How does throwing exceptions in Python affect the program's execution speed?

Throwing exceptions in Python is a relatively costly operation in terms of performance. When an exception occurs, the interpreter must:

• Create an exception object
• Form a call stack
• Find the appropriate exception handler

All these actions require additional resources and time. Therefore, frequent use of exceptions for controlling program flow can significantly slow down execution. Exceptions are better used for handling truly exceptional situations rather than for regular logic.