Most of marijuana’s psychological impacts are caused mainly by the molecule THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. One of the main psychoactive components of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol, one of at least 113 different cannabinoids found in the plant. The name THC often refers to the Delta-9-THC isomer, even though the molecular formula for THC describes many isomers. One of the most prevalent cannabinoids discovered in cannabis products is THC.
Both marijuana and hemp contain THC. Hemp has more CBD than marijuana, which has a lot more THC. One of the many substances in the marijuana plant’s glands release is THC, more commonly seen in the plant’s reproductive organ.
Specific brain regions connected to thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time perception contain a concentration of cannabinoid receptors. According to NIDA, THC binds to and activates these receptors, which alters a person’s memory, enjoyment, motions, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception. You can consume marijuana containing THC as a brownie or THC gummies. You can smoke it, vaporize it into a mist using a vaporizer, apply it to your skin as a lotion, spray, oil, or cream, or place a few drops of a liquid beneath your tongue.
Pain Reliever
Chronic pain relief is the most frequent reason for using cannabis for medical purposes. There is evidence that some people are switching from traditional painkillers like opioids to cannabis.
One cannabinoid receptor in nerve cells and another in immune cells are both activated by THC. It lessens the perception of pain when it stimulates the one in the nerve cells. Chronic pain can be effectively treated by cannabis or medications containing cannabinoids, cannabis’ active elements, or other substances that work on the same brain receptors as cannabis.
Reduce Cancer Induced Nausea And Vomiting
Oral cannabinoids are beneficial in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and some small studies have suggested that smoking cannabis may also help to reduce these symptoms.
For many years, chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting have been treated with oral THC formulations nabilone and dronabinol. According to a recent study, Dronabinol may be as effective as ondansetron for treating delayed nausea and vomiting. At the same time, no comparison to the neurokinin-1 inhibitors, which are currently more commonly prescribed, has been made. Patients in past studies stated a preference for marijuana over competing medications. There are numerous anecdotal reports of the benefits of the cannabis plant, either inhaled or consumed orally, as an efficient treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Still, there are no scientific studies to support these claims.
Regain Appetite
Cancer patients frequently experience appetite loss since the disease or its treatment can harm taste and scent, reducing one’s enjoyment of food. Finding efficient means of assisting patients in maintaining a healthy diet and consuming adequate calories is a crucial component of their therapy. Doing so can result in weight loss, anorexia, worse quality of life, and shorter survival.
An experiment was conducted to find out which is better for regaining appetite, THC or Placebo. Patients who received THC had a greater overall appreciation of food (30%) compared to those who received placebo, and more frequently (55%) indicated that study medicine “made meals taste better” than those who received placebo (10%). Most patients receiving THC (64%) reported increased hunger; three patients (27%) had no change and insufficient data for one patient. No patients receiving THC displayed a loss of appetite. Meanwhile, patients who received a placebo tended to either have decreased appetite (50%) or exhibit no change (20%).
Data support both the adverse effects and positive effects of cannabis on health. Even though comprehensive, current assessments of the scientific studies analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the substance have emerged over the past couple of years, it is evident that additional research is required to properly understand the effects of increased cannabis usage on public health.
Downside
But of course, there are risks if consumption is not controlled. Marijuana is a widely used substance because of its effects. It is among the illicit narcotics that are used the most frequently globally. Advocates for mental health are worried about these consequences, though. According to NIDA, THC can cause schizophrenia symptoms to relapse.
The impairment of motor skills is another potential side effect of THC use. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, marijuana is the second-most prevalent psychoactive substance discovered in drivers after alcohol. It may impair driving or related jobs for three hours after ingestion. Medical marijuana users are advised not to drive unless it has been determined that they can tolerate it and successfully perform motor functions.
Younger users of marijuana may experience short-term as well as long-term issues. According to Dr. Damon Raskin, medical director at Cliffside Malibu Treatment Center, “some of the side effects of THC include a decline in IQ, memory, and cognition, especially in younger people.” Although some suggest that it may harm a person’s airways and affect their ability to reproduce in both men and women, the studies are still unclear, so the verdict is yet out on the long-term effects.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
