What is Cannabis/ Marijuana?
Green. Weed. Bud. Ganja. These are all terms for the marijuana plant, or the dried flowers of the cannabis plant. Oftentimes, this earthy substance is smoked in pipes, bongs, or blunts, and can be ingested via food (also known as edibles) or vaporized. It is known to be psychoactive, or mind-altering, due to the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and the more than 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC, referred to as cannabinoids. THC and cannabinoids alter the normal brain communication by being similar in structure to anandamide, which makes the brain easily recognize THC as this chemical compound. Anandamide affects the body’s pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, and coordination. Due to the similarity of the chemical makeup of both THC and anandamide, THC is easily attached to molecules called cannabanoid receptors, or nerve cells in the brain that affect the same things that anandamide do.
What does it do?
When you smoke marijuana, THC and other cannabinoids pass through the lungs, directly into the bloodstream; results are seen mere minutes after inhaling. When ingesting edibles, effects can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your metabolism and digestive system. Oftentimes, people experience a pleasant feeling, nearly euphoric, and almost immediately become relaxed. Colors may appear brighter, the most mundane things become funny, and time slows to a near stop. Then, what is known as the munchies sets in: you may experience an insatiable hunger, for the saltiest and sweetest snacks. Sounds great, right? Otherwise, some people are known to experience anxiety, paranoia, panic, and distrust. These effects are less common, and are usually seen in those who are inexperienced with marijuana or smoke or ingest too much at once. Rarely, people are seen to experience acute psychosis, along with hallucinations or delusions. Smoked marijuana usually lasts anywhere from one to three hours, while marijuana that is ingested can last multiple hours.
Is it common?
There is widespread use of marijuana in adolescents and young adults; In fact, in 2019, a survey suggests that around 36% of 12th graders have used marijuana in the past year, with 22% stating that they have used in the past month. With technology evolving to THC vapes, 4% of 12th graders stated that they vaped THC daily.
Is it addictive?
Many people are wondering the same question as marijuana becomes legalized in more states across America: Is the plant addictive? The simple answer to that is “no,” but there are downfalls of frequent marijuana use.
Many times, those who use marijuana are dependent on it to help increase their moods, appetite, and some use it to self-medicate, although studies show that marijuana can be beneficial to both mental and physical illnesses. Those who frequently use marijuana may develop Marijuana Use Disorder, which can take the form of addiction in severe cases. Those who begin using marijuana under the age of 18 are about five times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder when compared to adults.
Marijuana Use Disorders?
These disorders are associated with dependence, and can carry withdrawal symptoms when the user stops taking the drug. Those who stop using marijuana often report irritability, sleep difficulties, general moodiness, decreased appetite, and even physical discomfort within the first week of quitting. These symptoms can last anywhere from two weeks to months, depending on how long the person was using marijuana for. This dependence oftentimes occurs when the brain adapts to large amounts of THC and other cannabinoids, thus reducing both the production and sensitivity of it’s own neurotransmitters.
Marijuana use disorder can, however, become somewhat of an addiction; When the user cannot stop using the drug, although it interferes with multiple aspects of their life, it takes on an addictive persona. It is completely possible to become dependent on a substance, like caffeine, without becoming addicted to it. There is a fine line between dependence and addiction; Addiction is marked by the change in behavior due to a chemical change in the brain, after continued substance abuse, while dependence is the physical tolerance and withdrawal.
Is there ever too much?
Using marijuana in a recreational setting is becoming legal across the United States; however, there is such a thing as using too much marijuana. Marijuana causes not only dry mouth, oftentimes referred to as “cotton mouth,” but can cause paranoia, and in some extreme cases, acute psychosis. If you choose to use marijuana, do so in small quantities. Although it is rarely seen as addictive, there is a chance you can become dependent on it.
If you need help with marijuana addiction or any other addiction, please reach out to SAMHSA today.