The Effects of Marijuana on the Body

June 30, 2015

The Effects of Marijuana on the Body: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

The Effects of Marijuana on the Body can be very fatal. Look at the ruptured lungs of one seriously into marijuana smoking! It is very disturbing

Having the knowledge about the effects of marijuana on the body is very important not just to the addicts but also the family friends and relatives. With such information, individuals can take the right precautions in good time to avoid occurrence of serious health complications. I know that you may be wondering where to get such valuable health information, and I want to inform you that you are at the right place where you will meet great experts in their own right. I am making reference to the experts and professionals at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury’s care. You can therefore be the first to know with the experts by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today and your life will never be the same again.

Now to start us off on the discussion, doctor Akoury says that marijuana originates from the Cannabis plant. Besides the roots nearly every other part of the plant is used by its users. However before it is ready for consumption, it has to be prepared meaning that its flowers, seeds, leave, and stems must be shredded and dried before they can be useful. According to doctor Akoury, the most common means of administering this drug into the body system is through smoking; however it can also be mixed into food, brewed into tea, or even used in a vaporizer. Remember that marijuana has quite a number of ingredients that affects the normal functionalities of the body but one of its major ingredients is a mind-altering chemical called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We will be making a lot of references about this as we progress into the discussion. Now experts have established that when you inhale marijuana smoke into your lungs, it is quickly released into your bloodstream which will act as its vehicle transporting it right away into your brain and other body organs. This journey is always a little bit faster when the substance is smoked however it will take a little longer to be absorbed when you eat or drink it.

It is also very important to note that the effects of marijuana on the body are immediate. Longer-term effects may depend on how you take it, how much you take, and how often you use it. Nevertheless a lot is being done about this substance and even though it is an illegal drug in many states across the globe, like in the US, this position is causing conducting large-scale studies to be very difficult to manage. Nevertheless in the recent years, the medicinal properties of marijuana are gaining acceptance in mainstream America. And in fact medical marijuana is now legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. With THC and another ingredient called cannabidol (CBD) being the main substances of therapeutic interest. However it is important to note that the National Institutes of Health-funded research into the possible medicinal uses of THC and CBD is ongoing and it will be interesting to get there findings when the study is concluded.

The Effects of Marijuana on the Body: Respiratory System

The respiratory system of human beings is one such sensitive aspect of life. Anything affecting in the negative way literally brings down ones health to its knees. And therefore marijuana just like cigarette smoking produces intoxicated smoke loaded with a variety of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can be very irritating to the bronchial passages and even extends to the lungs. It therefore means that with this degree of irritation, anybody addicted to regular and intensive smoking of marijuana will most likely suffer coughing, wheezing and produce phlegm in the process. With such happenings, such users will be at increased risk of bronchitis and lung infections, and besides that it is worth noting that marijuana use may also exacerbate the prevailing respiratory illnesses like asthma and cystic fibrosis. In her submission, doctor Akoury also says that marijuana smoke is very rich in carcinogens, meaning that with constant abuse it can potentially raise ones risk of developing lung cancer. However, and this is very important, studies on the subject have had mixed results. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), there is no conclusive evidence that marijuana smoke causes lung cancer. It therefore means that a lot more research needs to be done to have a conclusive scientific statement about this.

The Effects of Marijuana on the Body: Circulatory System

With the use of marijuana, the circulatory system is one of the biggest casualties. This is because THC moves very fast from your lungs into your bloodstream and throughout your body. Within minutes, your heart rate may increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute and that is according to the NIDA findings. And remember that with this, the rapid heartbeat can continue for up to three hours. For people with heart disease, this faster heartbeat could raise the risk of heart attack and you can just imagine how fatal that can be. And just to bring you up to speed with some signs of marijuana use, it is worth noting that one of the revealing signs of recent marijuana use is bloodshot eyes. They look red because marijuana causes blood vessels in the eyes to expand or dilate. Marijuana may help stop the growth of blood vessels that feed cancerous tumors.

Ideally from the discussion so far it is very evident that the effects of marijuana on the body are not anything to be treated with contempt. This is something that we are going to be following for you from time to time so that this link can become your first one stop clinic for all matters relating to health and substance abuse. As we progress into this discussion in the next article, doctor Akoury will be shedding more light about the effects of marijuana on the body and particularly in relation to:

This is definitely something you don’t want to miss on so I want to take this earliest opportunity to request you to stay on the link and also to invite a friend so that we can all pool together in the fight against this vice of marijuana addiction and its effects to human health. But in the mean time I know that this article will not be conclusive if I don’t offer you solutions about all these effects and I promise I will not disappoint. All the solutions you need are rested at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This facility was formed by doctor Dalal Akoury primarily to give her contribution in the transformation of each and every individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. This is one experience that you don’t want to be left out on. Remember that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. What that means is that this is the home of all addiction related solutions and you are welcomed to associate with it for the benefit of your health and that of your family, friends and relatives.

