What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a psychoactive (or mind-altering) drug obtained from the dried leaves, seeds, stems and flowers of the hemp plants Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. Marijuana is also referred to as cannabis or weed. Marijuana contains more than 60 compounds of the cannabinoid family, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These cannabinoids bind to receptors called endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and throughout the body.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis are due to THC binding to CB1 receptors that are mostly present in the brain. The CB2 receptors are present on cells involved in the immune system. Cannabidiol (CBD), unlike THC, does not activate the reward system and does not result in intoxication (or a euphoric “high”). CBD has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties and is used for medical purposes.
The amount of these cannabinoids depends on the specific strain of the cannabis plant.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana or medical cannabis refers to the use of marijuana for the treatment of a medical condition or to relieve its symptoms. Medical cannabis is especially effective in relieving chronic pain and seen as a much safer alternative to opiates due to its lower risk of addiction and almost negligible chances of overdose associated with medical marijuana.
Medical cannabis is also effective in alleviating nausea related to chemotherapy and in aiding weight gain for people with anorexia. There is also evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabinoids in the treatment of multiple sclerosis-related muscle spasms and epileptic seizures.
Although many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana, the use of marijuana for medical purposes has not been approved by the federal government.
Synthetic Marijuana
Synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors and are often chemically similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in the cannabis plant. Besides having psychoactive effects, these drugs may also bind to other receptors in the brain and result in side effects.
These chemicals are often sprayed on dried plant material to give it the appearance of actual weed. These drugs are unregulated and can contain harmful ingredients that cause severe adverse effects, resulting in medical emergencies, organ damage and even death.