Marijuana is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves and flowers of Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant, it contains 60 active ingredients known as cannabinoids. The body naturally makes its own form of cannabinoids to regulate pain, The main mind altering, chemical in marijuana responsible for most of the psychoactive effects is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When using marijuana THC and other chemicals in the plant pass from the lungs into the bloodstream, which then rapidly carries them throughout the body and to the brain. Using marijuana can relax a person and heighten their mood and can be followed by drowsiness and sedation. Other effects include heightened senses, euphoria, altered perceptions and hunger. The DEA has marijuana …show more content…
on the Schedule 1 list, along with others such as Heroin, LSD, and Ecstasy, meaning it has a high potential for abuse, and is not acceptable for medical treatment anywhere in the US. But unlike other Schedule 1 drugs Marijuana is legal in 23 states, but it’s only legal in 21 of those states if you use it medicinally. Marijuana is currently being used for medicine in almost half of US states but the FDA has not yet approved it as a plant of medicine. Doctors and Scientist are now seeing the benefits of marijuana but it is still very controversial due to the fact that the National Institute on Drug Abuse has seen Marijuana’s benefits but say it’s not enough to give Food and Drug Administration's Approval. Marijuana is most commonly used prescribed for, but not limited to, autoimmune diseases, such as HIV AIDS, and inflammation, pain, seizures, substance use disorders, mental disorders, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
But Doctors and Scientist are amazed by it’s benefits and 76% of doctors approve marijuana for medicinal purposes. “In a placebo controlled in a 2007 study in the journal Neurology, Abrams and his colleagues found that marijuana is effective at reducing neuropathic pain, or pain caused by damaged nerves, in HIV patients. Opiates, such as morphine, which is generally given for increased pain, aren’t effective for treating that sort of pain.” Also Researchers at the American Academy of Neurology have also found that medical marijuana in pills or sprays reduce stiffness of muscles and muscle spasms in MS. As well of relieving certain pain related spasms, burning, numbness, as well as an overactive bladder. Marijuana also relieves the pressure in eyes, slowing down the progression of Glaucoma and preventing blindness. One family used medical marijuana to treat their 5 year old daughter with Dravets Syndrome and the results were dramatic, their daughter, Charlotte, went from 300 seizures a week to once a week. This treatment works due to the cannabidiol in the plant interacting with the brain cells to hinder the activity in the brain that causes seizures.
The use of Medical Marijuana could impact my life because Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something I live with, research suggests that marijuana helps with relieving symptoms of PTSD and increases the quality of life says, Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D.
Along with depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping and I do not want to live my life popped up on pills to help with it, which is rare because finding the right medication for your body can take up to years of trial and error, the process is strenuous and in some cases hopeless and not everyone has the option to go to the doctor frequently and receive the medical attention they need. If given the option arose to receive medical marijuana I would be for it. Effexor XR is one of the most common prescription given to someone with PTSD but the side effects, Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, unusual sweating, or yawning, are frightening and aren’t as severe as the short time side effects of Marijuana. Marijuana should be legal in all states to be used medically, it may be frowned upon by some, and may not work for everyone, but to deny someone with health problems the opportunity to use a drug they are willing to try due to the possibility it could help them because of its negative connotation and what some have associated it with is just wrong, especially when the benefits are evident.
This article listed the 10 most common conditions that medical marijuana has been proven to help. The list included Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, arthritis, depression, anxiety, hepatitis C, morning sickness, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chemotherapy. Each condition provides research or some type of support to verify the benefits.
The Physiological Effects of Marijuana Marijuana derives from the dried leaves and flower of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa; for thousands of years, physicians regarded marijuana as a useful pharmaceutical agent that could be used to treat a number of different disorders. In the 19th century, physicians in the United States and Europe used marijuana as an analgesic, as a treatment for migraine headaches, and as an anticonvulsant (Grinspoon & Bakalar, 1993, 1995). In 1938, a physician used marijuana (hashish) to completely control the terror and excitement of a patient who had contracted rabies (Elliot, 1992, p. 600).