The Effects of Marijuana on the Body: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Effects of Cannabis Deregulation on College Students

March 16, 2015

Effects of Cannabis Deregulation on College Students

Scientifically Cannabis sativa popularly known by many titles such as weed, marijuana among others, has always been a drug that is accessible to many youths in spite of harsh laws that regulate its use in given countries. In most countries the use of this drug is prohibited and if you are unlucky to be caught you will serve a jail term longer enough to make you regret knowing it in the first place. Despite the stringent rules that have outlawed the use of this drug in many countries it has remained one of the highly abused drugs especially by college students and teens who are out of school.

Marijuana is currently an outlawed drug in most countries but it does not defy the saying that every dark cloud has a silver lining, it also has good effects that were once valued- this drug being rich in THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is one of the most active ingredient in cannabis that has medicinal qualities, due to its high content in this medicinal content, many researchers have opined that marijuana can be used in treatment of many diseases including cancer. However owing to the fact that it is a highly addictive drug that is prone to be abused it has attracted the attentions for all the wrong reasons making it outlawed in many parts of the world.

The use of cannabis is common despite the strict laws in fact it is on the rise among college students, thanks to its hallucinatory effects that has made it a darling to many students. Most college students begin using this drug without even knowing all the side effects that it is always associated with. Due to peer pressure and a need to belong some students also begin using this drug since some of their friends are using it. in the long run the number of college students affected grows and by the time they become aware of the dangerous effects of using cannabis they are have already become addicted to the drug so much that it can’t be easily stopped. This leads to a situation where college students become adversely affected with the drug so much that they cannot effectively study.

Cannabis and students

The use of cocaine on the rise among students

According to an article published on Michigan University News on Sept/8/2014; the use of illicit drugs has been rising at an alarming rate among American college students since 2006 when only 34 per cent indicated that they had used some illicit drugs in years prior to 2006. By 2013 the rate of those who indicated to have used illicit drugs had heightened by 39 per cent. The report also stated that marijuana is one of the drugs that are highly abused by college students. This study was done by University of Michigan scientists who conduct the nationwide Monitoring the Future study.

The report states that the use of marijuana is on the rise while that of other drugs of leisure is declining and this can be attributed to availability of this drug and affordability in comparison to such drugs as cocaine and heroin. According to this study, Daily marijuana use is now at the highest rate among college students in more than three decades. 51 percent of all full-time college students currently have used an illicit drug at some time in their lives; roughly four in 10 have used one or more such drugs in just the 12 months preceding the survey.

The results are based on a nationally representative sample of some 1,100 students enrolled full time in a 2- or 4-year college in spring 2013. The survey is part of the long-term MTF study, which also tracks substance use among the nation’s secondary students and older adults under research grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The study showed that marijuana has remained the most widely used illicit drug over the 34 years that MTF has tracked substance use by college students, but the level of use has varied considerably over time. In 2006, 30 percent of the nation’s college students said they used marijuana in the prior 12 months, whereas in 2013 nearly 36 percent indicated doing so. This shows how marijuana use in colleges is rising despite the fact that it is still regulated. The question is what will happen if it is deregulated.

If marijuana would be deregulated today, the students will begin using it like some sort of over the counter drugs, without fear of authorities and deregulation in itself may sound as an approval by the state on the positive effects of the drug hence many students will use it.

Cannabis

These are some of the problems that the students will face

Inconsistence in performance- consuming alcohol doesn’t end with blowing the smoke in the air; its effects are far more than the euphoric effects that an individual may get from using the drug. When used for a long time it will result in anxiety which will not enable the student to study and perform well in exams and being that it will be unregulated the dosage may hike to a dangerous limit that over a time may cause cognitive malfunctions.

Depression- this is a threat that most people using cannabis have to face. Depression is not good for a student as it alienates him from his studies and even lecturers it may graduate to other serious problems.

Addiction to marijuana is a serious concern that needs to be duly addressed. Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to offer the best treatment available to addicts. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for more help in any kind of addiction you may be wrestling with.

Effects of Cannabis Deregulation on College Students

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

September 27, 2014

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists are also known as spice. These are a collection of herbs or plant material which has been sprayed with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, often referred to as synthetic cannabinoids, producing a cannabis-like effect when smoked. Today there are more than one type of cannabinoids that have been identified but they are all active as they mimic the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active principle in cannabis. Most compounds come from the JWH chemical family, such as JWH-018.

