The Science of Cannabis: An exploration into the world of Cannabis

in #steemstem6 years ago (edited)

You probably know it as Marijuana, the popular dried leaves of the hemp plant that are commonly smoked as a drug, one of the most felonious drug ever lived on earth you would also add as well.

Cannabis, a fiber of hemp with many nicknames including ganja, Mary Jane, weed among others was found to evolve from central Asia around 500BC before being introduced to Africa, Europe and other parts of the world having an history that goes back as far as 12,000 years placing the plant among the oldest cultivated crops on earth. Certainly, there's more to cannabis than just making thick ropes out of it and smoked. Cannabis is a fast-growing plant easy to cultivate with numerous uses. It was grown on many plantation for use in clothing, rope, paper and it's seed were used for food.

Welcome to my blog this time again as we explore the educational world of cannabis.

SCIENCE Of CANNABIS



Pixabay: Cannabis

Cannabis (cannabis sativa) are leaves of hemp plant, they come as male and female plants. The male are found taller and thinner raised for the production of hemp fibre while the female are dark with short branches containing abundance of psychoactive substances. Cannabis are known to contain psychoactive properties, it is commonly smoked, eaten and brewed in tea and may also have it's ingredients mixed with other foods. Cannabis are used recreational, as medicinal drugs and as well used for some religious and spiritual purpose making the plant highly spread all over the world.
Understanding the science of Cannabis began in the mid-1960s with the identification of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as marijuana’s main active ingredient. Other ingredients of the plant includes cannabidiol, cannabinol,
tetrahydrocannabivarin etc.

WHAT IS THC?


You might have probably come across the acronym THC and if not, here you have it.
THC is an acronym for the awkward chemical compound in cannabis that makes you high. Tetrahydrocannabinol,
technically being referred to as
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as cannabinoids. It is the primary psychoactive substance found inside the dried leaves of the female cannabis plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol contains the right molecular structure making the cannabinoid the most powerful ingredient of the
cannabis plant with intoxicating and psychoactive effects. THC is an active cannabinoid produced by cannabis plant causing the psychoactive effect- the feeling of highness or euphoria 'the feeling of well-being or elation'. THC is said to have both psychological and physiological effects, It is psychoactive, definitely affects the mind and offcourse affects the body as they are both connected.

EFFECTS OF THC

Not only did scientists identified the active ingredient in cannabis but have also studied over time the effects of marijuana and how it affects the brain when taken. Understanding the effect of THC might require you picking up new vocabularies but trust me, it's a key to understanding TCH and how it affects the mind and body.
Let's start with the ECS, The Endocannabinoid system. ECS simply refers to a collection of cell receptors found in the body system concentrating in the areas of brain concerned with memory, pleasure, thinking, coordination etc. They are as well found in the central nervous system and the immune systems. You can picture the cell receptors as a lock on the cells surface and the key to these locks are chemical substances referred to as agonists.

HOW DOES THC AFFECTS THE BODY?

The endocannabinoid system are the cell receptors that responds to this agonists and the key to these receptors are known to be Endocannabinoids. These cell receptors regulates most of the psychological and physiological actions of the body for day-to-day function, these helps regulate sleep, mood, pleasure, memory among others.
Endocannabinoid are therefore the key or chemical messengers that tells the body to get this processes in action or when to stop. The body produces these endocannabinoids naturally with the help of fatty acids. Actually, one can be in trouble when the body fails to produce enough of these endocannabinoids.
As nature would have it, hemp plants contains quality source of endocannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from the cannabis plant is like the body's natural endocannabinoids, they are the nature's key that fits the the lock in the endocannabinoids system. Therefore, when marijuana is consumed (containing THC), they act as much like the cannabinoids made by the body.
The Tetrahydrocannabinol quickly reaches the brain and competes with the brain endocannabinoids, binds with the cell receptors that regulates dopamine (neurotransmitters in the brain) activity thereby causing high dopamine release providing this positive feeling of marijuana Highness- affecting thinking, memory movements and generally taking control of the body activities.

When Cannabis is taken, either inhaled or smoked, the feeling of euphoria is almost immediate with quick action but takes a longer time for the drug to signal the brain to perform neuro-transmitting actions when ingested in food or other ways.

MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF THC?

