Contributed by: Hopefull
Also spelled marihuana, the Indian hemp plant, Cannabis sativa(cannabis), or the crude drug composed of its leaves and flowers. It isusually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes(joints) for smoking. The drug—known by a variety of other names,including pot, tea, grass, and weed—can also be added to foods andbeverages. Marijuana varies in potency, depending on where and how itis grown, prepared for use, or stored.
The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present inall parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentratedin the resin (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female. Hashish, amore powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying thisresin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typicallysmoked in the United States.
Mentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700 BC, marijuana longhas been considered valuable as an analgesic, an anaesthetic, anantidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usuallyused externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century itstips were sometimes administered internally to treat gonorrhoea andangina pectoris.
The effect that cannabis has depends on the strength, how oftenit's smoked, how recently it was smoked and how the body naturallyreacts to the drug.
POSITIVE:
Mood lift
Relaxation, stress reduction
Creative, philosophical or deep thinking...ideas flow more easily
Increased appreciation of music.
Increased awareness of senses(eating, drinking, smell)
Change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasent body feel.Increase in body/mind connection.
Pain relief (headaches, cramps)
reduced nausea (used medically for this)
NEUTRAL:
Increased appetite, snacky-ness
General change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives)
Tiredness
Blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
Mouth dryness
Interrupts linear memory.
Difficulty following a train of thought.
Cheek, jaw, facial tension (less commonly reported)
NEGATIVE:
Nausea
Coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
Difficulty with short-term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use.
Slowness and delayed reactions, especially dangerous when driving or operating machinery.
Racing heart, agitation, and tenseness.
Mild to severe anxiety
Panic attacks at very high doses (usually oral) or in sensitive users
Headaches
Dizziness, confusion
Paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
Possible psychological dependence on cannabis
"Mild" withdrawal symptoms occur after daily use in someusers. These may last for 1-6 weeks after cessation of use and caninclude anxiety, anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure), headaches,general unease/discomfort,difficulty sleeping, and a desire to smokepot.
In many countries the use and possession of marijuana is illegal.Don't EVER cross a border while in possession of ANY illegal drug.
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