Added: 12/23/2005 |
Marijuana and its Many Forms of ConsumptionCannabis sativa widely varies by effectiveness and quality. Its tar contains active chemicals. There are three main processes of the drug production resulting in three forms of consumption. The cheapest drug called "bhang" in India is produced from the native hemp plant tops which contain little tar. "Ganja" is extracted from the flower clusters and top leaves of cultivated plants. This substance is of better quality than "bhang" and contains more tar.
The third of the existing forms of consumption is directly obtained from tar extracted from the hemp plant grown in hot, moist climates. This is the most potent drug of the best quality and it is usually called hashish while two other processes result in production of the drug called "marijuana". It only means that hashish is stronger form of marijuana.
Marijuana or buds is considered to be the least addictive drug and many people think that it belongs to safe and benign substances. It means that you can take it or leave it without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The matter is that THC contained in marijuana is eliminated from the body slowly; it lasts for several days after the psychoactive effects have passed. It prevents the users from feeling a sudden withdrawal.
However, recent studies have revealed certain similarities between effects produced by marijuana and those from hard drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Scientists also claim that use of marijuana makes people more vulnerable to a harder drugs use. A tolerance to marijuana is developed in some cases. It means that the user needs to take larger doses to achieve the same effect that he used to get from smaller doses.
Even if taken as a given that use of marijuana doesn't lead to addiction, it shouldn't be forgotten that this drug can cause certain health problems independently of the forms of consumption. The short-term effects are increased heart rate and appetite, anxiety, distorted sense of time and space, muscular dyslexia, problems with learning and memorizing things, impaired concentration, balance and driving ability. Users feel relaxed, talkative and they are inclined to unreasonable laughter. Some of them experience panic, hallucinations especially the ones with mental disorders.
Heavy users of marijuana and hashish have the same problems with respiratory system as cigarette smokers. They may have daily cough, chest colds and chronic bronchitis. They are more likely to get lung infections. They are at high risk of cancer as there are some cancer-causing chemicals in these drugs. The drugs users also can have problems with reproductive system such as disruption in menstrual cycle or decreased sperm count.
Hashish and marijuana strongly affects learning and attention skills as well as perception and memory. Those teenagers who use these drugs have lower school achievements and more inclined to deviant behavior, they are more aggressive and have poor relations with family. It should also be noted that women having used marijuana during pregnancy give birth to children with lower weight than those having led healthy life style. In general these babies are at risk of having health problems and impaired motor development.
To conclude with it must be said that the effects don't depend on the forms of consumption. They are mostly the same for marijuana and hashish though there can be some differences regarding the duration and intensity of the high experienced.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
