Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illegal drug in the world. It refers to the dried flowers, seeds, and leaves of the Indian hemp plant. It is usually smoked just like a cigarette (joint) or in a pipe. Some people also mix it with food to eat or brew it as tea. A blunt is also created by opening up cigars, removing the tobacco, and replacing it with marijuana. This drug is also known as dope, ganja, grass, hemp, herb, home grown, J, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, roach, Texas tea, astro turf, and weed.
Marijuana has a stronger counterpart, hashish, which is made from the resins of the Indian hemp plant. Together, marijuana and hashish are called cannabis. The chemical in cannabis that causes its hallucinogenic effects is known as THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. This chemical changes or even distorts how the mind perceives the environment.
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A Brief History of Marijuana
The Indian hemp plant has long been used and grown as a hallucinogen over 2,000 years ago. While there are over 400 different chemicals composing marijuana, THC is its main component responsible for its effects in the body and mind. The amount of THC in a plant varies, but modern farming methods have allowed people to grow strains that have higher THC levels. While before, THC was at 1%, today, it can go as high as 9.6%. There is also a new form of marijuana, sinsemilla, which have THC levels ranging between 7.5% to 24%
Effects of Marijuana
When a person smokes marijuana, the effects can be felt within minutes. Immediate effects include:
- increased heart rate
- lessened coordination
- lost sense of balance
- dreamy state of mind
These effects peak within the first 30 minutes and wear off after two to three hours.
As the user smokes the joint and holds it in his lungs, it creates a sense of discomfort in the area that also affects the throat. It’s been shown that one joint has enough cancer-causing chemicals equal to smoking five cigarette.
Marijuana Addiction
There’s mixed beliefs about the addictive qualities of marijuana. Some say that it is highly addictive and can cause physical and psychological effects to the user. However, there are those that say that the drug has no addictive qualities.
Genes are strong predictors of addiction, as well as environment.
Marijuana Effects
Marijuana can change the behavior of the user and cause:
- distorted perception
- impaired balance
- impaired coordination
- difficulty focusing and thinking
- problem-solving difficulties
- learning and memory problems
Frequent users of marijuana experience the following:
- red, bloodshot eyes
- constant mucous-filled coughs
- hunger (munchies)
- rapid heartbeat
- anxiety and fear
- paranoia
- dry mouth
- poor memory
- poor coordination
- loss of control
- slow reaction and reflexes
- addiction
Marijuana is also referred to as the gateway to other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and many others.
Withdrawal Effects of Marijuana
- irritability
- sleeplessness
- restlessness
- decreased appetite
- anxiety
- drug craving
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