Marijuana Drugs

Illegal drugs are drugs which have controls on them by a government and are illegal in certain situations (a person is not allowed to have them). A drug is any chemical designed to affect the human body. A psychoactive drug is a drug that affects the brain. Some controlled drugs are allowed if you have permission (called a "prescription") from a doctor. Other drugs are illegal - meaning you are never allowed to have them. Individual countries and places have different laws about different drugs, and there are also international treaties against some drugs. The most used drugs are not illegal.

Marijuana is a mixture of the dried parts of the cannabis sativa hemp plant. Excessive marijuana use can lead to an addiction. The main chemical in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which moves quickly through the bloodstream and to the brain, causing mild hallucinogenic effects. THC binds with cannabdnob receptors and activates neurons, which causes adverse effects on the mind and body. THC can mimic or block actions of neurotransmitters and interfere with normal functions. Marijuana use can lead to disturbed thoughts and can worsen psychotic symptoms. The short-term effects of marijuana include impaired coordination; skewed sensory and time perception; difficulty with thinking; shortened attention span and distractibility; impaired learning and memory. Long term users of marijuana often experience lowered motivation and some can experience anxiety, panic attacks, respiratory illness, and increased heart rate and risk of heart attack.

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the Nation and the world. In an article by Gray (2007) he states that “42% of high school seniors have tried marijuana, 18% have used it in the past 30 days, and 5% use it daily. Among adolescents aged 12 to 17, 3.6% met criteria for cannabis use disorder (abuse or dependence) and 2% met criteria for cannabis dependence”. Gray (2007) also explains how easily adolescents say it is to obtain marijuana these days. The article also states that there is evidence to prove that marijuana use may lead to “hard” drug use, academic failure, and more. With those who use marijuana chronically it may lead to impairing of the immune

The effects of marijuana have been examined in several studies that focused on long-term structural differences, cognitive impairments, prenatal risks and neural functioning deficits. Long-term structural abnormalities include reductions in the volume of the hippocampus, amygdala and nucleus accumbens, where these structures also exhibited changes in density and shape. Participants in several studies showed impairment in memory, learning, concentration, coordination, as well as decreased motivation. Marijuana has addictive properties and has dramatically increased in potency over the last decade, which has led to an increase in marijuana-related fatal car accidents and to an increase in emergency room visits. On the contrary, the non-psychoactive

Marijuana is a drug plant that is either crushed into pieces or rolled using a plant, like a cigarette, or a person can eat the plant. Marijuana acts on specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain (Pharmacology Marijuana). It affects the brain causing psychological effects, such as euphoria. As well as, a person taking this drug may experience depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and vision problems. Also, marijuana affects the body also causing the person to experience physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, increase the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination (Pharmacology Marijuana). In the brain contains THC, and marijuana

The majority of clinical research studies concerning marijuana use and its effects unravel the uncertainty which surrounds the subject and present the common pattern of insisting that further clinical enquiry is necessary. Measurable immediate effects generally translate in a temporary alteration of perception, as "colors and sounds may seem more intense, and time appears to pass very slowly. The user's mouth feels dry, and s/he may suddenly become very hungry and thirsty" (Yacoubian). Admittedly, these manifestations hardly seem to pose any social danger. However, the overall objection to marijuana is based on negative long-term effects, which seem to be carcinogenic, harmful to human immune, respiratory and reproductive systems, and compromising of short-term memory and cognitive capacities.

"The science of marijuana: how THC affects the brain." That explains scientists identified the sites in the brain and body where marijuana acts and called them cannabinoid (CB) receptors. Scientists then discovered the body's own natural chemicals--anandamide and 2-AG (2-arachidonoyl glycerol)--which also act on CB receptors. These chemicals (called cannabinoids), along with their receptors, make up the endocannabinoid (EC) system. The EC system is found in many areas of the brain, which explains why it affects so many different body functions. Cannabinoids exert their influence by regulating how cells communicate--how they send, receive, or process messages” (New York Times).

Despite this plant having this many chemicals, only 61 are considered to be cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is one of these 61 chemicals that was isolated and synthesized in the early 1960’s. THC is considered one of the pre eminent and active ingredients in cannabis. When someone smokes Marijuana, THC enters the lungs alveoli, or air sacs, and diffuses through a single thin layer of epithelial tissue into the bloodstream. This blood will carry the THC molecule to the brain where almost all the reactions and mechanisms occur. The brain contains many natural cannabinoid (CB) receptors that are part of the endocannabinoid system. Natural cannabinoids and neurotransmitters that are produced in the brain, for instance anandamide, are critical in appetite, pain, memory, and even fertility. THC mimics many natural cannabinoids like anandamide, and bind to the same cannabinoid receptors. These cannabinoid receptors are found in many neurons throughout the brain. The main function of a neuron is to interpret signals from the physical world into action potentials and neurotransmitters. THC could affect many parts of the brain. In the hypothalamus, when THC binds to a cannabinoid receptor, it induces an action potential, and the neuron releases a neurotransmitter known as dopamine. High levels of dopamine create a sensation of euphoria for the user. Users using this drug report feeling happy, and creative. Marijuana decreases the refractory period of the neuron, and makes it fire at higher rates. This affects spatial memory, which is a type of memory that allows us to observe and record specific spatial information from the environment. It also affects episodic memory, which are memories and experiences from the past. Those who use marijuana recall many vivid memories from their

