Many people are sure that if you use drugs in a small amount, then this will not cause harm to the body. Marijuana (or hemp) is the most popular type of soft drug. They are allowed in the Netherlands. What are the harmful and beneficial properties of marijuana? Before understanding this issue, let's get acquainted with the slang names of marijuana: a jamb, grass, hashish, greens, ganja and masha.
What is marijuana?
Marijuana, cannabis, or hemp is a psychoactive substance that is made from annual bast-fiber plants in the hemp family. This is a dioecious annual plant, the height of which can reach three meters.
There are three types of marijuana: sowing, Indian and weed. Since ancient times, people have known the medicinal properties of marijuana. The plant was used as a sedative and analgesic, as well as as a raw material for the manufacture of textiles. What else can marijuana do? Let's talk about this below.
Historical reference
In the X century BC e. ancient Indians used this plant for medicinal purposes. Drugs were made from it to relieve pain.
The Chinese since ancient times were famous for the production of textiles, in which hemp was used in the manufacture.
Marijuana came to Europe only at the beginning of the 19th century, when Napoleon returned to France with his troops, immediately after he conquered the Eastern territories.
The advantages of smoking marijuana were appreciated in the 60s of the XX century by representatives of the hippie subculture.
At that time, yes, however, as now, this substance was the most popular psychotropic drug.
Plant habitat
Due to the psychoactive effects of marijuana on the human body, this plant is banned in many countries of the world.
Today, marijuana can be found along highways or in the countryside in the form of weeds. However, even in the wild, the plant is destroyed immediately after the discovery of its growth.
Marijuana has different slang names in different regions. For example, in the territories of the former Soviet Union, the plant is called "anasha", in India, the Caribbean and Jamaica - "ganja", in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the Pamirs - "hashish".
Today, free-growing marijuana can be found in northern India, Morocco, Nepal, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and in some valleys of the Caucasus and Himalayas. However, in each of these regions, the type of marijuana is significantly different. But it affects a person the same way.
The effects of marijuana
Is marijuana good for you? No matter how strange it may sound, but it is. Her action may be beneficial. For this reason, the plant is used in medicine. Scientists note that the benefits of smoking marijuana is still there. Although small. Smoking weed inhibits brain aging. Also, the healing properties of marijuana are manifested in the treatment of a rare Alzheimer's disease. But in this case, it is worth distinguishing chemical marijuana from medical.
However, many people consume grass in large quantities to cause unusual sensations, pleasure, and joy. Over time, drug dependence develops.
The benefits and harms of marijuana
People who take cannabis products should remember that marijuana is primarily a drug. With all its beneficial properties, large doses of cannabinoids can be harmful. An overdose is most often observed with abuse of alcohol and hard drugs. Side effects: diarrhea, fainting with tinnitus, nausea, vomiting. In rare cases, hemp allergy is manifested.
With the abuse of medical marijuana, the following reactions can occur in the body:
- blurred vision;
- infertility;
- excessive sweating;
- headache, dizziness, fainting;
- nausea;
- hallucination;
- delusional states;
- inhibited speech and thinking;
- disturbed coordination of movement, tremor.
If for a long time to use tinctures and decoctions of medical marijuana, then hallucinations, paranoia, apathy and depression may appear.
Is it medical?
In today's world, there is fierce competition between simple drugs (medical marijuana) and expensive chemicals. Accordingly, the manufacturer makes huge profits from the sale of the latter. Due to a significant breakthrough of modern technologies, folk remedies are undeservedly forgotten and are considered to some extent "quack". Let's take a closer look at the medicinal properties of marijuana.
From kidney stones
For their treatment, it is necessary to pass a glass of hemp through a meat grinder, mix the raw materials with 3 cups of cow's fresh milk. Put on fire and evaporate until the volume of liquid is reduced to one cup. Then it is necessary to divide the resulting volume into 5 equal parts. Drink each serving before breakfast. Then you need to take a break for 100 days and again take a 5-day course. Follow this treatment schedule throughout the year. If you follow all the rules, then the condition of the kidneys and liver will dramatically improve.
For asthma
In alternative medicine, there are three ways to treat asthma attacks:
- Cannabis ointment for external use.
- Hemp oil (oral).
- Inhalation of hemp oil vapors.
