How Cannabinoids aka Marijuana and
Hashish affect the body?
Cannabinoids also known
as Marijuana or Hashish can be administered by swallowing or smoking and they cause
acute effects like relaxation, euphoria, slowed reaction time or anxiety, panic
attacks (National Institute of Health, NIH, 2011). Marijuana is one of the most
widely used illegal drugs today and can have varying effects from relaxation to
hallucinations on its users (Breedlove & Watson, 2013). Continued use of
Marijuana can lead to addiction, decline in cognitive abilities and like
tobacco smoking, marijuana smoking can also cause respiratory diseases. Murray
et al (2007) conclude in their study that adolescents who use marijuana are at
a higher risk of developing psychosis but it’s not clear if adolescents with
psychological issues are at a higher risk of being addicted to the drug.
Physiological Mechanisms of
addiction to Cannabinoids
Tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) is the main active compound found in Cannabinoids and the one which the
brain receptors react to. The brain has Cannabinoid receptors that intercede
the effects of THC. These receptors are found in cerebral cortex, hippocampus
and substantia nigra and areas like the brain stem show a few receptors. Sub
groups of Cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. CB1 are found in the nervous
system and CB2 are found in the immune system. CB1 are present in the central
nervous system of the mammals in a unique manner and more than any other G
protein related receptors and the highest level of presence is in motor control
and hippocampus (Breivogel, 1998). The effects of Cannabinoids on the central
nervous system correlate to the distribution of cannabinoid receptors in the
brain and their activation of the specific ‘G-protein mediated signal’ as explained
by Breivogel (1998).
Two ways knowledge of physiological
mechanism can impact
The users of
cannabinoids are mostly under the age of 25 and include teenagers as well who
are not aware of the physiological long term effects of the drug (NIH). According
to the NIH there was decline in the use of Marijuana or Cannabinoids in the
late nineties and mid 2000’s, but since 2012 there has been significant
increase in the use of these drugs among high school kids and adolescents. An
awareness of the physiological effects of the drug on a young person’s brain
and its damage in the long run could be an effective preventive measure to stop
these numbers from rising. Many teenagers admit to being unaware of how exactly
the drugs give them relaxation, euphoria and even the parents are clueless
about the effects, the fact that their kids are smoking Marijuana or how it can
lead to addiction (Walters, 2002). Knowing the physiology of the impact of the
drug can be a beneficial to parents and youth.
Breedlove and Watson (2013)
point out the importance of understanding the physiology of the effects of
drugs for rehabilitation purposes. Family members or support groups are often
times unaware of the physical stress on the body and reactions of the brain to
withdrawal from the drug. Understanding the physiology can give a better
perspective to the family and support groups of persons struggling with
addiction, rehabilitation. It can increases the level of sympathy and patience
among the support network.
References
Breivogel, C. S., & Childers, S. R. (1998). The functional
neuroanatomy of brain cannabinoid receptors. Neurobiology
of Disease, 5(6),
417-431.
Castle, D. J., & Murray, R. M. (Eds.). (2004). Marijuana and Madness: Psychiatry
and Neurobiology. Cambridge University Press.
Commonly abused drugs,
2011. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved
from http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/commonly-abused-drugs-chart
Walters, J. (2002). The myth of ‘harmless’ marijuana. Washington Post. Washington, DC, 1, A25.
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