Cannabis has a variety of physical and mental effects. It can affect your immune system, vision, breathing, memory and judgement.The cannabis flower is used to treat or for recreational purposes. The stalk or stem is used in industrial applications (e.g. hemp fiber). The seeds of the cannabis plants are used in food and household products (e.g. hemp seed, hemp oil).Cannabis is also called pot, weed and many other names.Cannabis can be used in tinctures, topicals, food and beverages.Different ways of ingesting marijuana may have different effects on your body. Inhaling cannabis smoke directly into your lungs causes the compounds to enter your bloodstream immediately and make their way quickly to your brain and organs. The effects can start within minutes or seconds.Before reaching the bloodstream, cannabis-containing products must first pass through the digestive system and liver. The effects can start within minutes or hours. If you're looking for a convenient way to access cannabis, consider a Johnson City dispensary or opt for cannabis delivery services.The effects of cannabis on body are still a subject of debate. There are many physical and psychological effects that people report, ranging from pain and discomfort to relaxation and relief.Cannabis contains active ingredients called cannabinoids. These compounds are not found anywhere else in nature.THC is the substance that makes cannabis intoxicating. Cannabis has medicinal properties for:
- Pain
- nausea
- Reduced appetite
- insomnia
CBD does not make you drunk. CBD has medicinal potential for conditions such as epilepsy and depression.There's a lot we still don't understand about THC and CBD.The federal prohibition of cannabis and its classification as Schedule I drugs has made it difficult to conduct research.Cannabis contains more than 100 cannabinoids. These other cannabinoids are still being explored by science.Cannabis' medicinal properties have been widely accepted in recent years. As of March 20, 2021, 36 states and the District of Columbia will have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use.What we know about THC's effects on your bloodstream.Cannabis can have immediate and long-term consequences, including changes in perception, increased heart rate, and more. Smoking cannabis can cause chronic coughs and other health problems.Cannabis can have long-term effects, depending on the way you use it, how much and how frequently you use it.Knowing the effects cannabis can have on the body is more important than ever. You can read on to find out how cannabis affects your body's systems.
Respiratory System
Like tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke contains a number of toxic chemicals including ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and other substances that can cause irritation to your bronchial tubes and lungs.Regular smokers are more likely to produce phlegm, wheeze and cough. Also, you're at a higher risk for bronchitis or lung infections. Cannabis can aggravate respiratory diseases such as Asthma or Cystic Fibrosis.The smoke from cannabis contains carcinogens that could theoretically increase the risk of lung tumor.According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse there is no conclusive proof that smoking cannabis causes lung cancer. Further research is required.
Circulatory System
THC is transported from your lungs to your bloodstream, and then throughout your entire body. Your heart rate can increase from 20 to 50% per minute within minutes. This rapid heart rate may continue for as long as 3 hours.It puts extra pressure on your heart. This could increase your risk of a heart attack if you suffer from heart disease.Bloodshot eyes are a telltale sign of recent cannabis consumption. The redness is caused by the blood vessels expanding and filling with more blood.THC can lower eye pressure, which may ease glaucoma symptoms for a couple of hours. It will take more research to determine if THC has long-term benefits in glaucoma.
Central Nervous System
Cannabis has effects on the entire central nervous system. Cannabis may help to control seizures and reduce pain, inflammation and spasms. There are still potential negative effects of cannabis on the CNS.THC causes your brain to release large quantities of dopamine. Dopamine is a "feel-good" chemical that occurs naturally. You get a pleasant high from it. It can heighten your senses and increase your perception of the time.This dopamine-producing cycle could also explain why up to 30% cannabis users develop cannabis addiction. Severe cannabis addiction is relatively rare, but can happen.Cannabis withdrawal symptoms include:
- irritability
- insomnia
- Loss of appetite
THC can affect the way that you process information in the Hippocampus. This may lead to impaired judgment. It's also possible to have trouble forming new memories while high, as the hippocampus is involved in memory.Cerebellum and the basal ganglia also undergo changes. These brain regions play a role in movement and equilibrium. Cannabis can alter your coordination, balance and reflex response. All of these changes make it unsafe to drive.High concentrations of THC or very large doses can cause hallucinations and delusions. According to NIDA there could be a link between cannabis and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.If you suffer from schizophrenia or have a history of the condition in your family, it is best to avoid cannabis. Cannabis can worsen symptoms or increase the risk of schizophrenia in those with a genetic predisposition.You may feel a little tired or depressed after the high. Cannabis can cause anxiety in some people.Long-term cannabis usage can negatively impact the memory and thinking processes of people under 25. Their brains are not yet fully developed.Cannabis use during pregnancy may also have an impact on the baby's development. Memory, concentration and problem solving skills may be affected in the child.Comme mentioned above, the federal prohibition of cannabis has led to a research focus on observational studies, which are only able to detect correlations and not causality.These studies looked at cannabis that was unregulated and illegal, but scientists do not know if cannabis that is regulated by the states will have different effects.
Digestive system
Inhaling smoke from cannabis may cause a burning or stinging sensation in the mouth and throat.Orally consumed cannabis can cause digestive problems. THC can help ease nausea and vomiting in some people, but long-term heavy THC use can cause nausea.THC can cause an increase in appetite, which many people refer to as "the munchies."It can help people gain weight and increase their appetite.This effect may be a detriment to those who want to lose weight. However, studies on epidemiology show that cannabis users are not at an increased risk of diabetes or obesity.
Immune system
Animal studies have shown that THC can adversely affect the immunity system through suppression.Theoretically, this could make you more vulnerable to infectious diseases. This may have a positive effect on people with autoimmune diseases who have an excessively active immune system.To fully understand these effects, further research and human studies are needed.
Conclusion:
Cannabis, often referred to as pot or weed, has a myriad of effects on the human body, both physically and mentally. Its active ingredients, cannabinoids, are unique to the plant, with THC being the primary intoxicating component and CBD offering potential medicinal benefits without the high. While cannabis has been legalized in numerous states for medicinal or recreational use, its effects on systems like the respiratory, circulatory, central nervous system, digestive, and immune system are still under research. Some of these effects include potential respiratory issues, increased heart rate, altered coordination and balance, and potential memory and thinking impairments in younger users. As the legalization landscape changes, it's crucial for users to be informed about the potential effects, especially as they relate to conditions like asthma, heart disease, and mental health disorders. For those in Johnson City, accessing cannabis through a Johnson City dispensary or utilizing cannabis delivery services can provide convenience, but understanding its impact on the body remains paramount.