For emphasis it is good to repeat that these synthetic cannabinoids are functionally similar to tetrahydrocannabinol often shortened as THC. THC is the most active principle of cannabis. Like THC, they bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs as the endogenous ligand anandamide. More correctly designated as cannabinoid receptor agonists, they were initially developed over the past forty years as therapeutic agents, often for the treatment of pain. However, it proved difficult to separate the desired properties from unwanted psychoactive effects.

Synthetic cannabinoid

In the past years especially in the late 2008, several cannabinoids were detected in herbal smoking mixtures and incense as well as room odorisers. Typical of these were Spice Gold, Spice Silver and Yucatan Fire, but many other products later appeared. They do not contain tobacco or cannabis but when smoked, produce effects similar to those of cannabis. These products are typically sold via the Internet and in ‘head shops’. The spices are therefore as dangerous as cannabis and so should be avoided.

The fact that these spices are referred to as synthetic cannabinoids does not mean that they are similar to the real cannabinoids in all aspects in fact most of these synthetic cannabinoids are not related to the real cannabinoids in structure and hence though they can mimic the activities of the cannabinoids but they may work in a way that will cause more harm. The cannabinoid receptor agonists form a diverse group, but most are lipid soluble and non-polar, and consist of 22 to 26 carbon atoms. This therefore means that they would therefore volatilize readily when smoked. A common structural feature is a side-chain, where optimal activity requires more than four and up to nine saturated carbon atoms. The synthetic cannabinoids can be classified into seven major structural groups. These groups are;

Naphthoylindoles (e.g. JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-398).
Phenylacetylindoles (i.e. benzoylindoles, e.g. JWH-250).
Cyclohexylphenols (e.g. CP 47,497 and homologues of CP 47,497).
Classical cannabinoids (e.g. HU-210).

Other cannabinoid receptor agonists include substances such as oleamide. Oleamide is an endogenous substance that is also used in plastics manufacture. Another one is methanandamide. Oleamide and methanandamide are both related to anandamide in structure. Despite the similarities in structure with the anandamide the activities of these two synthetic cannabinoids have been questioned. It is thought that neither methanandamide nor other arachidonyl derivatives related to anandamide would be sufficiently volatile to be smoked. Certain fluorosulfonates exhibit agonist activity at cannabinoid receptors, as does naphthalen-1-yl-(4-pentyloxynaphthalen-1-yl)methanone, but the latter appears not to be psychoactive, at least when administered orally.

Physical state

SyntheticCannabinoids Most of these synthetic cannabinoids are either solids or oils as they exist in pure state. Smoking mixtures are usually sold in metal-foil sachets, typically containing 3 g of dried vegetable matter to which one or more of the cannabinoids have been added. Typically, a solution of the cannabinoids has been sprayed onto the herbal mixture to give it the drug effect. Just like any other business oriented producer you will find a number of plants listed on the packaging but the plants mentioned on the packaging may not even be present. This is utmost dangerous as you may be using these spices thinking you are safe based on the ingredients wrote on the packaging while in real sense you are using substances you do not even know. These spices are often sold while containing high amounts of Vitamin E which is purported to be used in masking the analysis of the most active cannabinoids. The producers of these spices will put more cannabinoids in the samples to confound the forensic chemical detection.

The cannabinoid receptor agonists mimic the effects of THC and anandamide by interacting with the CB1 receptor in the brain. Several research studies have shown that some synthetic compounds bind more strongly to this receptor than THC as measured by the affinity constant Ki. All of the cannabinoids found in smoking mixtures have, like THC (Ki = 10.2nM), high affinity to the CB1receptor although small variations in Ki values occur between different publications. The substance HU-210 has a particularly low value of Ki (0.06nM), and it binds over 100 times more tightly to the CB1 receptor than THC.

However, little is known about the detailed pharmacology and toxicology of the synthetic cannabinoids and few formal human studies have been published. It is possible that, apart from high potency, some cannabinoids could have particularly long half-lives potentially leading to a prolonged psychoactive effect. In addition, there could be considerable inter-and intra-batch variability in smoking mixtures, both in terms of substances present and their quantity. Thus, there is a higher potential for overdose than with cannabis.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor who has been in the frontline fighting drug addiction. He runs a website that equips readers of better ways to overcome not only drug addiction but also serious health problems that have caused nightmares to the world population. Get in touch with her today and learn more.

