When marijuana is mentioned, what comes to mind is a chemical that makes a user feel high. On the contrary, marijuana has multiple uses, but the main is medical and recreational. The parts of the plant that are consumed are seeds, leaves, stems, and flowers.
Users mainly smoke marijuana, but many vape and mix in food or drinks. It mainly affects the brain, which controls all functions in the body. Some of the physical and pharmacological effects are short-term, but most of them are long-term.
Physical effects of marijuana
The internet has made it easy to buy weed online UK. The retailers package the products discreetly and deliver them to the door of their customers. The packaging clearly shows if the product is THC or CBD and the level of concentration for each chemical. Beyond delivery, the retailer has no control over how the customer uses the product. The user may decide to use a small amount or more, but each has different types of physical effects on the body.
The high effect
A lot of people who try marijuana for the first time want to get high and feel the effect. It is caused by THC, which overstimulates many nerves in the brain. The brain releases excessive dopamine, which makes the body feel great pleasure, relaxation, and euphoria. The feeling might last for up to 4 hours or more before the person sobers up.
Effects on mental health
Marijuana is used to treat various mental health conditions. Many people use high THC buds to get relief from anxiety, migraine, and other conditions. Overuse could cause users to feel:
- Anxious
- Fear
- Panic
- Paranoid
- Depressed
Effects on an unborn child
Expectant mothers who use high doses of marijuana could affect the health of their unborn child. The same effects can affect a child due to breastfeeding. Marijuana could cause a child to be born:
- Underweight
- With attention challenges
- Behavioral challenges
- Poor concentration
- Poor performance in education
Development of addiction
Marijuana can be misused, and users could develop an addiction. Studies show up to 30% of users develop cannabis use disorder. The user can no longer function normally without using marijuana. It becomes hard for them to quit, and they develop a strong craving for use. They eventually develop secondary problems like seclusion, missing school, relationship gaps, crime, and depression.
Pharmacological effects of marijuana
The term marijuana is used colloquially as a description of all properties found in the plant. Researchers have discovered over 100 different chemicals from the plant. They collectively call them cannabinoids and are mainly extracted from Cannabis Sativa. The largest quantities of cannabinoids so far discovered are THC and CBD.
Both cannabinoids contain receptors CB1 and CB2 embedded in G proteins. Their use led to the suppressed production of cAMP. They also activate potassium and hyperpolarize neurons. When THC is inhaled or ingested, it increases plasma concentration which increases relaxation and sensory experiences. It may increase heart rate or blood pressure. Long-term use may cause serious effects on:
- Immune system
- Fertility
- Dependency
- Cognition
- Psyche
CBD is known to cause:
- Sedation
- Muscle relaxation
- Improved mood
- Blood pressure normalization
- Immunosuppression
- Bronchodilation
- Appetite stimulation
- Antiemesis
- Apoptosis in cancer cells
- Neuroprotection
There is a wide difference in cannabis plants grown around the world. They contain different quantities of THC and CBD, some of which are not commercially viable. Processors can extract until they get enough quantity acceptable for pharmacological use.
Cannabis Sativa contains the highest concentration of THC and CBD. It is available as a prescription drug, although many users may prefer to buy it without a prescription. It is quickly absorbed into the body and delivered to the brain. It can reach peak concentration within 22 minutes.
Conclusion
Cannabis is useful to the body in many ways. Generally, cannabinoids are highly lipophilic. Due to this, they are often stored in the muscles, liver, spleen, and bloodstream. When it stays for a longer time in the body, it could lead to mental, physical, and toxic problems that are difficult to correct. It helps treat many types of diseases, but if not well managed, it can also lead to nausea, anxiety, insomnia, depression, irritation, and nightmares.