Marijuana has had a negative appearance towards the public and government, but that all seems to be changing. Medical marijuana has started to have a huge impact on the United States and the world. It is a borderline substance that some people frown upon, but it has boosted the economy and has helped thousands of people across the United States overcome illnesses. But most people relate medical marijuana to recreational marijuana, which is still illegal in some states. Although many individuals find medical marijuana illegal, and unnecessary, it is a natural herb used to help symptoms caused by chronic illnesses. Over three million Americans use medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is the most widely used drug used to treat chronic illnesses. The use of medical marijuana has been a controversial issue here in America. Although, there are healthcare professionals that do believe that the use of medical marijuana can be very beneficial for certain patients. Just as there are benefits associated with the use of medical marijuana there are also negative effects associated with it.
...o treat many conditions; an ancient Chinese emperor prescribed it to cure conditions such as gout and malaria, soon its healing properties were heard around the world and the use of cannabis as a medicine spread like wild fire to many other regions (Earleywine, p. 168). In fact marijuana was legal in the United States till 1942 when against the medical communities recommendation it was removed from the list of acceptable medications. Today there are numerous studies being conducted on the effects of medical marijuana and scientists have proven its effects on treating many symptoms. According to Dale H. Gieringer in his book Medical Marijuana Handbook he states, Marijuana is proven to be effective as an anti-nauseant and an appetite stimulant for people going through chemotherapy and as an analgesic for patients suffering from chronic pain (Gieringer, p. 39).
So far, twenty-three states have legalized cannabis for medical uses. Originally, medical marijuana was use for lesser ailment like pain or insomnia due to the lack or research. Then as people started to do more research they realized marijuana could actually help patient with more serious conditions like glaucoma, or to help those who suffer form seizures, or even to fight cancer. Marijuana helps people with cancer a great deal. For starters, the chemicals in marijuana make patients hungry and help to keep patients strong. Second, research has shown promising evidence that the chemicals in cannabis fight the spreading of cancer cells and even help to kill cancer cells. Medical marijuana also helps to prevent users from obtaining other serious afflictions. Currently, researchers are studying the way the chemicals in marijuana effect amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques, are the number one cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and researchers now believe marijuana use can help fight and help prevent this horrible disease. All of these studies could help to one day make incredible break throughs in modern medicine, and possibly find cures for Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Medicinal marijuana is just one reason for the legalization of
The Effects of Marijuana Marijuana is a mood altering or psychoactive drug that has many nicknames, such as pot, weed, ganja, sensi, herb, and. others. The. It is an ancient drug that dates back to hundreds of years to the Asia. Many cultures have used it during meditation, religious.
The active ingredient in marijuana is delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The structure of THC is very similar to the endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids for short, which are naturally occurring chemicals in the body (1).The THC binds to the receptors of the endocannabinoids, and activates the neurons, causing the different sensations experienced during a high. These receptors are spread throughout the brain. THC affects the central nervous system, as well as the peripheral tissue systems. THC can reduce pain, lower body temperature, and enhance appetite. It can also be used for anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and anti-convulsant, which is why THC is used for medicinal purposes. THC is used as a popular treatment for glaucoma by reducing ocular pressure, and for neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, and spinal cord injury (4).
Marijuana also known as weed is a preparation of leafy material from the Cannabis plant that is smoked. There are different types of Cannabis from the sativa to the indica. A high grade of Marijuana is called sinsemilla. The main psychoactive agent is the delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol also known as THC. When the cannabinoid particles are smoked, THC is absorbed very fast into the blood and distrusted first to the brain and then emptied into the rest of the body. Within thirty minutes of absorption much has left the brain. Within five to ten minutes the peak mood- altering and cardiovascular effects will occur together.