The most effective way to relieve asthma symptoms and its treatment is to inhale the vapors of medical marijuana. This usually happens through a vaporizer (industrial evaporator). For the manufacture of oil, plant inflorescences are used, they are heated in a vapovizer at a temperature of 140 to 200 degrees.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is contained in the flowers, is boiled. It evaporates without carcinogens and appears as a thin layer of fog. This mist contains the necessary chemicals for asthma. The maximum amount of cannabinoids enters the human respiratory tract. The risk of infection of the respiratory system is minimal.
With the help of hemp ointment, they rub the chest and neck in the event that a person feels the approach of an acute asthmatic attack.
Hemp oil is used for long-term treatment of asthma. One teaspoon of oil is added to warm tea or juice before bedtime. Some people spread butter on bread.
- With insomnia. If pharmacy drugs do not help a person to cope with insomnia, then the safest alternative method is treatment with marijuana. 1.5-2 hours before bedtime, you must inhale cannabis through an vaporizer or take a tincture of medical marijuana. The plant gives a positive result if used as a dietary supplement 2 hours before bedtime.
- With uterine fibroids. If a woman was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, then in addition to traditional treatment, it is worth paying attention to alternative methods. One of the most effective means is a decoction of hemp seeds. To prepare it, you need to take 3 tsp. hemp seeds and boil in 1 liter of water. It is necessary to use a decoction of 100 ml three times a day for 14 days.
- With epilepsy. This is a neurological disease that is not fully understood. An attack can happen suddenly. Anticonvulsants only relieve seizures. However, many drugs have side effects and do not help all patients.
Cannabidiol has a positive anticonvulsant effect on certain types of epileptic seizures. Therefore, medical marijuana treatment can be a good alternative. If you take medical marijuana, the patient will be able to control seizures a bit and reduce the appearance of side effects. You can use a decoction and infusion of this plant. They will act on the body as a sedative.
To prepare the infusion, you need 1 tbsp. l mixture of seeds and leaves of marijuana pour 1 cup boiling water. Let it brew for an hour. Take an infusion after eating 1 tbsp. l thrice a day. Also, such an infusion is effective for cystitis and prostatitis.
- With herpes. This is a viral disease in which the skin on the lips and mucous membranes of the whole body are affected. Getting rid of herpes is quite difficult. However, pain can be relieved with the help of alcohol tinctures from medical marijuana. To prepare it, you need seeds, stems and leaves of the plant.
- 100 g of crushed plants pour 1 liter of vodka. Let it brew for 14 days. Then strain. Lubricate the affected area with a cotton swab moistened previously in tincture. You can drop 1-2 drops of tincture under the tongue. This tincture is effective for pain in the ears, sore throat (as a gargle). You can lubricate non-healing wounds. In this case, it is necessary to dilute the tincture with water.
Dermatitis Marijuana
In the treatment of dermatitis, skin diseases, including lichen, eczema and even burns, it is recommended to use hemp seed ointment. We prepare the ointment according to this recipe: it is necessary to grind into a powder 1 cup of dry hemp seeds. Then dilute the powder with boiling water to a density of liquid sour cream. Strain the mixture and pour 1 tbsp. walnuts. They must first be crushed. Add butter and ground red geraniums. Stir the mixture thoroughly and keep in a cool place.
Negative impact
We continue to consider the benefits and harms of marijuana. The harm done by marijuana is scientifically proven. Moreover, the negative impact is much greater than beneficial. Marijuana, as a narcotic substance, negatively affects the human body, namely:
- Causes malaise and weakness. If a person regularly smokes weed, then he develops apathy, a general malaise. This is all the result of exhaustion.
- Exhaustion. After smoking the grass, both the physical state of the person and the energy state are depleted. These products provoke brain depletion. The mind is gradually stupefying, becoming clouded and empty. It is this factor that often distinguishes an addict from a healthy person.
- Neurosis and mental disorders occur in the addict, because he is not enough dose. Hallucinations can occur that excite the mind. Against this suppressed emotional background, suicidal thoughts arise. It is for this reason that death is a frequent outcome.
- Adinamia is a condition in which a person cannot physically move. Legs give way and shake. Similar actions occur with the upper limbs.
