THC content in marijuana varies greatly, which is one of the reasons why it is difficult to generalize about marijuana effects. However, THC does have certain specific actions on brain chemicals and structures. According to Alexander, "THC has been proven to affect the transferring of pain in the brain and that it "interacts with the brain's endogenous opioid system, an important system for the medical treatment of pain." For this reason, marijuana is frequently recommended as a pain relief medication ("Medical Marijuana").
Marijuana affects neurons as well as neurological receptors. The specific brain receptors sensitive to THC include CB1, CB2 and anandamide. Anandamide is "a substance naturally produced by the body that acts at the cannabinoid receptor and has effects similar to those of THC," (Alexander). Alexander also notes, "The CB1 receptor is found primarily in the brain and mediates the psychological effects of THC. The CB2 receptor is associated with the immune system; its role remains unclear." Chronic long-term use of marijuana may cause brain impairment (Alexander).
The short-term psychological effects of smoking marijuana can be extremely pleasant, which is why the drug is used recreationally. However, long-term use can lead to deleterious psychological effects and therefore the drug should be taken cautiously. Initial effects include "giddiness and euphoria, followed by sedation and pleasant tranquility," (Alexander). A "distorted sense of time" and "magical or random thinking" are other short-term effects that can potentially be experienced as pleasurable ("Marijuana Use and Its Effects). Short-term psychological effects also include "heightened sensory awareness," (Hanson, Venturelli and Fleckenstein). Because of the wide variation in types of marijuana and the doses used, the specific psychological effects differ radically and from person to person and "can vary according to the expectations of the user, the social setting, the route of administration, and previous experiences," (Hanson, Venturelli, and Fleckenstein). Some of the negative short-term effects associated with smoking marijuana include short-term memory loss, paranoia, anxiety, and self-consciousness. High doses of the drug can even lead to hallucinations and delusions (Hanson, Venturelli, and Fleckenstein).
Long-term effects from chronic use of marijuana can include anxiety, depression and other mood...
Marijuana Legalization Marijuana, also known as marihuana, is a drug that is taken from Cannabis sativa, a hemp plant. It is one of the most frequently used and popular drugs in the world along with caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. The United States of America is one of the world's leading producers of marijuana where it is generally smoked and is also referred to as weed or reefer by the citizens ("marijuana"). Marijuana
Marijuana Medical Marijuana: The Interplay between State and Federal Law History of Criminalization The Current War on Drugs Political Issues The legal status of medical marijuana in the United States is something of a paradox. On one hand, federal government has placed a ban on the drug with no exceptions. On the other hand, over one-third of the states have that legalizes the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of the drug for medical purposes. As such, the
Marijuana should be legalized. There is no sensible argument for the ongoing prohibition of marijuana. The prohibition of this plant robs governments of potential tax revenues, diverts spending to the prison industrial complex, leads to racially-biased incarceration rates, and violates America's principle of personal freedom. The counterarguments are rooted in fear, ignore evidence and impose the morality of one group of people on all. It is time to leave the
The state currently spends a great deal of money on detaining people on marijuana related offenses. Legalization could help to free up some of these resources which could then be used on more important programs throughout the state. When examining the economic benefits of marijuana legalization it is important to weigh the social costs related to outlawing access to goods, because such restrictions create black markets. Black markets are associated
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
However, someone sitting inside their own home smoking marijuana for pleasure is an important use in itself and one which should not be ignored. "Like sex, alcohol, or cigarettes, marijuana is one of life's little pleasures for some people," and although it can be a vice, the recreational uses are a definite reason for legalization (Messerli 2006). People should not be told what they should and should not enjoy;
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