Chapter 2
Marijuana: The Myth and the Reality.
Marijuana (cannabis) also known as hashish, is the most widely used illegal drug. It is a naturally occurring drug made from parts of the cannabis plant. The upper leaves, tops and stems of the plant are cut, dried, and rolled in to cigarettes. Specifically hashish or hash, is the dried resin that seeps from the cannabis leaves and is more potent than marijuana. It is classed as a mild hallucinogen with complex effects, and contrary to popular belief, it has diverse effects on the brain and central nervous system. It can induce feelings of relaxation, elevate mood, and produce mild hallucinations. It has been used since ancient times for its psychoactive effects and as a remedy for a wide range of medical conditions. In the 19th century, marijuana was used as much as aspirin is used today for headaches and minor aches and pains. In some countries, it can be bought without a prescription in any drug store. Although marijuana may have some legitimate medical uses, such as in reducing pressure within the eyes in patients with glaucoma or treating the nausea and vomiting that often follows chemotherapy in cancer patients, research shows there are very serious consequences with long term use, including becoming psychotic and schizophrenic. From the results of one psychological study, it was found that marijuana could cause impaired memory functioning as well as other cognitive impairments to the brain. Moreover, men who began using it in their teenage years were found to have smaller brains and less grey matter than other males.
Although many users report positive mood changes (even this though is not long-lasting) others experience disturbing feelings of anxiety and confusion, and, occasionally, even psychotic reactions such as extreme paranoia. Some marijuana users become disorientated which can make them feel frightened or threatened. Smoking marijuana also introduces cancer-causing substances in to the body, which raises the risks of developing cancer. It can also raise blood pressure which can be serious to someone with a heart condition. Frequent use of cannabis can have an adverse effect on a man's sperm count and suppress ovulation in women, indeed; if a woman is pregnant, smoking marijuana may harm the baby. Cannabis (marijuana) is often used with other substances, especially nicotine, alcohol, and cocaine. Marijuana may be mixed and smoked with opioids (you may read about the opioids in the next chapter), phencyclidine (PCP), or hallucinogenic drugs (you may also read about hallucinogens later in this book). Individuals who regularly use cannabis often suffer from physical and mental lethargy and anhedonia (feeling no pleasure at all). A large percentage of users suffer from mild forms of depression, anxiety, or irritability. When taken in high doses, users can experience adverse mental effects resembling those of hallucinogens. Severe anxiety reactions can occur that resemble Panic Attacks. Marijuana intoxication usually begins with a "high" feeling, normally followed by euphoria with inappropriate laughter and grandiosity, sedation, lethargy, impairment in short-term memory, difficulty carrying out complex mental processes, impaired judgement, distorted sensory perceptions, impaired movement, and the sensation that time is passing slowly. Sometimes, anxiety (which can be severe), dysphoria, or social withdrawal occurs. In addition, increased appetite, dry mouth, and tachycardia occur as well. It has been well-documented that marijuana users can also suffer from distorted realities and de-realisation including hallucinations; seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there, i.e., have no sensory basis. Irrelevant of the reason why someone may start smoking marijuana - for fun, a dare, to find relief from stress or psychological pain - if a user has deep psychological needs then they will continue to smoke it, they will become accustomed to using it to be psychologically at ease. As is mentioned above, long-term use can have serious consequences depending on the amount used and the individual's organism. It is often the case that the "high" and the pleasant relaxation that using marijuana can give, can lead, and often does, to users seeking an even more intense high or a deeper feeling of relaxation. This in turn, can lead to individuals trying harder drugs like cocaine or heroin, which, can lead to even greater consequences including the ultimate one - death. There are other healthier and more effective ways and strategies for an individual to find a sense of calm and to become more capable of coping with stress and other issues.
