Many people believe that marijuana is a safe drug. Many adults smoke it or ingest an edible form of it on a regular basis without giving it much thought. However, there are some dangerous effects of marijuana to consider, in addition to the fact that it can be a gateway drug, leading to the use of other illicit drugs.
It’s seen as a harmless drug, despite being considered as a Schedule I drug, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It’s true that some men and women who have used the drug for many years never experience any serious consequences.
Yet, marijuana has been associated with crime, drinking, and addictions to other substances. The DEA also lists marijuana as the fourth most abused drug in the United States behind opiates, nicotine, and alcohol.
The Dangers Of Marijuana
The main ingredient in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is often smoked or ingested by eating foods that have marijuana mixed into it. It distributes itself to all organs of the body and is mostly metabolized by the liver.
Marijuana stays in the physical system for up to 56 hours.
Marijuana comes from the hemp plant which grows wild around the world. The first reference to marijuana was in 2737 B.C. when the Emperor Shen Nung of China introduced it to his people, teaching that the plant had medicinal effects. Marijuana was introduced to Western Europe in 500 B.C.
Certainly, marijuana is not as damaging as other drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin. Yet, marijuana use can cause adrenal weakness, hypoglycemia, fatigue, lethargy, and loss of motivation in life. Furthermore, marijuana, and other drugs, will mimic a neurotransmitter and in a way “fool” its receptor.
Marijuana will lock onto the receptors and activate the nerve cells. Because marijuana is not the neurotransmitter that was intended for that receptor, the neurons end up sending abnormal messages throughout the brain. Of course, this leads to hallucination, abnormal thoughts, and change in perception.
One interesting point about the drug is that some people might be drawn to it if they have a harsh inner critic. It is sometimes referred to as having an oppressive ego structure. However, whatever you call it, when there is a part of the self that is frequently judgmental, critical, and negative, marijuana seems to be a drug of choice.
It seems to soften this part of the self, making it easier to be who one is. However, the transformation is actually illusory and instead might create a dependence on marijuana for feeling at ease with oneself.
Significant Highlights of Research
S- Regular cannabis users can develop a dependence syndrome, the risks of which are around 1 in 10 of all cannabis users and 1 in 6 among those who start in adolescence.
- Regular cannabis users double their risks of experiencing psychotic symptoms and disorders, especially if they have a personal or family history of psychotic disorders, and if they start using cannabis in their mid-teens.
- Regular cannabis use that begins in adolescence and continues throughout young adulthood appears to produce intellectual impairment, but the mechanism and reversibility of the impairment is unclear.
- Regular cannabis smokers have a higher risk of developing chronic bronchitis.
- Cannabis smoking by middle aged adults probably increases the risk of myocardial infarction.
Finding Addiction Help
Finding addiction help from a marijuana dependency is possible. There are drug treatment centers that facilitate the freedom from an addiction to marijuana. Despite its reputation for being a safe and harmless drug, marijuana does in fact lead to addiction and can create the same destructive lifestyle that comes with any addiction.
Finding addiction help is necessary in order to break the addiction cycle. Marijuana might be harmless to start but over time, an addiction can sink its roots into life, creating dysfunction and loss.
Addiction help is often the only way to cut those roots once the cycle of addiction begins.
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