Cannabis
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What is marijuana?
From the Wikipedia Entry for w:Cannabis....
The cannabis plant can be dried or otherwise processed to yield products containing large concentrations of compounds that have psychoactive and medicinal effects when consumed, usually by smoking or eating. Cannabis (also called marijuana, or pot in slang) has been used for medical and psychoactive effects for thousands of years. Throughout the 20th century there was a massive upswing in the use of cannabis as a psychoactive substance, mostly for recreational purposes but to some extent for religious purposes. The possession, use, or sale of psychoactive cannabis products became illegal in many parts of the world during the early 20th century, and remains that way today.
Does marijuana cause depression?
There is conflicting data on this issue, but the largest, most recent study which took into account the use of medical marijuana, does not detect a link between marijuana use and depression.
According to Tom Denson & Mitch Earlywine's paper....
"The media continues to report links between marijuana and depression. In a recent review, Degenhardt, Hall, and Lynskey 2003 identified a modest relationship only among problematic users.Many studies show no link between cannabis and depression despite appropriate statistical power,measurement, and design (Fergusson & Horwood, 1997; Fergusson,Lynskey, & Horwood, 1996; Green & Ritter, 2000; Kouri, Pope, Yurgelun-Todd, & Gruber, 1995; McGee, Williams, Poulton, & Moffitt,2000; Musty & Kaback, 1995; Rowe, Fleming, Barry, Manwell, & Kropp, 1995). One neglected source of depression among marijuana users may stem from medical use. Those who use the plant to battle symptoms of illness may be depressed because of illness, not marijuana. With over 4400 participants, our study is the largest investigation of marijuana and depression to date.....We also assessed medical use, which other studies have not done....These data suggest that adults apparently do not increase their risk for depression by using marijuana."
Is Marijuana harmful?
It certainly can be, just as many other drugs such as alcohol, caffeine, and cocaine, especially if used in inappropriate ways. Below are some of the wikipedia listed effects...
Anti-emetic properties Modulation of working and short-term memory Impairment of short-term memory Enhancement of many other drug effects (including those of alcohol, ecstasy, tobacco, heroin, cocaine) Auditory or visual hallucinations at high doses in some users Paramnesia, repetitiveness and ambiguation Increased appetite (often referred to as "the munchies"), an effect of stimulation of the endocannabinoid system, which affects body weight, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Increased sexual pleasure Increased awareness of sensation Increased awareness of patterns and colors Increased appreciation of music Increased mental activity, like metacognition Induced sense of novelty Initial wakefulness followed by drowsiness and lassitude ('burnt out') Introspective or meditative states of mind Gain or loss of some inhibitions Mild euphoria, feelings of general well-being Relaxation or stress reduction Mild tachycardia (Increased heart rate) Mild, temporary dry mouth (sometimes referred to as cottonmouth, pasties, or the drys (NZ)) Mild, temporary keratoconjunctivitis sicca (sometimes referred to as blood-shot eyes, dry eyes or red eye(UK)) Mild paranoia and anxiety
Is Marijuana addictive?
Is Marijuana a "gateway" drug?
Does Cannabis have medicinal purposes?
You be the judge! Effects reported on wikipedia....
Pain relief (especially headaches, cramps, and eye pain due to lowered intraocular pressure). Increased appetite, food subjectively tastes better. Reduced nausea, (especially from chemotherapy), though may cause or exacerbate nausea for some. Dilation of alveoli (air sacs) in lungs, resulting in deeper respiration. Increase in productive coughs Dilation of blood vessels (vasodilation), resulting in: Increased blood flow and heart rate Reddening of the conjunctivae (red eye) Lower intra-ocular pressure (beneficial to glaucoma patients). Lower blood pressure while standing. Higher blood pressure while sitting (note that this can lead to instances of orthostatic hypotension a.k.a. head rush). Induces drowsiness (beneficial to sufferers of insomnia and sleep deprivation). Relaxation Reduced stress Mild entheogenesis (e.g. per Rastafarian users, more "Jah-Vibrations")
