Marijuana
Marijuana is a green, brown or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the hemp plant. It can be used for recreational, medical or spiritual purposes. Sinsemilla and Hash are the resinous form of marijuana and Hash oil is a black sticky liquid. All three of those are stronger forms of marijuana. The main active chemical in marijuana is THC, it is a physcoactive ingredient. THC from the marijuana acts with receptors in the brain causing cellular reactions that give the user the “high” feeling. Certain areas in the brain, such as the hippocampus, the cerebellum, the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex, have a higher concentration of cannabinoid receptors. These areas influence memory, concentration, pleasure, coordination and, sensory and time perception, so these functions are mainly affected by marijuana use.
When marijuana smoke is inhaled THC passes from the lungs into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. The strength of the marijuana depends on the amount of THC and the potency. Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe or bong although recently it has been smoked in a joint. Some users even add it to food or brew it in tea.
Marijuana’s strength is based on the amount of THC and the potency. The amount of THC found in marijuana has constantly been increasing. There are many other chemicals found in marijuana which can affect user’s health. Marijuana contains over sixty different compounds related to THC. The highest concentration of THC is found in the leaves and flowers.
Medicinal use of THC is available by prescription. There are two medicines, Cesamet and Marinol. They can be prescribed for patients going through chemotherapy and having loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. Marinol is also approved to treat HIV patients with cachexia. Marijuana has also been used for glaucoma to lower intraocular pressure, but research does not show that marijuana has a better effect than currently approved glaucoma medications.
Mothers who smoke marijuana while pregnant end