Long term effects of cannabis
2009.03.30
Cannabis is a unique plant with a wide variety of active. When at one hand chemicals in cannabis may cause excitation of a part, another chemical, in the same plant, will be there to help out the damage. This doesn’t make Cannabis an all time legendary plant. It has significant ill-effects at larger and more frequent usage.
There is an endogenous cannabinoid system in the body which is regulated by endocannabinoids and their receptors. The release and uptake of these cannabinoids is controlled at higher levels in response to environment. The two main receptors in this system are cannabinoid receptor type 1 & 2. Type-1 is mainly found in area of brain related to motor control cognition, emotion, behavior and homeostasis. Type-2 receptors are mainly outside the brain as mediators of autonomic nervous system, immune system and microcirculation.
Cannabis secretes its own set of cannabinoids which are capable of activating the endocannabinoid system and thus setting up the effects that are called as “The High” and with persistent use they show a different range of consequences which may be some of or all of the ones described below.
The regulatory functions of endocannabinoid system are disrupted by exogenous Cannabis usage. Most of these changes are temporary and reverse back after a few weeks-months, but few changes maybe permanent for the unfortunate highly susceptible user. It is also noted that dopaminergic neurons are either directly or indirectly affected by all illicit drugs and their activity is changed.
Psychosis:
The Lancet had published a study in 2007 showing that Cannabis increases the susceptibility to mental illness and is actually responsible for 14% of
Schizophrenia:
There are controversial statements regarding the relationship of Cannabis and schizophrenia. Studies in past showed a direct relationship, but latest research has also shown that some chemicals in Cannabis can even be helpful in cure of schizophrenia.
Memory and learning problems:
There is acute memory disturbance in next couple of hours after a high. With chronic use of Cannabis, the learning and memory may stay impaired for days or weeks.
Stress response dysregulation:
Endocannabinoid system is responsible for stress management and regulation. Thus dysregulation of stress occurs as one of the withdrawal symptoms of Cannabis.
EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON BODY SYSTEMS
Lungs:
Due to deeper inhalation done by Cannabis smokers, respiratory problems like cough, sputum production, wheeze and other large airway abnormalities arise commonly coupled with poorer lung function. Cannabis smoking increases the chances of acute respiratory infections, obstructive airway disease and relatively more health problems as compared to tobacco smokers. The Cannabis smoke contains ammonia (20times more than in tobacco), a carcinogen; hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen oxides (both five times more); tar and carbon monoxide (both 3-5times more); and many other irritants and possible carcinogens. Studies till now are unsuccessful in establishing a direct cause-effect relationship between Cannabis smoking and lung cancers.
Heart:
One study points out that heart attack risk is more than quadrupled in the first hour after smoking Cannabis because it increases the heart rate and blood pressure but reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. When cocaine is used with Cannabis there are more severe increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
Immune system:
Cannabis is a general “immunosuppressant” thus its chronic use weakens the body’s defense against infections. This makes Cannabis especially harmful in pre-existing immune-deficient states like AIDS, organ transplant, or cancer chemo-therapy but ironically, these are conditions for which Cannabis has most often been touted and suggested as a treatment. Cannabis can accelerate HIV infection to full blown AIDS, increase occurrence of infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma. (Source= Donald P. Tashkin, M.D., "Effects of Marijuana on the Lung and Its Immune Defenses," Secretary's Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative: Resource Papers, March 1997, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention)
Munchies:
According to research by Italian scientists, Cannabis activates the endocannabinoid receptors in brain which results in increased appetite, and thus munchies.
Vascular system:
Apart from its immediate effects, long term Cannabis use can rarely cause a serious peripheral vascular disease that usually affects younger smokers, which may lead to amputation if not diagnosed and treated early.
EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON PERSONALITY
Gateway drug:
The gateway drug phenomenon means that people who used Cannabis later started using other harder drugs. A cohort study done in 2007 in
Dependency:
Cannabis is as addictive as alcohol. About 10% of Cannabis users become addictive. Thus when 90% users can use Cannabis for recreation, it is not a harmless herb for the other 10%. Cannabis is one of the most difficult drugs to give up. Not because it causes more dependency, but because its users don’t let it go so easily.
CANNABIS WITHDRAWAL
There are two stages of withdrawal. The acute stage when a person gets irritability, nervousness, appetite and sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, violent out bursts, drug craving and some psychological dependence because of the high. This may last from few days to few weeks. The second stage is called post-acute stage when physical symptoms will be very few but emotional and psychological symptoms will be more pronounced. During this stage the brain is trying to return to normal chemistry and equilibrium. The most common post-acute withdrawal symptoms are:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Variable energy
- Low enthusiasm
- Variable concentration
- Disturbed sleep
The second stage lasts about 2 years. Symptoms are episodic and time limited. When a person is determined to resist, he or she feels that soon it’s easy to understand and control even during the episodes. Thus with time, it gets easier.