, red eyes.
Memory and concentration
You remember things less well and find it harder to concentrate while you are under the influence. That is why using at school, while studying or at work is not a good idea. You can still feel it the day after.
Different for everyone
Not everyone feels the same after use. How you feel depends on drug, set and setting: how much and how strong, how you feel and where you are. Anxiety or panic is more likely if you are already anxious, use too much or are inexperienced.
How it goes
When smoking, the first effects come within minutes. The effects are at their most intense in the first 2 hours, after which they slowly wear off. The day after use you may feel more tired and find it harder to concentrate: a kind of hangover.
Sources
You have read this chapter.
Finished reading?
The facts from the Remember boxes come back in lesson 1. Every question you get right first time earns 10 XP.

