Good morning Thrive and Survive Nation!
The topic of Cannabis Consumption or Marijuana Usage has been one which we have wanted to cover for a while due to receiving multiple requests on the subject by our subscriber base, so I am very excited for us to dip our toes into it and share some much needed guidance on the subject. We will be breaking this topic down into multiple parts so that the information can be easier to consume, but also so that we ensure we are providing a comprehensive overview on the subject.
Before I begin discussing this, I just want to make something crystal clear - I am not for, or against cannabis usage. I simply want to share information to help people make educated choices. I believe that all adults should have the freedom to consume whatever substance they want, as long as it's done responsibly and from an educated place.
Understood? Ok cool, lets talk weed.
The basics of marijuana and the body
This post will be broken down into a Q&A format to try to simplify things a little. In this post, we will look to address the following four questions:
- What is Marijuana and how does it work?
- What happens when THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body?
- What process is taking place in the brain and the body when we experience pleasure from smoking marijuana?
- How do the brain and body respond differently to marijuana when it is ingested orally vs. when it is smoked?
Q1. What is Marijuana and how does it work?
Marijuana, also known as cannabis or weed, is a psychoactive drug that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. The plant contains more than 100 compounds called cannabinoids, the most well-known of which is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Marijuana is typically dried and then smoked in a joint or pipe, although it can also be consumed in other forms such as edibles, tinctures, or topicals. When ingested, THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, leading to a range of effects, including altered perception, increased appetite, and relaxation.
Q2. What happens when THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body?
When THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, it produces a range of effects. The cannabinoid receptors are located in various parts of the brain and body, including the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
The specific effects of THC can vary depending on the individual and the dose of the drug consumed. Some of the most common effects include:
- Altered perception: THC can affect the way a person perceives time, space, and sensory stimuli. This can lead to feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and altered mood.
- Increased appetite: THC can stimulate the appetite, leading to an increased desire to eat or snack.
- Reduced pain and inflammation: THC has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve chronic pain and inflammation.
- Impaired memory and cognition: THC can impair short-term memory and cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate and learn new information.
- Coordination and balance issues: THC can impair coordination and balance, leading to difficulty with tasks that require physical dexterity.
- Increased heart rate: THC can increase heart rate, which can be dangerous for people with certain heart conditions.
Q3. What is the process that is taking place in the brain and the body when we experience pleasure from smoking marijuana?
When a person smokes marijuana, the active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), enters the bloodstream and eventually reaches the brain. Once in the brain, THC interacts with specific receptors, called cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that help regulate a variety of functions in the body, including mood, appetite, pain perception, and immune function. When THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, it can activate a series of cellular and molecular processes that lead to the characteristic effects of marijuana use.
One of the main effects of THC is an increase in dopamine release in the brain's reward pathway. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating mood and motivation, and is often associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. By increasing dopamine release, THC can create feelings of euphoria and pleasure, which are often described as a "high."
In addition to dopamine, THC can also affect other neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, such as serotonin, GABA, and glutamate, which can contribute to its complex effects on mood, cognition, and behavior.
Q4. How do the brain and body respond differently to marijuana when it is ingested orally vs. when it is smoked?
When a person ingests marijuana in the form of an edible, the active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is metabolized by the liver and converted into a different compound, 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is more potent than THC and can produce stronger effects.
Because the process of metabolizing THC into 11-hydroxy-THC takes longer than smoking, the effects of edibles can take longer to onset and may last longer than smoking. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours for the effects of an edible to peak, depending on factors such as the individual's metabolism, the dose of THC, and the type of food ingested.
In addition to the differences in onset and duration of effects, ingesting marijuana in the form of an edible can also produce different types of effects compared to smoking. Because the effects of edibles are more potent and longer-lasting, they may be more intense and prolonged than smoking. Edibles may also produce different types of effects, such as more pronounced body effects, which can be beneficial for certain medical conditions such as chronic pain.
However, edibles also carry a higher risk of overconsumption and overdose due to the delayed onset of effects. Because the effects take longer to onset, it can be easy to consume too much before feeling the full effects, leading to unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects.
Overall, the differences in how the brain and body respond to marijuana when ingested as an edible compared to smoking it are largely due to differences in how the active ingredients are metabolized and how quickly they reach the brain.
In our next post on this topic, we will look into the research papers that have been published with regards to marijuana usage, the insights from these papers and what they are likely to mean for those who regularly consume cannabis in one form or another. Stay tuned for next time on the Thrive and Survive Wellness Wednesdaty series!
AR
More of The Thrive and Survive Research Hub:
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