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The recent legalization of Marijuana in Canada has placed marijuana in the spotlight, and what many people do not realize is that marijuana can become addictive, and for those who want help, Drug Rehab Services is there. Like any other substance, marijuana can be abused, and it is important to know there is help, and there are people who understand this, and can help them become connected with others who can help them through the problem. There are people available who can speak with you, and help you find the right treatment option, whether it is an outpatient center, counseling or therapy, or residential treatment. Do not let an addiction go un-treated, simply because it involves marijuana, contact Drug Rehab Services for help.
Cannabis is a plant; and there are a couple of different types of the cannabis plant, along with hybrid plants that people grow. Marijuana comes from the drying of the flowers, leaves, stems, fruiting tops, and seeds from the plant. The primary psychoactive component in Marijuana is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, and this is the chemical that causes the euphoric effects, and why the drug is used recreationally. Marijuana, next to alcohol, is the most widely used drug in Canada, and there are diverse age groups of people who use this drug. With recent legalization of marijuana, it is illegal for minors or teens to use, purchase or sell the drug, and the legal age will either be 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory. The use of marijuana with large amounts of THC in it, will cause negative short-term and long-term effects, and marijuana can become addictive, especially with the daily heavy use of the drug. Addicts will typically always incorporate marijuana as a drug of choice, because it is inexpensive and will mellow an addict out.
An addiction to marijuana can be effectively treated, and most people who have a problem with marijuana will tend to seek outpatient treatment, counseling or therapy. Drug Rehab Services can provide the necessary resources and help to ensure an addict or a family can locate suitable treatment programs.
Marijuana and Food-Related Behaviors and Disorders
Eating disorders and overeating are a common problem for many people, and it is very common where marijuana is part of the overall equation. An eating disorder is defined as a mental health issue and overeating can happen to anyone under a variety of different circumstances. However, it has been confirmed that the THC in marijuana does stimulate an appetite, which is why marijuana users tend to eat immediately after smoking marijuana. What is interesting about this is that marijuana is being used to treat eating disorders, because it will lessen the anxiety that a person has around food, because eating disorders is often associated with anxiety disorders, nevertheless; there are still much research and discussion around this. There are some that believe overeating caused by marijuana leads to binge eating disorders, but some research does show the reverse may be true. There is much research that does show overeating, and binge eating among youth will lead to the use of marijuana. Binge eating among young adults does obviously cause significant health problems that can bring about obesity, heart disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety, and these symptoms are directly connected to substance use with marijuana to cope with the problems. Overall if someone feels there eating habits is becoming a problem, it is best to speak with a doctor, and if someone feels their marijuana use has caused an eating problem, it is also optimal to speak with a doctor.
Marijuana and its Effects on Testosterone
The THC that is found in certain strains of cannabis does affect a variety of different hormones that are regulated by hypothalamic functions in the hypothalamus in the brain. When looking at marijuana and testosterone, there have been numerous studies done surrounding the arguments about whether it lowers or increases testosterone, however; there have been no conclusive studies or evidence proving either and the consensus is that cannabis and testosterone do not have a ‘bad relationship’, but these studies are on-going. Normal testosterone levels range very widely, and the amount of testosterone running through a person’s veins fluctuates rapidly based on a number of factors. For example, the time of day, whether a person has just eaten, if they have worked out, how much sleep they get etc. Out of all the studies that have been done with short-term and long-term or heavy and casual marijuana use, testosterone levels were shown to increase or decrease. Cannabis is an unpredictable drug because of the varying amounts of chemicals that the plant produces. Each person using cannabis will experience something different, and in this case with testosterone, smoking marijuana may decrease testosterone on the short term, or may increase it, but the levels of testosterone will go back to normal within 24 to 48 hours.