First, opponents of medical marijuana argue that the principal constituent of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one with more than 60 active ingredients in marijuana, which can bind to cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences them, which are interfering thinking, concentration, memory and cognitive abilities on the brain over time. Thus, marijuana should not be legalized for medical purposes. However, THC in marijuana has medical benefits. A recent study by University of Saskatchewan shows that “Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis. Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis.” The study has also proven that THC in marijuana can protect and promote the growth of new brain cells from inflammation and oxidative stress (Leaf Science, 2014). Also, the Center for Mental Health Research at Australian National University researched on nearly 2000 marijuana users in age 20 to 24. After 8 years, they found that there was a little negative long-term effect on cognition and the brain within marijuana users (Time magazine). In fact, compared to modern pharmaceuticals, marijuana is viewed as a medicinal potential that proved to be more an effective treatment since it is natural and contains unique chemical compounds as THC. Prescribing

Marijuana is derived from the leaves, stems and flowering parts of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The discovery of cannabis can be traced back to 2900 B.C. China, and has been used for hundreds of years for multiple purposes including: fibers, oils, medicine and recreation (Cannabis). The cannabis plant contains psychoactive chemicals, substances that change brain function, resulting in alteration of mood, perception, and consciousness. The psychoactive chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, acts on specific brain receptors, inducing a relaxed state, relieving pain, causing fatigue, and stimulating appetite (Davis Web). Marijuana is typically smoked, which releases the THC that is then absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs. Marijuana induces the release of dopamine creating a feeling of euphoria almost immediately. The fast acting drug is especially appealing to sensation seeking young adults and teens.

Smoking or ingesting marijuana creates a euphoric effect for the user. The effects can range from being in a mellow or calm mood to sleepiness. Users also exhibit an inability or lack of desire to use critical thought processes and show little or no motivation to complete normal activities of daily living. The active ingredient in marijuana that causes these effects is “THC or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol” (Drugabuse.gov, 2012, July). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “THC binds to specific sites called cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) located on the surface of [the brain] nerve cells. These receptors are found in high-density in areas of the brain that influence pleasure, memory,

While cannabis may be one of the most commonly abused drugs worldwide. Morocco's passing long history of cannabis use supplies the cultural background for its current role as one of the world's largest producers of cannabis, a traditional crop in the north of the country.

Many regions of the brain contain cannabinoid receptors, of which anandamide molecules, concerned with regulating mood, appetite and emotions, naturally bind to. Cannabis contains an active ingredient known as ‘delta-9-tetrahydrocannabonic’ (THC), and when smoked or eaten, the THC imitates the activity of anandamide by binding to cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells, and therefore influences

These endocannabinoids affect cognition; behavior; an increase in feelings of well-being and appetite; pain; anxiety and emotional states. So, it stands to reason that once these body receptors respond to the presence of cannabinoids, these traits are mediated by the medical marijuana (ZUKERAN, 2017).

Abusing marijuana increases the risk of heart attack. Benefits of Marijuana The mechanism of action of marijuana is that attachment of THC and other cannabinoids to two types of receptors occurs once marijuana is smoked or ingested. One of these receptors is the CB1 which is present in the brain particularly in areas that have control over memory, movement, and vomiting. For this reason, balance and coordination and short term memory and learning are affected thus marijuana can be helpful in the treatment of nausea, loss of appetite, and pain. Moreover, CB2 receptor is primarily located in the immune system specifically, the lymph nodes and spleen. Although there is no exact explanation of its function but it is considered as a brake thus suppressing the immune system. On the other hand, after several minutes of smoking marijuana, its peak level is reached and this will last up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Meanwhile, ingestion of marijuana utilizes food as this can hamper from reaching peak levels in the body and its effect will last longer in the body. In fact, dronabinol prescription, has potent effects after 30 minutes and its mechanism of appetite stimulation will last for more than 24 hours. Meanwhile, medical professionals believe that marijuana is a very effective drug that relieve nausea, vomiting, spasticity, certain types of pain, appetite loss, other symptoms caused by such illnesses like