Marijuana is a drug that is derived from the dried and cut leaves of the hemp plant known as "cannabis sativa". Marijuana has a variety of street names such as "grass", "Mary Jane", "pot", "smoke", "reefer", "herb", and "weed". The active ingredient in marijuana is delta tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (3). . Marijuana has been used throughout history and in many different cultures to change mood, perception, and consciousness (to get "high"). Its effects range from increasing creativity to provoking mystical experiences, to heightening the capacity to feel, sense and share. After alcohol, it is the most popular of what are called "recreational drugs." It has been used around the world for other purposes. In some primitive tribes of South America, Africa, and India, "cannabis" is used in religious ceremonies and for medical purposes. African mine workers have used it to ease the drudgery of their work and many Jamaicans use it at the end of the day to relieve fatigue. It has been used as an intoxicant in various parts of the world for centuries and in the United States, for the most part the 20th century. Marijuana was first described in print in a Chinese book of
Medically, marijuana has proven to be a productive drug. Studies show marijuana has helped dealing with “pain, muscle spasms, seizure disorders and nausea from cancer chemotherapy.” (Weir) Scientist believes these benefits come from a chemical compound in marijuana called cannabidiol. This chemical is not the active chemical that gives marijuana users the mind-altering effects. With the unce...
Defined by TheFreeDictionary.com Marijuana is a preparation made from the dried flower clusters and leaves of the hemp plant (Cannabis Saliva), usually smoked or eaten to induce Euphoria (a feeling of happiness, confidence or well-being). This greenish-gray substance alters the mind due to the active ingredient it contains called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The strength of this plant increases greatly depending on the weather, time of harvest and several other components. Marijuana can be vaporized, drank as a tea, consumed orally or baked into foods and give the same but slowed affect.
For thousands of years human beings have attempted to find ways to get passed the struggles of their lives. With the pain of the world stopping people from enjoying simple pleasures, sometimes there is a need for help. Marijuana brings millions of people relief from the pain they feel on a day-to-day basis. This completely natural plant which helped so many people has puzzled the leaders of our nation for a long time. The THC in marijuana causes its users to experience a mild-huluciginic or high. The effect that marijuana has on a person has prevented the product from being legalized. Many other details about the plant, like the speculation of it being a gateway drug, have put another blockage on its legalization. Even though there are speculations about the plant, the benefit that it brings to the table most definitely out way its disadvantages. Marijuana can also alleviate several symptoms associated with cancer and Aids treatments and disorders. While Marijuana is effective as a medicine, it is also extremely lucrative. The economic benefits that Marijuana brings to the table are endless. Upon marijuana’s legalization, the economy would experience an immediate influx. Legalization of Marijuana would also drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more productive society through its positive uses. The benefits that marijuana brings medically and economically are considerable enough to legalize its use medically or recreational.
Medical marijuana has been used for centuries to combat pain, weakness, anxiety, insomnia, female problems and nausea. Today it is commonly used by cancer and AIDS patients to stimulate hunger, combat nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy or other drug therapy and reduce pain. It has also been shown to be effective in reducing eye pressure, especially in the cases with glaucoma. Medical marijuana, or cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant and there is some evidence of cannabis being used medicinally for over four thousand years. Many believe that medical marijuana is a healthy and natural alternative to dangerous and toxic pharmaceuticals that often have side effects worse than the original condition. The United Sates declared marijuana a narcotic and declared it illegal with the passing of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.
Marijuana is the dried leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. (“What is Marijuana?”). Marijuana can be consumed in many ways including smoking, vaporizing, eating, and drinking in tea and soda. (“Ways to Consume Medical Marijuana”).There are known negative and positive effects of the substance. Some positives are relaxation for those with medical problems relaxing. Other positive effects include killing cancer cells, helps with tourette’s, seizures, migraines, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, alzheimer’s, and many more diseases and illnesses.
Marijuana consists of two major chemicals. The two chemicals are CBD (cannabidiol), and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD is described as “relaxation without intoxication” (business insider), while THC controls brain cells that help you relax, which prevents many medical diseases. Marijuana helps release healthy chemicals in your brain, which includes dopamine and anandamide. These chemicals are the “feel good” chemicals which relieves people’s stresses and worries.