Introduction
Cannabis, which is mainly referred to as marijuana, is a widely used psychotropic drug. There are a variety of species of cannabis, including, "Cannabis salvita, C. indica, and C. ruderalis" (Amar, 2006). Cannabis is made up of several different types of compounds known as cannabinoids. The main component in these compounds that is responsible for cannabis' psychoactive qualities is "∆9 - tetrahydrocannabinol", or THC (Amar, 2006). Cannabinoids function by binding to two receptors, CB1 and CB2. These receptors inhibit cAMP formation and calcium channels, as well as initiate the opening of potassium channels (Meyer and Quezner). There are three different types of cannabinoid receptor antagonists that have been discovered, including endocannabinoids, which are a natural part of an organism, phytocannabinoids, which originate in plants, and synthetic or man-made cannabinoids (Fisar, 2009). These antagonists play an important role in regulating the effects of cannabinoids.
The methods of administration and the resulting cognitive and behavioral effects of cannabis are cru...
There are at least two active chemicals in marijuana that have medicinal benefits. One chemical is cannabidiol (CBD), which appears to impact the brain without a high. The second chemical is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has pain relieving and other properties.
There are quite a number of endocannabinoids some examples are endogenous arachidonate-based lipids, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) which are the ligands for the cannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoids are also classified as eicosanoids. There are enzymes that synthesize and degrade the endocannabinoids like monoacylglycerol lipase (Hashimotodani Y, Ohno-Shosaku T, Kano M, 2007: 1211-9). There are cannabinoid receptors known asCB1 and CB2 which are two G protein-coupled receptors are found in the central and peripheral nervous systems which are as well expressed in the brain and immune system (Pertwee RG, 2006 : S13-8).
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While Cannabis use can be very effective in relieving pain and relaxing a person it has many negative effects. Marijuana use is a danger in the way it impairs the way your mind creates memories. When driving your judgment is altered and not many would appreciate if someone under the influence is on the road. Another way is the effects it has on a person’s lungs causing respiratory illnesses. Not only that, but Smoking marijuana is a factor to poor education outcomes from that smoker. Marijuana can be a very unpleasant thing to think about especially when you start to think about what it does to your mind.
The human body produces naturally occurring cannabinoids. The cannabinoids are lipophilic. Delta-8 and Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been found to produce most of the psychoactive effects of marijuana (Carter et al., 2003). Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol appears to be the most abundant cannabinoid and the main source of cannabis' impact. Cannabidiol is
Only about 30 of the chemicals in marijuana have been studied extensively for their psychoactive effects. Of these delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known to be the most psychoactive chemical. This chemical is converted into over 60 other psychoactive metabolites by the liver (Carroll 1993). These chemical reactions, however, have either proved insignificant or not enough research has been conducted to prove their importance. Researchers have been mostly concerned with the interaction of THC in the humanbody.
Although most public information on drugs is funded by anti-drug organizations, hopefully we will still learn the true facts about marijuana. The brain is the most complicated part of the human body. I will begin by explaining certain parts and their functions. In doing this I hope to give a better understanding of our brain while implicating the possibilities of chemical induced complications “The brain with its 15 billion neurons and nerve cells operates using chemical and electrical messages” (Swanson, 1975).1 This is how we perceive our senses. Differences in the way our brain translates these messages can impair perception.
The debate concerning recreational and medical use of cannabis has historically been incredibly controversial and its popularity is increasing. Many claim that there are no downsides to its use, often falling back on the “alcohol is worse for you” argument, while those who oppose its use say otherwise. In 2013, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) surveyed 70,000 Americans 12 years and older and found that 7.3% of Americans regularly used marijuana in 2012, showing a rise in use over the last several years. While cannabis is still considered an illegal substance in the majority of the country, several states are beginning to shift their views, allowing for the use of medical marijuana in some and even full legal recreational use in others, such as Colorado. The main question driving this debate is how does cannabis affect the mind? Legalization very much depends on peoples’ health and safety concerns, and so in this paper I discuss cannabis and its effects on cognitive function both short- and long-term.
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 has many bad side effects that harm the body. According to Szara Braude, marijuana slows down reactions causing problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking, and loss of coordination (Marijuana as a medicine 53). Many people use this drug not knowing wh...
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...
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant that has many benefits for medical and recreational reasons. The plant is made of hundreds of chemicals, known as cannabinoids, each having different effects on your body. The two main chemicals used in marijuana are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this is the psychoactive compound in marijuana which means it is the element that produces the high. The second main chemical is Cannabidiol (CBD), this element does not produce any psychoactive effects. There are two main categories of Cannabis plants along with hundreds of strains that are used for different reasons and effects. The effects of consuming the drug depends on how often, what type and how they are consuming it. There are many ways on how to consume marijuana such as smoking it, eating it or even using it as an oil to rub on your skin. As of today, 29 states in the United States of
Marijuana is an extremely popular drug, not only in America, but in every other country in the world as well. However, there are many people who do not know exactly what it is or where it comes from. Marijuana is a blend of flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems from the Indian hemp planted called Cannabis. This plant contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the “high” feeling that users experience when smoking it (“Marijuana: Effects, Medical Uses & Legalization”). The THC in marijuana is analogous to the nicotine in tobacco, but it is not as harmful. They both have many similarities, but they also have significant differences.
New York: Nova Science Publishers. Shrivastava, A., Johnston, M., & Tsuang, M. (2011). Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction. Indian journal of psychiatry, 53(3), 187. Shukla, R. (2013).