The effects of cannabis are caused by chemical compounds in the plant, including cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is just one of more than 100 cannabinoids present in the plant. Marijuana has various psychological and physiological effects on the human body.
Different plants of the genus Cannabis contain different and often unpredictable THC and cannabinoids concentrations and hundreds of other molecules that have pharmacological effects, so the final net effect is unpredictable.
The acute effects of being under the influence may include euphoria and anxiety. Cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabinoid found in cannabis in varying amounts, has been shown to reduce the adverse effects of THC experienced by some consumers. When ingested orally, THC can produce a stronger psychotropic effect than when inhaled. At doses exceeding the psychotropic threshold, users may experience adverse side effects such as anxiety and panic attacks that can result in increased heart rate and blood pressure changes.
Research on the medical benefits of marijuana has been obstructed by US federal law. Smoking any substance will carry the same risk as tobacco smoking because of carcinogens in all the smoke, and the final conclusion on these factors is debatable.
Disorders of cannabis use are defined as medical diagnoses in the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5).
Video Effects of cannabis
Efficacies
Cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors
The most common psychoactive substances in cannabis are cannabinoids, especially THC. Some varieties, after a careful selection and growing technique, can produce as much as 29% THC. Another psychoactive cannabinoid present in Cannabis sativa is tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), but is found only in small amounts and is a cannabinoid antagonist.
There are also similar compounds contained in cannabis that do not exhibit psychoactive responses but are mandatory for functionality: cannabidiol (CBD), an isomer of THC; cannabivarin (CBV), analogue cannabinol (CBN) with different side chains, cannabidivarin (CBDV), CBD analogs with different side chains, and cannabinolic acid. How these other compounds interact with THC is not fully understood. Several clinical studies have suggested that CBD acts as a counterweight force to regulate THC psychoactive agent strength. The CBD is also believed to regulate THC body metabolism by inactivating cytochrome P450, an important class of enzymes that metabolize drugs. Experiments in which mice treated with CBD followed by THC showed that CBD treatment was associated with a substantial increase in THC brain concentrations and its major metabolites, most likely due to a decrease in the THC clearance rate from the body. The cannabis cofactor compound has also been linked to lower body temperature, modulate immune function, and cell protection. The essential oil of marijuana contains many terpenoids that can synergize with cannabinoids to produce their unique effects. THC is rapidly converted to 11-hydroxy-THC, which is also pharmacologically active, so its drug effects exceed THC levels measured in the blood.
THC and cannabidiol are also neuroprotective antioxidants. Studies in mice have shown that THC prevents oxidative damage induced by hydroperoxide as well as or better than other antioxidants in chemical systems (Fenton reactions) and neuronal cultures. Cannabidiol is significantly more protective than vitamin E or vitamin C.
The cannabinoid receptors are distinctive members of the largest known receptor family called the protein-coupled G protein. The signatures of this type of receptor are different patterns of how the receptor molecule stretches the cell membrane seven times. The location of the cannabinoid receptors is in the cell membrane, and both outside (extracellular) and inside (intracellular) cell membranes. The CB1 receptor, which is bigger than both, is amazingly abundant in the brain: 10 times more than the -opioid receptor, the receptor responsible for the effects of morphine. The CB2 receptor is structurally different (the similarity sequence between the two receptor subtypes is 44%), found only in immune system cells, and appears to function similarly to its CB1 counterpart. CB2 receptors are most common in B cells, natural killer cells, and monocytes, but can also be found in polymorphonuclear neutrophil cells, T8 cells, and T4 cells. In the tonsils of CB2 receptors appear to be confined to the enriched B-lymphocyte region.
THC and its endogenous anandamide also interact with glycine receptors.
Biochemical mechanisms in the brain
Cannabinoids typically contain 1.1'-di-methyl-pyran rings, varying derivative aromatic rings and varied unsaturated cyclohexyl rings and their direct chemical precursors, are a family of about 60 bi-cyclic and tri-cyclic compounds. Like most other neurological processes, the effects of cannabis on the brain follow the standard protocol of signal transduction, electrochemical systems of sending signals through neurons for biological responses. It is now understood that cannabinoid receptors appear in similar forms in most vertebrates and invertebrates and have a long evolutionary history of 500 million years. The binding of cannabinoids to the cannabinoid receptors decreases the activity of adenylyl cyclase, inhibits the calcium N channel, and removes the channel K A . There are at least two types of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
The CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain and mediate the psychological effects of THC. CB2 receptors are most commonly found in immune system cells. Cannabinoids act as immunomodulators at CB2 receptors, which means they increase some immune responses and reduce others. For example, nonpsychotropic cannabinoids can be used as highly effective anti-inflammatory agents. The affinity of kanabinoid to bind both receptors is almost the same, with only a slight increase observed with CBD-derived compounds from plants that bind to CB2 receptors more frequently. Cannabinoids may have a role in brain control of movement and memory, as well as modulation of natural pain. It is clear that cannabinoids can affect the transmission of pain and, in particular, cannabinoids that interact with endogenous brain opioid systems and may affect the transmission of dopamine.
Sustainability in body
Most cannabinoids are lipophilic compounds (fat soluble) easily stored in fat, resulting in long elimination half-life relative to other recreational drugs. THC molecules, and related compounds, are usually detected in drug tests from 3 days to 10 days according to Redwood Laboratories; long-term users can produce positive tests for two to three months after stopping marijuana use (see drug test).
Maps Effects of cannabis
Toxicities
Associated with cannabinoids
No fatal overdose with cannabis use has been reported in 2006. A review published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in February 2008 says that "no direct deaths due to acute use of kanabis have been reported".
THC, the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis plants, has very low toxicity and the amount that can enter the body through the consumption of cannabis plants does not pose a threat of death. In dogs, the lethal minimum thc dose is more than 3 g/kg.
