The Effects Of Cannabis And Its Connection On Increased Schizophrenia

Marijuana in the late 1960s’ had only one percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, compared to present day where Health Canada has discovered there is at least 10 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol and 30 percent in some cases. The tetrahydrocannabinol is a strong chemical and works immediately after one has inhaled it. Tetrahydrocannabinol mimics the neurotransmitter anandamide, which fills in the synapse between neurons and this disrupts the brain’s regular functions. In a normally functioning brain, anandamide activates the cannabinoid receptors but when smoking marijuana tetrahydrocannabinol activates these receptors which are in the hippocampus, cerebellum and basal ganglia. This affects the short-term memory, coordination, and learning and problem-solving skills for an individual. Brain development is also affected by the use of cannabis. Dr. Harold Kalant conducted a study in the 1980s’ with rats and cannabis use. He separated the rats into two groups; rats exposed to cannabis at adolescents and rats exposed to cannabis in adulthood. Kalant observed the rats exposed to cannabis as adolescents, had difficulty with memory and learning even after nine years of no exposure. In comparison, the rats who were adults when exposed to cannabis didn’t have long term effects. It is evident that brain development was disrupted by the use of cannabis in the growing years. Also, Dr. Andra Smith saw in her functional magnetic resonance imaging of brain activity of regular cannabis smokers and non-smokers, that the smokers had a more brain activity. She stated it was due to the brain having to work hard to “respond accurately”. It is obvious that brain function and development is harshly impacted by the use of

These summary debates summarize and discuss are the calculation of cannabis use for many individuals with PTSD. According to the article, Does Cannabis Cause Exacerbated or Ameliorate Psychiatric Disorders, Neuropsychopharmacology (2016) 41, the authors of the article gives opposing viewpoints concerning the influence cannabis use has on those with post-traumatic stress disorder, the relationship with schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders.

The human brain has 2 different types of cannabis receptors called type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) (4). The CB1 receptors are involved with neurobiological departments of the brain including the: hippocampus (memory), amygdala (emotions), cerebral cortex (conditions), limbic forebrain (motivation), and finally the cerebellum (motor condition) (4). A 1997 study concluded that THC causes dopamine release at the same rate as heroin (2). When activated the receptors in these regions release the chemical compound called dopamine affecting the brain in many ways. It is the chemical responsible for users to feel the euphoria or ‘high’ that is associated with marijuana consumption (4). Hand-eye coordination, judgement, reaction times, and tracking ability are all lowered due to marijuana usage (3). Short-term memory is also impaired while under the influence of cannabis (3). Furthermore a decrease in the user’s attention span is apparent (3). In adults who use marijuana, higher rates of psychosis with predisposition to schizophrenia are observed (3). Furthermore, a publication in the British Medical Journal concluded that marijuana use can cause adverse psychological effects including depression, anxiety, and incite violence in users(6). Constant long-term usage of cannabis can cause a dependence or an addiction to the THC in adults (3). MRI scans users also concluded that structural abnormalities in CB1

It seems every decade marijuana studies show that it has no side effects on users, in turn it become more available like when some states in America had legalized it. Dr Kevin M. Gray believes that the only side effect of smoking weed is the physical addictions it causes, he believes that over 51% of all teens have used weed at least once and the biggest problem we are facing with this rapidly growing drug use is only addiction. Dr Marshall M. Gay believes that the health effects of weed isn’t that much as smoking cigarettes and doesn’t see it a threat to people’s health. “More than half (51%) of adolescents reported that marijuana is fairly or very easy to obtain.2 this ease of availability may have contributed to a recently reported "reverse gateway" from cigarettes use to marijuana”. The more ignored belief is that marijuana can lead to a variety of developmental, mental and physical side effects. The effects of smoking weed can extend to those of smoking cigarettes “studies show regular marijuana use can lead to many of the same

Although research shows that adolescent use is harmful to developing brains, Dr. Kevin Hill of McLean Hospital's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse commented, “The growing body of research that includes this study suggests that medical marijuana laws do not increase adolescent use and future decisions that states make about whether or not to enact medical marijuana laws should be at least partly guided by this evidence” (Borchardt). Other research is showing that pot use is increasing among teens-- ironically though, that increase is not in the states where it is legal. The National Survey on Drug Use points out that marijuana has consistently been the most accessible illicit drug since 1975 when 81% of teens reported they could get it, before

Let us discuss and dive into the study of a disease called schizophrenia. We will be taking a look at its symptoms, its causes, the areas of the brain it affects, its neural basis, and the appropriate drug therapies for the disease. Having an informed understanding of the disease and what it entails is crucial to making sure patients that suffer from schizophrenia receive the proper treatment and care from their psychiatrists. Afterwards, we will also be looking at a couple of case studies involving anxiety and drug abuse. As for now, our focus will be on the terrible disease of schizophrenia.