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

Marijuana Smoker’s Processing Emotional Information In The Amygdala

September 19, 2014

Marijuana Smokers Process Emotional Information Differently In The Amygdala

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It contains the psychoactive which results in mind-altering chemical called the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and other compounds related to it. Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used all over the world especially in the United States. Its use had declined for close to a decade and then became very common as from 2007 as the effects associated with it are becoming more diminished. Marijuana is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints or smoked in blunts-cigars that have been emptied off tobacco. The smoke has a pungent smell usually sweet-and-sour, odor. It can also be mixed in foods and drinks.

When marijuana is smoked the THC is rapidly passed from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the substance to the brain. When it is ingested in foods and drinks, this process is much slower. According to the Institute of Medicine published in Mar 1999 report titled “Marijuana and Medicine: assessing the Science Base”: the THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel euphoric (high) by acting on the brain’s reward system which consists of regions that are responsible for governing pleasurable things like sex and chocolate as well as to most drugs of abuse. THC activates this receptors of the brain by simulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine.

Marijuana

The users describe two stages of feeling high after intake of marijuana: initial simulation (giddiness and euphoria), followed by sedation and a pleasant tranquility. Their also reported altered perceptions of time and distance as well as heightened sensitivity to sights and sounds. Relaxation is also another frequently reported effect in users of marijuana. They tend to become more relaxed and there is a feeling of bliss and contentment. Their appetite is also greatly improved. After a while, this effects subsidized and the user may feel sleepy or depressed. On rare occasions, marijuana use may produce anxiety, fear, distrust or panic. Users may get very paranoid and anxious until the euphoria reduces.

Marijuana also affects brain development, and when it is used heavily by young people, its effects on their memory and thinking capacity may last a long time or even be permanent. According to a recent study of marijuana users, those who started using at a very young age showed greatly reduced connectivity among brain areas responsible for learning and memory. Those who started smoking heavily in their teens have lost an average of 8 points in IQ between the age 13 and 38, according to a study in New Zealand. Those who started smoking marijuana in their adulthood did not show fairly large declines in their IQ. Marijuana also impairs a person’s ability to form new memories and to shift focus. The substance THC disrupts a person’s coordination and balance by binding to the receptors in the cerebellum and basal ganglia responsible for regulating balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time.

Large intakes of marijuana makes users have acute psychosis, which is basically hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of identity. Marijuana users are very much likely to end up depressed, anxious and generally their loose the will to live and become suicidal as well as personality disturbances. One of the controversies on the same is the amotivational syndrome, defined as a diminished or absence of the drive to take part in any rewarding activity. As a result of the endocannabinoid system regulating mood, these associations make a certain amount of sense; however, this research is yet to be completed to help us better understand how marijuana use is connected to mental illness in the future. This research also shows that, individuals with one or two copies of the Val variant have a higher risk of developing schizophrenic-type disorders if they used marijuana during adolescence.

Marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with increased neurobehavioral problems in baby after birth. The baby’s endocannabinoid chemicals are mimicked by the marijuana THC and other compounds. This in result causes poor development of the endocannabinoid system in the brain of the fetus. This will in future result in poor memory, problems in attention and problem solving hence they become very slow in responding to their surrounding stimuli. THC exposure also disrupts synapses which help connect nerve cells and allow for the efficient transfer of neurotransmitters. The child is also likely to develop more psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder, and schizophrenia.

Marijuana

Marijuana use for a long time causes the brain to continually make the user crave for the same as one tends to get addicted. The development of the frontal cortex is affected and as a result affect a person’s reward system leading to prolonged addiction, and ultimately affects one’s decision making. This addicts are more likely to get impaired executive function and a proclivity to choose the easier task. This may be seen in the user taking part in criminal activities and engaging in violence.

Research has shown that heavy marijuana users tend to have more problems in their daily life or it makes their existing problems worse. They report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, more relationship problems, and they also have less academic and career success compared to non-marijuana users. They tend to drop out of school more, they are the highest number of the absentees in their places of work and also are likely to get into accidents more. They have poor coordination. Marijuana users who have become addicted should seek help in rehabilitation centers. As of late, more research is being carried out to determine more effects of marijuana in the brain. It has also been introduced in the medical field as it is given to cancer patients to increase their appetite and to reduce pain.