According to Merck Index, LD 50 of THC (dose causing 50% mortality from individuals) is 1270 mg/kg for male rats and 730 mg/kg for mice females of oral consumption in sesame oil, and 42 mg/kg for inhaled mice.
The ratio of cannabis needed to produce a fatal overdose with the amount required to saturate cannabinoid receptors and cause poisoning is around 40.000: 1.
It is important to note that the cannabinoids and other molecules present in cannabis can alter the metabolism of other drugs, especially because of the competition to clear metabolic pathways such as CYP450 cytochrome, thus causing drug toxicity by drugs that people consuming marijuana may take.
Related to smoking
A 2007 study found that although tobacco smoke and marijuana are very similar, cannabis smoke contains higher amounts of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and nitrogen oxide, but lower levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The study found that directly inhaled smoke contains 20 times as much ammonia and 5 times as much hydrogen cyanide as tobacco smoke and compares mainstream and sidestream properties (smoke emitted from the burning 'joints' or 'cones' ) smoking. Mainstream marijuana smoke is found to contain higher concentrations of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than sidestream tobacco smoke. However, other studies have found far lower differences in ammonia and hydrogen cyanide between cannabis and tobacco, and that some other constituents (such as polonium-210, lead, arsenic, nicotine, and specific tobacco nitrosamines) are either lower or absent in marijuana smoke.
Marijuan smoke contains thousands of organic and inorganic chemicals. This tar is chemically similar to that found in tobacco smoke or cigars. More than fifty known carcinogens have been identified in cannabis smoke. These include nitrosamines, reactive aldehydes, and polyclic hydrocarbons, including benz [a] pyrene. Marijuana smoke was listed as a cancer agent in California in 2009. A study by the British Lung Foundation published in 2012 identified cannabis smoke as a carcinogen and also found an awareness of low hazards compared to a high awareness of the dangers of tobacco cigarettes in particular. among younger users. Other observations include the possibility of an increased risk of each cigarette; lack of research on the effects of cannabis smoke alone; low addiction rate compared to tobacco; and the nature of episodic marijuana use compared to the prevalent smoking habit. Professor David Nutt, a British pharmacist, pointed out that the study cited by the British Lung Foundation has been accused of being "the wrong reason" and "incorrect methodology". Furthermore, he notes that other studies have failed to connect marijuana with lung cancer, and accused BLF of "embezzling marijuana".
Short-term effects
When smoking, short-term effects of marijuana manifest in seconds and are apparent within minutes, usually lasting 1-3 hours, varying by the person and strain of marijuana. After oral administration of marijuana, the onset of delayed effects relative to smoking, taking 30 minutes to 2 hours, but prolonged duration due to continued slow absorption. The observed effect duration has been observed to be reduced due to prolonged and repeated use and development of tolerance to cannabinoids.
Psychological effects
The psychoactive effects of cannabis, known as "high", are subjective and may vary based on the person and method of use.
When THC enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors. The endogenous ligand of this receptor is anandamide, a THC imitating effect. This cannabinoid receptor agonist produces changes at the level of various neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and norepinephrine; neurotransmitters are closely related to the acute effects of cannabis consumption, such as euphoria and anxiety. Some effects may include general changes of conscious perception, euphoria, feelings of well-being, relaxation or stress reduction, increased appreciation of art, including humor and music (especially differentiating different components/instruments), cheerful, metacognition and introspection, enhanced memory (episodic memory) , increased sensuality, increased awareness of sensation, increased libido, and creativity. Abstract or philosophical thought, linear memory disorder and paranoia or anxiety are also typical. Anxiety is the most commonly reported smoking side effect. Between 20 and 30 percent of recreational users experience intense anxiety and/or panic attacks after smoking marijuana, however, some report anxiety only after not smoking cannabis for long periods of time. Experience and usage in unfamiliar surroundings is a major factor contributing to this anxiety. Cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabinoid found in cannabis in varying amounts, has been shown to improve the adverse effects of THC, including anxiety, which some consumers experience.
Cannabis also produces many subjective and highly visible effects, such as greater enjoyment of food flavor and aroma, increased musical and comedic pleasure, and marked distortions in perceptions of time and space (where experiencing a "rush" of ideas from long-term memory banks can creating a subjective impression of a long time gone by, while in reality only a short time has passed). At higher doses, effects may include changes in body image, auditory and/or visual illusions, pseudohalucination, and ataxia from selective polysynaptic reflective disorders. In some cases, cannabis can cause dissociative states such as depersonalization and derealization.
Each episode of acute psychosis that accompanies the use of marijuana usually subsides after 6 hours, but in rare cases, heavy users may find symptoms that persist for several days. If the episode is accompanied by aggression or sedation, physical control may be necessary.
While many psychoactive drugs clearly fall into the categories of either stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens, marijuana exhibits a mixture of all traits, perhaps most geared toward hallucinogenic or psychedelic properties, although with other effects quite self-explanatory as well. THC is usually considered to be the main active component of cannabis plants; various scientific studies have shown that certain other cannabinoids such as CBD can also play an important role in their psychoactive effects.
Somatic effects
Some of the short-term physical effects of cannabis use include increased heart rate, dry mouth, redness of the eyes (conjunctival vascular congestion), decreased intra-ocular pressure, muscle relaxation and cold or hot hand sensation. and feet and/or face flushed.
Electroencephalography or EEG shows a rather persistent alpha wave with a slightly lower frequency than usual. Cannabinoids produce "signs of depression of motor activity" through activation of neuronal cannabinoid receptors belonging to the CB1 subtype.
Duration
The peak level of cannabis-related intoxication occurs about 30 minutes after sucking and lasts for several hours.