Weed is commonly known as marijuana and it is derived from the leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the plant known as Cannabis. Scientifically, the plant is known as Cannabis Indica. Weed is considered as a potent addictive substance because it has the chemical compound in them intact known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can cause hallucination by mind altering properties.
As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is listed as illicit drug in the drug rehab directory of the United States. However, the nine states along with Washington DC have legalized the usage of marijuana for medical purpose. Most of the States have yet not considered it for medical purpose.
You will be surprised to know that THC has shown promising results in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. Users have notified that they have experienced less urge to vomit and are more active throughout the day. Additionally, it also helps in reducing the damage of the central nervous system and any other neuropathy conditions in HIV patients.
Is it true that weed is an addictive?
As per the medical reports, 30 percent of marijuana users have experienced neurological and mental disorders upon using it. Moreover, abusing it can also lead to loss of life. As per the reports, 30 – 40 percent of weed users have developed dependency as a form of addiction from their first usage itself. This substance abuse disorder starts early and gradually.
First the users become dependent to the feel-good factor that the person experiences after having weed. Then the users become addicted to it and will experience difficult withdrawal symptoms if not stopped. This happens because the THC compound interferes with the brain and drastically slows down the production of endocannabinoid.
This in turn results in irritability, mood fluctuations, sleeping disorders, food cravings, panic attacks, restlessness, insomnia and eating disorders for several months after you have stopped taking it. This is different than usual addiction and can have behavioural altering effects on the individual.
There are few addictions where a person can sustain even, they are not taking it for a certain period of time, but this does not happen in the case of weed. This is more dangerous and using should be avoided unless for medical purposes.
Currently, alcohol and smoking cigarettes have been listed as an addiction in the Disease Control Centres of the US. However, marijuana has still not been listed because it has been pronounced illegal and having it can end you up in prison.
Side effects of smoking weed
Different strains of marijuana can have different effect on your brains depending on the THC levels of it. Additionally, there is also a risk of serious side effects depending on the percentage of the THC in the leaves.
People abusing it can experience headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, red eye, dry cough, dissociation and altered state of mind, fluctuating blood pressure and memory impairment.
In higher dosage people can also experience psychosis and bipolar disorder. In these cases a part of the brain and the central nervous system is damaged and cannot be repaired.