Understanding Marijuana
Marijuana abuse is widespread amongst youth, but to understand marijuana we must first understand what it is and what it does to the brain.
What Does Marijuana Do?
Marijuana is a drug that has an active component called THC. This component acts on a part of the brain that is full of cannabinoid receptors. Some parts of the brain do not have any of these receptors, but the areas which are mostly affected by THC have quite a few of them, which leads users to experience the intense pleasurable sensation that comes with smoking cannabis. It is the most widely abused drug in the United States and it is currently classified as Schedule 1, which means it is illegal to possess, manufacture, distribute or use.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
Marijuana abuse can lead to addiction. Cannabis does not produce physical addiction but it may produce psychological addiction in which an individual may see his or her life affected by their drug use. Addiction to marijuana can affect an user psychologically, emotionally, physically and economically. When the user feels unable to function without the drug then he or she has become addicted to the drug. Marijuana abusers that quit suddenly experience withdrawal symptoms that peak after a few days of no use and can last for a few weeks after the user stops taking the drug.
What Are The Effects of Marijuana Abuse?
In the long term, marijuana buse can cause cognitive problems and may cause psychological problems. In young marijuana smokers, it may cause the onset of schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders. Whether marijuana causes these or is a trigger for those that genetically carry them is a widely debated topic in the medical community.
Some of the side effects include dry mouth, increased heart rate, a sensation of coldness in the extremities and may cause headaches and nausea. Marijuana use and abuse can also cause great problems in interpersonal relationships: many users report problems with close friends and family members like parents, spouses and children.
Other serious symptoms may include panic, anxiety, dizziness, light-headedness, lethargy, hallucinations and in some extreme cases in which the user might already have a history of mental health problems, it may cause psychopathy. Additionally, marijuana may be taken with other drugs which can be dangerous since the body will not know how to react.
What Is Marijuana Withdrawal?
Although unlike many drugs marijuana does not cause extreme physical withdrawal symptoms, it does cause psychological symptoms that can affect an user's decision of quitting. It may cause irritability, feelings of sadness and depression and insomnia. This is because THC usually produces a reaction in the user's brain that makes him or her want to sleep. When that is removed, the user might be unable to sleep or have completely disturbed sleeping patterns. Quitting marijuana may also cause anxiety and frequent headaches.
Many marijuana users self-medicate with the drug. It is important that when you decide to leave it, you do it under the guidance of mental health professionals and medical staff that specialize in addiction.