Marijuana smokers process emotional information differently in the amygdala

Marijuana withdrawal Definitive Symptoms

September 18, 2014

Marijuana withdrawal Definitive Symptoms Cannabis withdrawal involves at least two psychological and one physiological symptom

Marijuana withdrawal

Marijuana Cannabis withdrawal involves the experiencing of at least two psychological and one physiological symptom after ceasing heavy and prolonged use of marijuana. Some psychological symptoms are being Irritable, Anxiety, Depressed mood, being Restless, insomnia, reduced appetite and weight loss. Physical symptoms include abdominal pain, shaking, fever and headaches. These withdrawal symptoms cause a person to be distressed and interference with school, work, or any other daily responsibilities. Many cannabis users agree that withdrawal symptoms make it difficult for them to quit or have contributed to relapse. Most symptoms normally begin within the first 24–72 hours of cessation, peaking within the first week, and lasting approximately 1–2 weeks. Sleep difficulties may last more than 30 days. However, Withdrawal tends to be more common and severe among adults, mostly because of the more persistent and greater frequency and quantity of use among adults.

Marijuana screening

A lawful and effective detection for cannabis can take lots of time, and tests cannot define an exact degree of impairment. Nevertheless, The focusses obtained from such analyses be helpful in differentiating between active use from passive publicity, time since use, and the degree or period of use. The Duquenois-Levine test is normally used as a screening test in the field, but it cannot confirm the existence of cannabis, as a large variety of substances have been shown to provide false positives. The Duquenois–Levine test is a modest chemical color reaction test originally established in the 1930s by Pierre Duquénois. these tests involve a police officer breaking the seal of a tiny micropipette of chemicals, and placing an element of the assumed substance; should the chemicals turn purple, this shows the prospect of marijuana. The color variations can however be subtle, and readings can also vary by the surveyor.

Cows Score Withdrawal(Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale)

Marijuana intake before and during treatment decreased the patients score on the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) According to the Thomas Jefferson University study .This measure is used to accurately define withdrawal symptoms in opiate-dependent patients. The lesser scores specify that cannabis plays a part in decreasing the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.

DSM-V Criteria And Its Relevance In Marijuana Dependency

(DSM-V) also known as Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is used to eradicate the disease kinds for substance abuse and dependence and swaps it with a new “addictions and related disorders”

Eradicating the kind of dependence helps in better distinguishing between the compulsive drug-seeking behavior of addiction and ordinary responses of tolerance and withdrawal that some patients experience when using prescribed treatments that affect the central nervous system, Also new to the DSM-V are diagnostic criteria for “cannabis withdrawal,”. Outcomes in “clinically important distress or impairment in social or any other essential areas of working,” and is characterized by at least three of these symptoms: anger, aggression, irritability, anxiety or nervousness; insomnia, decreased appetite or weight loss; restlessness, sweating, fever, chills, and headache.

Screening

Quantity and frequency of joints per day

There is no known comparable portion of cannabis consumption, possibly due to encounters such as varied joint size, tetra hydro cannabinol content, and ways of delivery Cannabis-related problems, measured by smoking, the alcohol and Substance Connection Screening Test, were foreseen from cannabis use frequency and quantity controlling for gender and age. This sample included 665 participants between the age of 15-67. Cannabis use occurrence and quantity were clearly linked with cannabis-related difficulties. People who smoked cannabis daily were at the highest risk of problems. Controlling for occurrence, the effect of quantity remained important for disappointment to do what is expected due to cannabis use. Research advises that quantity, above and beyond frequency, is a vital predictor of cannabis problems

Urine THC can last weeks after stopping

Cannabis use can often be detected up to 5 days after exposure for people who don’t use it often but up to 15 days for people who use it heavily. People with high body fat can last up to 30 days^[, an occasional or on-off user would be very unlikely to test positive beyond 3–4 days since the last use and a chronic user would be unlikely to test positive much beyond 7 days. The maximum likely times are 7 days and 21 days, in that order. In extraordinary circumstances of extended marijuana use, detection times of more than 30 days are possible in some individuals. Nevertheless, one needs to remember that every person is different, and exposure times can vary due to other factors. Cases^]Common known pharmaceutical drugs which cause false positives in instant THC dip tests include: Ibuprofen, Dronabinol, ketoprofen e.t.c

“Spice” can be wide variety of substance

The word ”Spice” refers to a extensive variety of herbal mixtures that produce know-hows comparable to marijuana (cannabis) and that are labelled as “safe,” legal alternatives to that drug. Usually dispensed or sold under several names, including K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, among others — and also usually labeled “not fit for human consumption” — these products usually comprise of some dried, shredded plant material and chemical spices that are accountable and responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) Labels on Spice products often claim that they contain “natural” psycho-active material taken from a variety of plants. Spice products do contain dried plant material, but chemical analyses show that their active ingredients are synthetic (or designer) cannabinoid compounds. Another selling point is that the chemicals used in Spice are not easily detected in standard drug tests.

Marijuana withdrawal Definitive Symptoms Cannabis withdrawal involves at least two psychological and one physiological symptom

Tag Archives: Tetrahydrocannabinol