What does marijuana cause in those who use it; and why is there a veto in many countries?

Modified on: 19/04/2024

WHAT IS THE BEHAVIOUR OF SMOKERS AND WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF CANNABIS?

Marijuana is a so-called “soft drug” that is produced by drying cannabis flowers, apparently identical to the legal cannabis that you can buy online in our CBD shop, but with very different effects.

It is a natural substance whose first uses date back hundreds of thousands of years, but which has been demonised throughout the world because of its effects on the human psyche.

These effects are given by the action of cannabinoids, in particular THC. But what does marijuana cause to those who use it? Is cannabis dangerous as prohibitionists say, or does it have beneficial properties as those who use it say?

In this article, you will find out absolutely everything about the health effects of cannabis. You will learn what cannabinoids are, how a smoker affects those around him, and what the short and long-term harms of cannabis are.

We will also tell you about the CBD cannabis you find on JustBob and how it differs from marijuana with a high THC content.

Effects of cannabis: what are the short-term effects?

The marijuana flower – and also other parts of it, such as the leaves – contain hundreds of active ingredients called cannabinoids. Two of these, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. They are causing particular effects on cannabis users.

Specifically, THC has psychoactive effects (i.e. it acts on the human psyche), while CBD attenuates the action of THC and otherwise has concentrated impacts on the muscular level.

The behaviour of those who smoke joints, use the bong/pipe or take marijuana through food products (cakes, biscuits, etc.), is often euphoric … But the effects of cannabis are numerous and are not limited to euphoria.

THC causes the following acute effects on the psyche:

• euphoria
• snacking (sudden and uncontrollable urge to eat)
• great creativity
• alteration of space and time
• tachycardia (or, in any case, increased heart rate)
• confusion
• mood swings
• redness of the eyes
• dry mouth (dry mouth)
• disinhibition
• slowing down of motor skills
• sharpening of the 5 senses
• memory impairment
• aggravation of any existing psychotic symptoms

Wondering how long the effect of the joint lasts? Usually 3 to 5 hours, but it depends on specific factors (such as the amount is taken, frequency and metabolism of the user).

However, CBD does have the following effects:

• THC effects’ attenuation (most probably, different types of marijuana have different outcomes because of the different concentrations of THC and CBD. Often weed with large amounts of CBD has bodily rather than psychic effects due to the antipsychotic effect of CBD).
• antioxidant
• pain relief
• antiemetic (neutralises nausea and vomiting)
• immuno-modulator
• antispasmodic
• relaxing
• hypotension
• anti-inflammatory

As you can see, the effects of CBD are beneficial to our bodies and, not surprisingly, many medicines based on this active ingredient of cannabis are currently being tested.

However, THC-rich marijuana – not CBD buds – does have long-term effects that need to be taken into account before taking it. Let’s see what they are.

Read also: Marijuana and the elderly: an encouraging progress in the United States.

The long-term effects of using high THC cannabis: what does marijuana cause in long-term users?

It appears that frequent cannabis users and those who use cannabis heavily during adolescence may develop the following long-term symptoms as a result of the action of THC :

• demotivational syndrome (characterised by apathy, social isolation and indifference to the surrounding world)
• nerve damage, such as
• premature cognitive impairment
• psychosis or schizophrenia in predisposed persons
• Cardiac arrhythmias and other problems of the cardiovascular system

These are the main long-term side effects of the use of “traditional” marijuana, i.e. marijuana rich in THC. However, studies have found no long-term effects on the action of CBD.

Is marijuana hazardous?

It has to be said that cannabis can put users at risk.

Slowed motor skills, for example (and therefore also reflexes) and spatio-temporal impairment can seriously endanger those who drive under the influence of marijuana. It also happens under the influence of hashish for those who may be involved in driving.

The disinhibitory effect could instead lead those who use marijuana to adopt promiscuous behaviour, or even dangerous for their health.

Also, the long-term effects of chronic THC intake must be taken into account. Although they are not found in 100% of cases, they still compromise the health of those who suffer from them.

As you may know, the effects of CBD weed are by no means comparable to those of high THC herbs.

What is legal cannabis, and why is it different from illegal marijuana in Switzerland?

Legal cannabis, also known as legal CBD flowers / CBD cannabis, is, in fact, a variety of Cannabis sativa genetically modified to contain very low percentages of THC (that sold in Switzerland must have less than 1% THC).

On the contrary, the quantities of CBD can be high because it is a substance that is not dangerous for humans, whose only effects are bodily and beneficial.

Those who decide to take legal marijuana do not suffer the effects of THC but only those of CBD. Therefore, users have to be careful about the methods of intake (for example, the joints are harmful to the human body due to combustion) but, in general, they are not at risk.

Only the hypotensive effect could be disadvantageous for people with low blood pressure. Pregnant women should not take legal cannabis or legal hash either, as the effects on the foetus are unknown and could be harmful.

Read also: Cannabis strains and effects: Dr Ethan Russo’s research.

Conclusions

You now know all the effects of legal marijuana and the difference between “traditional” and legal cannabis that you find at JustBob.

CBD hashish and CBD oil have the same effects as legal hemp; unsurprisingly, they are among the best-selling products not only in Italy but all over Europe.

What are you waiting for? Buy CBD in our CBD online shop and tell us what you think!