Marijuana
The cannabis plant contains around 400 different chemical substances , the cannabinoids present being those that give it psychoactive properties, of which around 100 are known.
Cannabinoids are substances that have a carbocyclic structure of 21 carbon atoms, generally made up of three rings: cyclohexane, tetrahydropyran, and benzene.
What is marijuana ?
What we commonly call marijuana is a plant called Cannabis , its psychoactive effects are due to one of its active principles, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) . It is a plant with whose resin, leaves and flowers hashish and marijuana are made. The concentration of THC, in addition to other components, determines the potency of the derivatives.
Different substances can be obtained from Cannabis Sativa. Depending on which part of the plant is extracted, we find three different modalities:
Marijuana
They are the crumbled hemp leaves, which, after drying and being treated, are smoked. It contains between 1% and 5% tetrahydrocannabinol, which makes its effect much less than that of hashish.
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Hashish
It is a brown paste that is obtained from female hemp. It is a resinous substance that occurs in the form of compact sheets with a characteristic odor. It is smoked mixed with pipe or cigarette tobacco. It presents from 15% to 50% THC and has higher impurities.
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Hash Oil
It is a thick, resinous liquid that is distilled from hashish. It has a high concentration of THC (50% or more). It is commonly adulterated on the market and potentially toxic.
What types of marijuana are there ?
Cannabis comes from a plant (Cannabis sativa), of which several subspecies are distinguished:
Subspecies
Ruderalis
From which fibers and oil are mainly obtained
Subspecies
Sativa
Poor in active principles. This type of Marijuana plants are native to America, Asia and Africa, where the climates are warm and the summers long.
More stimulating effect, predominantly euphoric. (Green House, J. 2014)
Subspecies
Indica
It contains a higher concentration of cannabinoids and from which more than 70 different compounds have been isolated, which differ depending on the variety, origin or climate.
Originally from Pakistan and India mainly, although they can be found from many other places. They have originally evolved in cold climates, where summers are short. Predominantly relaxing effect. (Green House, J. 2014)
Varieties
Hybrids
All types of marijuana obtained by crossing indica strains with sativa strains. Hybrids can have the qualities of any of their parents, and can have more indica or sativa tendencies in any of their virtues, flavor, effect, production, morphology. (Green House, J. 2014)
Depending on its growth, flowering and sex it can also be classified into
Regular
Regular varieties are those that have been obtained naturally, by crossing a male marijuana plant with a female marijuana plant. The result offers us seeds that, when flowering, can be male or female and this result cannot be predicted. (Green House, J. 2014)
Feminized
Feminized varieties are those that have been obtained by crossing a reverted female plant with a female plant, so that all the seeds obtained are female. They are the most demanded since they guarantee that the plants will be female, which are the ones that are smoked. (Green House, J. 2014)
If you want to know recommendations for before, during and after marijuana use, click here.
Which are the routes of administration of marijuana?
Although the route of ingestion is mainly smoking, it can also be taken orally, as an infusion or in pastries. If you want to know more about marijuana consumed orally, don't miss our blog entry " 10 things you should know about cannabis cooking ".
When should I not consume marijuana?
The use of marijuana is not recommended when you have a personal or family history of depression or schizophrenia since it can favor the presence of psychotic symptoms with symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, etc; in addition to depressive symptoms.
What are the effects of smoking it according to the amount ?
0.5 - 7.5 mg
Euphoria, easy laughter, hilarity, altered perception of time, altered perception of colors or
sounds. Well-being, relaxation, drowsiness, concentration and memorization difficulties. Conjunctival hyperemia,
mydriasis, abolition of the photomotor reflex. Oral and mucosal dryness, increased appetite.
15-20 mg
Marked distortion in temporal, visual and auditory perception. Hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, feeling of
depersonalization and derealization, confused and disorganized thoughts. Tachycardia, palpitations.
20 - 25 mg
Panic attack, toxic delirium (confusion, memory disturbances, suspicion, depersonalization, derealization,
fear and perceptual disturbances), paranoid psychosis, depression. Altered consciousness may appear, and
you can reach a deep coma in case of ingestion. It can also cause low blood pressure and angina. Cases of ischemic stroke have also been described.
If you want to know what the recommended dose is and how often you can safely consume it, we invite you to know our blog entry by clicking here .
What happens if I regularly use marijuana?
Continued consumption favors the appearance of the so-called amotivational syndrome, which is characterized by poor psychosocial behavior, apathy, low concentration capacity and memory deficits. (Rojas, J. Irala, J. Martìnez, M. 2006)
This syndrome is defined as a state of passivity and indifference, characterized by generalized dysfunction of cognitive, interpersonal and social capacities due to the use of cannabis for years. In the DSM (Manual for the diagnosis of mental illnesses) it is recognized that a dysthymic syndrome (depressive) may appear that would lead to lethargy (drowsiness), anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and mood disorders such as irritability.
The person becomes listless, lacking energy, without interest, often gaining weight, and appears extremely lazy. You are reluctant to do any prolonged activity that requires attention or tenacity. As a result, most of them have poor school and work performance, since they tend to present difficulties for study and learning.
Is it possible to develop addiction to marijuana ?
According to Kemp, Molly, Clark and Dobbs (2016) there is evidence of the appearance of tolerance, withdrawal and dependence both in experimental studies in animals and in studies with human consumers. This tolerance disappears if consumption is eliminated. Although some authors dispute the existence of the withdrawal syndrome, it has been tested in significant and long-term users. In habitual marijuana users for approximately 5 years, the suppression of THC consumption was accompanied by a set of characteristic symptoms, including anxiety, tension, insomnia, anorexia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, dysphoria and aggressiveness, as well as symptoms and signs physical such as sweating, trembling, myalgia, nausea and diarrhea. This withdrawal syndrome has an average duration of 8 days.
It is possible that the difficulty in recognizing the withdrawal syndrome is due to the fact that marijuana, being a fat-soluble molecule, has a half-life in the body of approximately 7 days, which prevents a sharp drop in concentrations in the blood so the withdrawal pattern is not very specific and does not occur abruptly, it can take a couple of months for the body to be totally free of THC. In addition to this, the withdrawal syndrome has a clinical similarity with anxious or depressive pictures, which makes it easier to go unnoticed.
In addition, there is evidence that the withdrawal syndrome can vary depending on the route of administration of the substance and it is identified that one of the causes for continuing to use cannabis is to avoid the appearance of withdrawal syndrome. On the other hand, the pleasure associated with consumption can become an important psychological reinforcement.
If you want to consult the bibliographic references click here
You can consult related information at:
What is the safe dose of marijuana?
In short, grass.
10 things you should know about cannabis cooking
General recommendations for the consumption of psychoactive substances:
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📌Do not consume any psychoactive substance, if you do so other than on a regular basis.
📌 Take care of yourself physically before, during and after consumption through nutrition and hydration.
📌Implement detoxification strategies the days after consumption
🔥 Warning signs 🔥
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If you feel the need to increase the dose to feel the effects you initially felt, give yourself a break and do not consume for a long time, this will decrease tolerance, keep it there through non-habitual consumption, that is, do not take part of your routine or that the consumption does not present a pattern.
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💡Do you want to detox? At # deliberate we have designed a DETOX program at home: 7 days with nutritional advice, physical activity, recipes (breakfast, lunch and dinner), mindfulness exercises, imagery exercises and steam baths; Give your body a detoxification day once every six months and avoid negative consequences for your health in the medium and long term. More info here 💡Do you want to manage your consumption? Book an appointment with our healthcare professionals. Find out whether or not you have a problem use and acquire strategies to reduce risks and harm from using psychoactive substances. More info here