Is cannabis dangerous? This particular issue has been discussed, contemplated, and argued in several settings throughout our country’s history, but it is a particularly prominent issue in today’s society. Many individuals have their own opinions on marijuana, whether it be positive or negative, but an objective perspective is necessary to justly weigh the benefits and detriments of marijuana use and legalization. When an unbiased person analyzes the controversial topic of cannabis, he or she would realize that the substance does not plainly fall into a single category. There is ample, scientific proof that marijuana has numerous medicinal purposes, such as treating glaucoma and different seizure disorders. However, there is equivalent

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.

Consumption of cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, is thought to cause psychological disorders. However, in some cases, cannabis has little to no causation evidence for the development of these disorders. As a result, it is still controversial whether cannabis truly increases the chances of developing these disorders.1 Consumption of marijuana is fatal to society. Society is under a great misconception that marijuana is a merely a recreational drug and its affects are temporary. Mainly adolescents seem to engage in its consumption, being unaware of the critical long term effects that can follow. Consumption of this drug, results with health issues that are irreversible and can persist through adult hood, causing permanent damage to one’s cognition and mental health. The main focus within this literacy paper will be -- can marijuana truly have causal links which relate to the occurrence of psychosis? This paper will discuss the effects that marijuana has on the neural pathways and will provide evidence for both “yes” and “no” sides regarding the causation of psychosis due to cannabis. Through the given evidences, conclusions will be drawn towards either the “yes” or the “no” side and this will answer the question.

People think and remember differently during cannabis intoxication. The deficiencies connected with intoxication are relatively specific Individuals who are high show clear issues, concentrating on objectives, and adapting new, complex data. These issues deteriorate with higher measurements of marijuana and more complicated errands. Higher intake of marijuana creates more impairment on numerous distinctive occasions, especially in individuals who have next to no involvement with the medication.

Some of the most significant controversies in today’s society has been on how to deal with the use of marijuana. Marijuana is a mind-altering psychoactive drug that comes from the cannabis plant. Its primary effects come from the chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or “THC.” Marijuana can be smoked, vaporized, or ingested in foods or teas. While some people view marijuana negatively, others might view this drug positively because of its medicinal benefits. According to research, there are more tendencies to overuse marijuana due to addiction because of the components of marijuana. Marijuana consists of toxic chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen cyanide, which can cause irritation to the bronchial passages, the lungs, and elevate the

on the main articles of discussion of marijuana. Contrary to many users’ beliefs, marijuana is an addictive

Cannabis is one of recreational drugs that are widely used, taking third place among drugs of concern in addiction treatment services (Degenhardt et al., 2008). There is a conflicting evidence for an association between cannabis abuse and the type or number of depressive symptoms. In the view of the self-medication hypothesis, subclinical depressive symptoms can cause social difficulties and psychological distress that may be relieved by cannabis abuse (Schofield et al., 2006). An association between cannabis abuse and the presence of fewer or less severe depressive symptoms was reported (Denson and Earleywine, 2006; Tosato et al., 2013), suggesting that cannabis use may alleviate some of these symptoms. On the other hand, other studies have observed an increase in negative (D 'Souza et al., 2005) or depressive (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Lev-Ran et al., 2014) symptoms when Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is administered to patients with schizophrenia. In addition, heavy or problematic cannabis use resulted in depression. (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Moore et al., 2007; Kedzior and Martin-Iverson , 2010) and anxiety (Crippa et al., 2009).

In a recent study conducted by Metlife and The Partnership at Drugfree.com, it was discovered that high school students have begun to use marijuana on a daily basis more frequently than alcohol (National Study, 2012). What had once been viewed as a “dangerous drug” is now being viewed as “normalized behavior” (National Study, 2012). While the perception of marijuana among teens may change, the effects remain the same. Studies have shown that marijuana use among teens can have negative effects on adolescent’s developing brain. Those negative effects can include long- term cognitive impairment and an increased risk for severe psychiatric disorders. Those who begin to use marijuana in the preadolescent stage, are at greater risk for

in “Marijuana Facts” 1). From an outsider’s perspective, one has to ask why is there so much tension and hesitation in legalizing marijuana? If alcohol is the direct cause of many deaths, while marijuana has not been responsible for any, it only makes sense that our health would not be our greatest concern in legalizing the drug. Also, it is important to understand marijuana consumption is less susceptible to overuse than alcohol or other drugs (Marijuana 10:477). Despite this, critics often argue that marijuana is a gateway to other more potent and harmful drugs. According to Dr. Halbach of the World Health Organization there is no pharmacological link between cannabis and opiates (Marijuana 10:477). This demonstrates the physiological unlikelihood of marijuana being a stepping-stone to other more potent drugs containing opiates. Marijuana does have drawbacks and side effects, as any other drug whether medicinal or recreational. However, putting the drug in perspective helps one to understand the contradiction in legalizing other drugs while continuing to ignore marijuana even though it can beneficial in different capacities.