What is cannabis and cannabinoids?

The use of cannabis has increased among younger people because they do not have the perception that it is a dangerous drug, that it can create addiction or that it causes harm to their health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the world. Especially worrying is the fact that consumption starts at an earlier age, in adolescence, between 12 and 17 years old, precisely a time when the brain is very plastic and important synaptic connections are being formed, especially for the acquisition of knowledge and the control of negative stimuli such as fear or anxiety.

What is cannabis and cannabinoids?

The cannabis or marijuana is obtained from plant hemp, Cannabis sativa. A series of compounds can be extracted from this plant, such as maria or hashish, which contain various types of cannabinoids, among which tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which is the compound responsible for the psychotropic and psychoactive effects of cannabis use, is worth mentioning. .
The cannabis plant contains more than 500 different chemical compounds, among which about 170 are cannabinoids, some with psychotropic effects such as THC, and others with less harmful effects on the nervous system, such as cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabinol ( CBN).

There are many ways of using cannabis like cannabis oil, cannabis cookies, cannabutter cookies and cannabis brownies Etc.

Effects of recreational cannabis use

The effects of cannabis last between two and six hours if it is smoked and a little longer if it is ingested. Using cannabis recreationally can have a number of effects.

Short term effects:

• Alteration of visual perceptioncannabis leaf and tensiometer
• Reduced motor capacity
• Speech disturbance
• Dry mouth
• Eye redness
• Increased appetite
• Anxiety
• Euphoria
• Improved mood
• Short-term memory loss
• Paranoid states

Long-term effects:

• Non-reversible cognitive disorders.
• Impairment of psychosocial skills.
• Increased risk of anxiety.
• Greater risk of psychotic pictures.
• Worsening of underlying psychiatric disorders.
• Consumption of other toxic substances (alcohol, cocaine).
  Furthermore, habitual cannabis users are estimated to have a five times higher risk of developing depression or anxiety than non-cannabis users.

Detect addiction at an early age

Like all drugs, cannabis can cause addiction and one of the important factors is the age of initiation of use. It has been seen that the sooner one begins to consume cannabis, the greater the effects on health of this drug, with special repercussions on the mental state of patients, who present symptoms of irritability, difficulties in falling asleep, lack of appetite, anxiety and physical and mental need to use the drug.

It is estimated that 10-20% of people who use cannabis regularly can become addicted to it, which deteriorates their physical, mental, social, academic and work status. It is worrisome that consumption starts at an earlier age, in adolescence, between 12 and 17 years old, which is when the brain is very plastic and important synaptic connections are being formed, especially with regard to acquisition knowledge and the control of negative stimuli such as fear or anxiety. Recent studies postulate that cannabis use at an early age can alter the adaptation to fear and cause these people, in adulthood, to suffer a higher incidence of anxiety disorders.

Likewise, consumption has increased among younger people because few of these young people have the perception that it is a dangerous drug, that it can create addiction or that it can cause damage to their health, their academic performance or their social skills.
If you suspect that an adolescent may be using cannabis on a regular basis, it is important to contact a pediatrician and the school to establish a joint strategy.

The other side of Cannabis

The fact that cannabis has also been used for its effects as a therapy should not confuse us. In this case it is the use of some of its isolated components. This is the case of the THC component, which can be useful for treating nausea, pain or lack of appetite in cancer patients, or the use of CBD to improve muscle spasms and stiffness in patients with sclerosis multiple.

What you should know…

It has been seen that the earlier one begins to consume cannabis, the greater the effects on health of this drug, with special repercussions on their mental state.
Like any drug, cannabis can cause addiction and one of the important factors is the age of initiation of use.
Consumption has increased among younger people because they do not have the perception that it is a dangerous drug, that it can create addiction or that it causes damage to their health, their academic performance or their social skills.