People use the dried leaves, seed oil, and other parts of the cannabis plant for recreational and medicinal purposes. It can have a pleasurable effect and may soothe the symptoms of various conditions, such as chronic pain.
Some of the ingredients in cannabis are psychoactive (mind-altering), but others are not. The potency and balance of the ingredients vary, depending on how the manufacturer grows and processes the plant.
Cannabis contains at least 120 active ingredients, or cannabinoids. The most abundant ones are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Some cannabinoids can have euphoric or psychoactive effects. THC produces both effects.
CBD is present in various forms, including:
So far, most studies have focused on CBD and THC, but scientists are looking into the effects of other cannabinoids, too.
Read more about THC & CBD here.
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, there is conclusive evidence that cannabis or cannabinoids can help manage:
There is moderate evidence that it can help with sleep problems relating to sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and MS.
Other conditions that it may be helpful for include:
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a medication that derives from cannabis, to treat two rare and severe types of epilepsy that do not respond well to other treatments. Epidiolex is a purified form of CBD that does not contain THC.
Three drugs that contain synthetic substances with a structure similar to that of THC have received FDA approval. Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet are treatment options for some kinds of anorexia.
There are different ways of using cannabis, and the method can determine the effects of the drug.
Smoking or inhaling: A sense of elation can start within minutes and peak after 10–30 minutes. The feeling will typically wear off after about 2 hours.
Ingesting: If a person consumes products containing cannabis by mouth, they will usually feel the effects within 1 hour, and the sensations will peak after 2.5–3.5 hours. One study suggests that the type of edible affects the time it takes to feel the effect, with hard candies kicking in quicker.
Topical: Transdermal patches allow the ingredients to enter the body over a prolonged period. This steady infusion can benefit people who are using cannabis to treat pain and inflammation.
The human body naturally produces some cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system. They act in a similar way to neurotransmitters, sending messages throughout the nervous system.
These neurotransmitters affect brain areas that play a role in memory, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, sensory and time perception, and pleasure.
The receptors that respond to these cannabinoids also react to THC and other cannabinoids. In this way, cannabinoids from an outside source can change and disrupt normal brain function.
THC appears to affect areas of the brain that control:
Due to these effects, a person should not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or engage in risky physical activities after using cannabis.
THC stimulates specific cannabinoid receptors that increase the release of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that relates to feelings of pleasure.
THC can also affect sensory perception. Colors may seem brighter, music more vivid, and emotions more profound.
When people use cannabis, they may notice the following effects:
Using cannabis can also entail some risks. These include:
People have modified some types of cannabis, such as skunk, to maximize the potency of certain components. From the 1990s to 2018, the average THC content in confiscated cannabis rose from 4% to over 15%.
One problem with using unregulated or recreational drugs is that people cannot know exactly what they contain or how strong the effect will be. There may also be contaminants.
With long-term use, changes in the brain can occur that lead to problematic use, or cannabis use disorder. This disorder, in which a person experiences withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug, may affect about 30% of people who use cannabis, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Of these individuals, about 9% may develop an addiction. A person has an addiction when they cannot stop using a substance.
The NIDA add that up to 17% of those who start using cannabis in their teens may become dependent on it.
Quitting cannabis, after becoming dependent, is not life threatening, but it can be uncomfortable.
Symptoms may include:
Symptoms tend to peak within the first week after stopping and last up to 2 weeks.
Experts do not know exactly how frequent and long-term cannabis use affects a person’s health. Both the short- and long-term effects may vary among individuals.
Cannabis contains chemicals that can have various effects on the human body. It is a popular recreational drug with some medicinal uses.
Anyone who is considering using cannabis for any purpose should first check that it is legal to use in their state. They should also consider its possible effects on their mental and physical health.
Your doctor can be a good person to ask for advice.
Check out our blog articles and the FAQs page for even more information and education. If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call, we’d be glad to help.
