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Marijuana is a drug that is acquired from the cannabis plant. It is also referred to as cannabis and it is a psychoactive drug (Miller, Oberbarnscheidt and Gold 1). Marijuana is used for recreational or medical purposes. Across the world, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and it is classified as Schedule 1 controlled substance. It alters the mood of a person and affects almost every organ in the body. The cannabis plant is normally dried out, ground up, and smoked. The drug comes in many forms and it can even be baked. In most instances, it is added in the ingredients for cookies and candies for it to be consumed. This produces the same effect as that of smoking it. Marijuana being a psychoactive drug alters perception. It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a chemical compound that causes the effects of the drug (Uhl, Koob and Cable 8). People experience different effects when they consume marijuana and it also depends on how they consume the drug. When marijuana is smoked it produces a faster but short-lived high than when it is taken orally. The most common effects of marijuana are feelings of happiness, mild hallucinations, reduced anxiety, and increased appetite. The risk of overdosing on marijuana is low when compared to that of cocaine. Marijuana is also used for the treatment of chronic pain, anorexia, nausea, muscle spasticity, and sleep disturbances and in this case, it is referred to as medical marijuana. Medical marijuana contains either whole marijuana or the ingredients like cannabidiol (CBD) that forms the base of a limited number of approved medications. There is no government standardization for medical marijuana, which makes its ingredients and potency to be unknown.
When a person uses marijuana, cannabinoid receptors in the brain get activated by the neurotransmitter called Anandamide. THC blocks and mimics the natural actions of neurotransmitters like Anandamide to a point where the individual's body no longer produces sufficient Anandamide...…conclusion, while the risk of a person becoming addicted to marijuana is less when compared to that of other drugs the risk is still there. The chemical changes that take place in the body at the neurotransmitter level could be serious and one can end up losing the normal functioning of their neurotransmitters. This chemical change takes place over time and one will not notice it happening till the day they will not get their usual shot of the drug. Therefore, it is best to keep away from the drug and not to partake in it even for recreational purposes. People who support the usage of the drug will focus solely on the fact that it does not cause addiction if not abused. However, the usage of marijuana is only controlled by the user, which means that the person has to be quite controlled to not overuse the drug. Dependence can occur at any time and one will not realize it.
Drug Profile Drug addiction is a human issue that cultivates biological, psychological, and social consequences, among others. The manifestation of addiction itself is characterized by physical dependence, and is defined by the uncontrollable, compulsive urge to seek and use drugs despite harmful repercussions (Fernandez, Rodriguez & Villa, 2011). Philologically, drug use affects the reward center, where dopamine receptors are over-stimulated. Ultimately, the repetition of drug use is encouraged to achieve the
Mice were exposed to a small amount of THC, and their blood vessel blockages were reduced by as much as 30% (Khamsi). The research is preliminary and involved pure THC as opposed to marijuana but nevertheless shows some areas for future research into the biological benefits of the drug's main psychoactive chemical. Several similar studies show that marijuana and THC may benefit the heart and circulatory system. Marijuana may eventually
In addition, the data suggest that younger arrestees were less inclined to use heroin (Baumler et al. 2002)." This research also found that variables such as geographics, ethnicity, and age provide some explanation for heroin-use patterns (Baumler et al. 2002). All of these variables contribute to drug usage. Counselors and Law enforcement agents must address these variables if they desire to get to the root of the problem of heroin
14). Soon, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which was signed into law in 1937. Like the Harrison Act, the Marijuana Tax Act placed marijuana into the same category as the cocaine and opium drugs. It was now illegal to import marijuana into the United States (McWilliams, 1991). However, this law was ineffective in curbing marijuana use (Brecher, 1986, p. 14). By the early 1940s narcotic addiction had significantly reduced
145)." When the drug impersonates the brain's natural stimuli, causing it to release dopamine, the brain - as is the case with methamphetamine use - will eventually recognize what is happening, in a sense, and will respond to the artificial stimuli by shutting down its dopamine releasing mechanisms (Ling, 2006, documentary film). The Grips of Addiction Like Mark's mice, the drug addict will always have a response to the precipitators in their
And they can often escape into substance abuse and addiction" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn). One of the most important ways in which an increasing rate of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction affects the economy is the spiraling cost of healthcare and rehabilitation. The increase in addictions also creates a gap between the need for treatment and rehabilitation and available resources. This in turn