As Tetrahydrocannabinol has become synonymous with marijuana, it's medical benefits can be overlooked due to social and legal agitations that have been attached to it. Tetrahydrocannabinol is found in a wide range of medical benefits. Cannabis plants are used medically as recommended by physician. Medical marijuana are used in treating health problems, they are specially grown to have less of the chemicals causing highness. In a case when body does not produce enough endocannabinoids or rather cannot regulate them properly, tetrahydrocannabinol can be taken for better system performance and not to get high.

Cannabis has been used medicinally over years to treat health conditions but as government of major states across the world still considers it illegal, it limit researchers obtaining more evidence of health benefit in their clinical trials. Researchers have it that only government grown cannabis can be use in clinical trials. However, much research is being done and additional evidence indicates that cannabis may be used for pain relievers, muscle seizures, nausea, anxiety and appetite stimulants. Cannabis are also found in the form of recreational use mainly for getting high but under legal constraints in most part of the world.

EFFECTS OF CANNABIS


Cannabis may cause certain problem when abuse or wrongly used. The short term effect of abusively used cannabis includes decreases in IQ, redness of eyes, dry mouth etc. while long term side effects includes getting addicted especially with young people, decrease mental ability among others.

CONCLUSION

Apparently, the effect of cannabis has made it a popular substance. It is commonly used as medicinal drugs or recreational purposes, also found in use for some religious or spiritual purposes. Abuse of Cannabis may pose physical , mental or social health consequences to users and the community at large.

Finally, Abuse of drugs hasn't been a healthy way of living life, the life of the so-called science students (Nigerians will relate better). Let's live to be responsible and not aspire highness state but a state of passion discovering and purpose fulfilment. Together, we can put end to drug abuse, get people off life-threatening substances and save lives.

REFERENCES

Heads up

Livescience

Sciencealert

High times

Herb

History

Wikipedia

Recovery

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Where are the ganja farmers? The science students...

Cannabis is more than popular for the wrong reasons.. It's nice to know I could also be helpful in a good way.

Now I know that THC is the bad guy!

Thanks for this educative post.

Nice post, i see this substances has stimulants and when they are put into good use, ofcourse in the right proportion are very effective medically. The so-called science student, i tag as ignorance of the highest order (a shallow state of mind)

It's nice to learn about something that is the bane of our society.

When dopamine is secreted in large quantities, it creates an euphoria and makes you feel like you are on top of the world and you can do anything, thats the reason why drug addicts are often seen doing some things a sane person wouldn't normally do. However, some of these drugs are effective in tge treatment of some diseases, even depression. Weldone for the educating post

If you've seen this Hollywood movie "mac and devin goes to high school" featuring the two popular world rappers in snoop dog and wiz khalifa you would probably know more.. This isn't the first time i am hearing that word Tetrahydocannabinol in fact i am more conversant with that word. as it has it bad side. Its good side is it has the ability to conduct electricity in some ways. I would probably suggest you see that movie.. It broke every hints and facts about cannabis to pieces.. Cannabis sativa and cannabis indica

Thanks for this post mate. The lord is your strength

Oh! That's awesome
Definitely gon check that out.
Thanks for stopping-by

Hello Kenny, this is an explicit and very informative article. Your explanation of the mechanism of THC in the brain makes things clearer. Addicts and smokers should read this and see that they are altering their brain chemistry.

On another note, cannabis is widely known for its bad effects and abuse. I never actually knew there was any good in cannabis.

Kudos!

It is illegal in so many countries, because many people (especially young people) would abuse it and to avoid that many countries are still talking about the legalisation. I think it's great that it's used in medicine, but you definitely should be careful with it. Thank you for sharing all these interesting facts with us :)

Hello! I find your post valuable for the wafrica community! Thanks for the great post! @wafrica is now following you! ALWAYs follow @wafrica and use the wafrica tag!

I think everyone should know what they are taking in as either medicine or rcreational drug. Good one here.

I am not familiar with THC, but I've been familiar with the fact that Cannabis is used for medicinal reasons, I even think some of them gives permit to citizens for medicinal use. If you've seen Tyler Perry's "Madea's Halloween", you'll get my drift.

I suppose they are too any good substances out there whose benefits have been overshadowed by illegal abuse of such substances.

Very informative, I've been well educated. Bravo

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