- Damaging marijuana affects the brain. Vascular compounds are destroyed, blood pressure jumps. A blood clot may block the vessel. Accordingly, the risk of a heart attack, stroke and other serious pathologies increases. Marijuana contains toxins that completely destroy the capillaries in the brain, gradually destroying the organ itself.
- Mental addiction to hemp. Moreover, the dependence does not appear immediately. This is a distinctive feature of marijuana from other types of drugs. It will take several times more time to become addictive. However, with the onset of addiction, the person is not aware of the problem. A similar situation occurs with alcoholics.
The effect of marijuana use
Causes smoking marijuana harm. Scientists have not found any benefit here. If hemp is used as a smoking mixture, then tar and carbon monoxide settle in the lungs. This can lead to disastrous consequences. Doctors have found that marijuana adversely affects blood vessels and the heart. Blood pressure decreases, the heart rate quickens and the vessels of the brain contract.
How to recognize a drug addict?
Those people who smoke the “jamb” often use perfumes and eye drops to hide obvious signs.
In case of an overdose, the following symptoms occur:
- intense thirst;
- cardiopalmus;
- fear, panic;
- it becomes difficult to breathe;
- acute appetite, hypertension;
- a hoarse voice;
- pupils dilate;
- there is pain in the heart;
- chills or fever;
- pathological sleep;
- hallucination;
- difficulty thinking and speaking;
- the limbs move too fast.
To remove marijuana from the human body, he needs help.
First aid
Marijuana is excreted within 7 days. The patient must immediately be laid on a flat surface and calmly talk to him. Brew sweet strong tea. If marijuana comes from food, then you should rinse your stomach. So that a person does not lose consciousness, lay him on his side. Call an ambulance. Despite the beneficial properties of marijuana, many use the plant for pleasure, forgetting the harmful effects on their own health.
How is used in medicine
In nature, there is not a single element of a plant that is useless and inharmonious. Cannabis, or marijuana, is no exception. The composition of this herb includes bioactive components. Thanks to them, you can successfully deal with serious diseases and stop their symptoms. For example, AIDS patients are prescribed medication from medical marijuana to improve appetite. The plant is actively used in chemotherapy to eliminate nausea and reduce the risk of developing tumors. Marijuana also alleviates the condition if a person suffers from muscle cramps.
In conjunction with opioids plants (powerful analgesics that eliminate pain) provides a long-lasting analgesic effect. This unique combination is beneficial for cancer, multiple sclerosis and other diseases that are characterized by severe pain. In these diseases, the use of a narcotic substance is prescribed, but in a minimal dose.
Experts from the Washington Institute of Medicine in a series of studies have concluded that the components of marijuana soften or eliminate pain in such cases:
- with chemical exposure;
- with chronic neuropathic pain and insomnia;
- in the postoperative period;
- when neuropathic pain occurs in patients with HIV;
- with post-traumatic mixed pain;
- with peripheral neuropathic pain;
- with candidiasis, malaria, Staphylococcus aureus.
Therefore, in relation to this plant, the term “medical marijuana (cannabis)” can rightly be used.
Tetrahydrocannabinol in traditional medicine occupies one of the main places, since in the human body it causes the development of self-absorption of cancer cells. This conclusion was made by scientists when conducting experiments on laboratory mice. In a similar experiment, volunteers suffering from cancerous tumors took part. The result exceeded all expectations. Within 10 days, the growth of cancer cells slowed in half. In this case, there was no toxic reaction and intoxication, which usually occur during chemotherapy.
Medical marijuana is used in official medicine in the USA, Canada and Western European countries. In world medical practice, there are cases when marijuana has a beneficial effect on glaucoma, lowering eye pressure.
Contraindications
Of course, the beneficial properties of marijuana are undeniable. However, there are a number of contraindications that cannot be ignored. Number one on the list of contraindications for taking drugs based on medical marijuana is endogenous mental illness, namely schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, etc.
Cannabis does not cause deviations in the psyche if a person does not have a hereditary predisposition to such diseases. For example, if someone in the family suffered from a mental disorder, then you should not inhale cannabis vapors, smoke or take medications based on it.
It is forbidden to take drugs with medical marijuana to those people who suffer from kidney and liver diseases, hypertension, cardiac ischemia and cardiovascular diseases. Cannabis-based drugs can cause tachycardia.
Despite the beneficial properties of marijuana, its abuse has become a scourge in the modern world.