The adverse effects of cannabis

What is CANNABIS? Identification name: Cannabis sativa L. Family: Cannabinaceae Habitat: native to Asia and India Medicinal parts: leaf, flower Key chemical constituents: cannabis plant contains more than 400 different chemical compounds including cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenols, steroids. The resin contains cannabinol, paraffin, cannabidiol, malic, oxalic, pectic, trigonellin, choline, traces of coumarin, cannabinone. The essence consists of cannaben, cannaben iodide, sesquiterpenes, cannabinin, tetanocannabine. More than 70 are cannabinoids. Specifically, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is psychoactive, analgesic, hallucinogen, bronchodilator; cannabidiol (CBD) is analgesic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. Properties and uses: antispasmodic, hypnotic, sedative, stimulating, mood-enhancing, anxiogenic, depressive. It is used for anorexia associated with AIDS; nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy; pain and muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis; appetite stimulation; pain; epilepsy; glaucoma; migraine; anxiety and depression; Parkinson’s disease; Huntington’s disease; Tourette’s syndrome. Curiosity: the resin collected from the flowering tops of the plant is called hashish. The apexes, leaves and dried flowers of female plants contain only little resin is known as marijuana. The seeds don't contain cannabinoids and are used to make a fatty and drying oil for cooking, skin care products, and homeopathic preparations for inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract. Cannabis indica, a variety of cannabis sativa, exerts a much more energetic physiological action and constitutes the true medicinal species. The narcotic drugs are obtained from flowering tops, aerial part and leaves. White fibres are formed in the pericycle, and the best quality fibre are from male plants. In Thai traditional medicine it is used as analgesic and sedative to control pain. Caution: incompatibile with acids and alkalis. Marijuana is highly carcinogenic when smoked. It should be avoided in individuals with hormone imbalances and while getting pregnant. It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers because it decreases lactation. It is fat soluble, so it enters the milk and passed on to the infant.

The effects of smoking CANNABIS include numbness, tingling of the extremities, light-headedness, loss of concentration, a floating sensation in the first 3-4 minutes. Over the first 10-30 minutes, you may experience tachycardia, palpitations, cold sweats, drying of the mouth, weakness, postural hypotension, shivering, impaired coordination, euphoria. These effects usually resolve by 1-3 hours, followed by a 30-60 minute of sleepiness before complete clearing and return to normal state. Often reported is also a syndrome of anxiety, paranoia, depersonalization, disorientation, confusion that can lead to panic attack and paralyzing fear. A review of the literature found that cannabis use increases the risk of developing psychotic disorders. Reversible short-term memory loss can also occur with marijuana intoxication. Chronic heavy use of cannabis can cause chronic cough, sputum, wheezing, bronchitis, increased airway resistance and decreased pulmonary function, dependence and withdrawal syndrome that involves anxiety, depression, irritability, restlessness, decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, sweating, tremor, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Epidemiologic studies have shown an association between marijuana smoking and lung, head and neck cancers.

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