One of the most identified psychoactive substance is a plant with. This psychoactive plant contains the. It produces a feeling of “high” when taken. The “bud” of the plant contains the higher levels of THC.
This substance is commonly smoked in a pipe. It could also be smoked in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco leaf used to wrap the cigar. With this, marijuana’s active ingredients combine with nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Marijuana can also be mixed in food. When marijuana is snorted, it goes rapidly into the blood through the lungs and then to the brain. The “high” mood is felt within a few minutes and could last up to five hours. When marijuana is consumed, it is immersed gradually for the reason that it has to the pass the stomach and intestine for absorption. The varying feeling could take up an hour but would last longer, for about twelve hours.
How does THC works in the brain? It actually attaches on a specific site in the brain known as the cannabinoid receptor which influences the activities of the nerve cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have little or none. Many cannabinoid receptors are located in the areas of the brain that influence enjoyment, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Cannabinoid receptors are mostly concentrated in the hypothalamus, amygdale, spinal cord, brain stem, central gray, and nucleus of the solitary tract. These brain areas are most likely affected with THC, thus will cause a dysfunction in behaviors related to these areas. THC triggers the reward system of the brain which causes the release of dopamine, which in turn is responsible for the “high” feeling.
With repeated use of marijuana, the body becomes tolerant to the substance. Just like any other abused substances, marijuana could cause withdrawal symptoms when usage is stopped. When the body tolerates the substance, higher doses is required, and in turn, causing more damage in the person’s life. The person wouldn’t stop taking in the drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. This attitude, then, translates to marijuana dependence. Marijuana is considered to be both mentally and emotionally addictive. Addicts believe that they need to take marijuana to live normally and to have fun.
Marijuana could change anyone for the duration of the use. It can affect one’s state socially, emotionally, physically, and even psychologically. One would lack the interest in doing any mundane activities. The addict would then stay away from their friends who do not use marijuana and gravitate to those who use the substance. It is rooted in their minds that they could not do things without being stoned of smoking marijuana first. They think that smoking marijuana could explain all their problems. Moreover, as indicated by how the brain is affected with marijuana, memory and cognition is very much affected. Studies have shown that heavy users have trouble sustaining attention, changing attention to meet the demands of the changes in the environment, and in registering, processing, and using information. It has been suggested that the greater impairment among heavy users is likely due to an change of brain activity given of by marijuana. Furthermore, smoking marijuana could lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue and other respiratory problems.
Marijuana can either be addictive or not. For people with addictive tendency, then yes, marijuana could be addictive. However, there are people who argue that they can take or leave it and have quit for a long duration. Well, probably, in their case, the answer is no.
Like any other drugs, marijuana may have something positive to give to humanity, however, when humans tend to abuse it, it becomes the evil hand that stirs your mind into something you couldn’t imagine.