Marijuana and the Neurotransmitters in the Brain
Neurons are cells that process information in the brain, and chemicals called neurotransmitters allow neurons to communicate with each other. What neurotransmitters will do is fill the gap or synapse between two neurons and bind the protein receptors, which does allow various functions in the brain and body to be turned on or off. Foreign chemicals such as THC, which is one chemical found in commonly used recreational cannabis strains will mimic or block actions of neurotransmitters and interfere with normal functions. The brain already has groups of cannabinoid receptors, which affect mental and physical activities, and these receptors are activated by anandamide, which THC mimics and activates neurons that cause certain effects physically and mentally. Dopamine neurons, for example, do not have any cannabinoid receptors, but marijuana does cause an increase in dopamine in an indirect way making the user temporarily feel good. Cannabinoids in marijuana do not act on dopamine neurons directly, but do act on the endocannabinoid system within the brain, and cannabinoid receptors are found in many areas of the brain that have dopamine neurons. Marijuana activates CB1 receptors on GABA neurons, which do have cannabinoid receptors, but essentially inactivates them, causing the dopamine neurons to become disinhibited and more active. Overall, cannabis with THC in it will make someone temporarily feel good and do modify the neurotransmitters in the brain making them feel happy.
Marijuana Causes Anxiety Forcing People to Smoke More
One of the primary psychoactive ingredients in marijuana is delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC and this chemical do act differently with everyone who uses it, and the current mental state of the person using marijuana will have a role with how someone responds to the drug. Because marijuana does cause perceptual changes, it can cause a person to become agitated or anxious. THC will produce euphoria, relaxation, perceptual alterations, time distortion, and the intensification of ordinary sensory experiences, thus leading some individuals to experience anxiety and be agitated. One of the most common side effects from occasional marijuana use is anxiety and panic reactions. Many studies surrounding the chronic use of marijuana show it will increase the risk for developing depression and anxiety, particularly the interaction between marijuana and dopamine levels, and marijuana use among young people. THC in recreational marijuana is a powerful psychoactive chemical, and there are direct links with this chemical causing anxiety, and because medicinal marijuana is available to treat anxiety many people suffering from anxiety smoke marijuana. However, curative marijuana is designed to have higher concentrations of CBD or cannabidiol, which another cannabinoid, but not necessarily psychoactive, but if someone who is worrisome because of the marijuana with THC they are consuming and then uses more marijuana with THC; they will become more anxious.
Marijuana Smoke Leaves Behind Carcinogenic Toxins in the Lungs
The smoke from marijuana contains several known carcinogens, and the tar left behind contains all the chemicals that are linked to lung cancer, and a marijuana cigarette will also deposit four times as much of that tar as a tobacco cigarette, because marijuana smokers tend to hold the smoke longer in their lungs. However, despite many marijuana smokers suffering from breathing problems because of the smoke, and marijuana smoke is harmful to the lungs; many studies have not been able to place a direct link with marijuana smoke and lung cancer despite varying results. Most of the individuals who develop lung cancer and are marijuana smokers were also cigarette smokers, and some studies believe that the antitumoral effects of the cannabis plant could possibly counteract the tumor-initiating or tumor-promoting effects of the carcinogens within the smoke of cannabis. Marijuana smoke does clearly damage the human lungs and has been linked to chronic bronchitis, and the smoke from marijuana has been shown to injure the cell linings of the large airways, which leads to respiratory difficulty. The carcinogens left behind from marijuana smoked, when the dried marijuana is burned; will damage a person’s lungs and leave behind carcinogenic toxins.
Marijuana Use and Motivation
The question has been asked many times, does using marijuana increase or decreases a person’s motivation, and unfortunately; no exact answer can be given. Motivation is simply having a strong reason to act or accomplish something or providing a reason to act in a certain way. There are many studies that provide information about dopamine and motivation, as dopamine is released when human beings are doing things that make them feel good, and the dopamine reward system is directly connected to learning and memory. Many people believe there is a strong link between the brain’s reward pathways and those that respond to marijuana, because THC does activate the CB1 receptors causing a rise in dopamine, possibly causing someone to become briefly motivated, until the high diminishes as it is only temporary. There is also much research that revolves around long-term and short-term cannabis users as it relates to dopamine levels in the brain. Many older studies, and current ones talk about Amotivational Syndrome, which describes the loss of the drive to work, socialize, and attain success. Some other studies link lack of motivation in marijuana users who started using in childhood, and whom also developed mental-health problems because of the early childhood marijuana use. Unfortunately, all the studies that are typically done are observational, and overall, cannabis use will impact each person differently depending on a variety of underlying physical or mental circumstances connected to the person, and the strains of marijuana being consumed.
