Marijuana Dependence

December 31st, 2009

Marijuana, probably the world’s oldest psychoactive plant known to humanity, is a dry, shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves derived from the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. This psychoactive plant contains the. This is the one responsible for the “high” feeling when taking marijuana. The “bud” of the plant contains the higher levels of THC.

This substance is commonly smoked in a pipe. It could also be smoked in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco leaf used to wrap the cigar. This makes the marijuana more potent because it is being combined. Marijuana can also be mixed in food. When marijuana is smoked, it goes rapidly into the blood through the lungs and then to the brain. The “high” sense is felt within a few minutes and could last up to five hours. When marijuana is consumed, it is absorbed gradually for the reason that it has to the pass the stomach and intestine for digestion. The changing feeling could take up an hour but would last longer, for about twelve hours.

How does THC works in the brain? It actually attaches on a specific site in the brain known as the cannabinoid receptor which influences the activities of the nerve cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have a small number of or none. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence enjoyment, memory, contemplation, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Cannabinoid receptors are mostly concentrated in the hypothalamus, amygdale, spinal cord, brain stem, central gray, and nucleus of the solitary tract. These areas in the brain are most likely affected with THC, thus causing a dysfunction in behaviors related to these areas. THC triggers the reward system of the brain which causes the release of dopamine, which in turn is responsible for the “high” feeling.

The continued use of marijuana makes the body to become dependent of the substance. Just like any other abused drugs, marijuana could cause withdrawal symptoms when usage is ended. When the body tolerates the substance, higher doses is required, and in turn, causing more damage in the person’s life. In order to avoid withdrawal symptoms, the person would find ways for continuous use of the drug. This behavior, then, translates to marijuana dependence. Marijuana is considered as both mentally and emotionally addictive. Users believe that they need to take marijuana to live normally and to have fun.

Overtime, marijuana could change the person socially, emotionally, physically, and even psychologically. One would lack the interest in doing any mundane activities. The abuser would then stay away from their friends who do not use marijuana and settle to those who use the substance. It is rooted in their minds that they could not do things without being stoned of smoking marijuana first. They think that smoking marijuana could solve all their problems. Furthermore, as indicated by how the brain is affected with marijuana, memory and cognition is very much affected. Studies have made known that intense users have trouble sustaining attention, changing attention to meet the demands of the changes in the environment, and in registering, processing, and using information. It has been recommended that the bigger destruction among heavy users is likely due to an adjustment of brain activity produced by marijuana. Furthermore, smoking marijuana could lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue and other respiratory problems.

The plant marijuana has the capability to make you an addict or not. For people with dependency tendency, then yes, marijuana could be addictive. However, there are people who disagree that they can take or leave it and have quit for a long period of time. Well, probably, in their case, the answer is no.

Marijuana can be beneficial but once abused can give off more harm than good which translates one to call for help.

Share and Enjoy: