No Scrubs Notes: Cannabis

What is THC?

• Delta (9) tetrahydro- cannabinol (THC), is the main active ingredient that is found in cannabis plants (marijuana).
• This sedative-hypnotic substance is what causes psychological effects that occur in the brain after consumption.
• THC stimulates cells in the brain (cannabinoid receptors) to release dopamine, creating a euphoric sensation. It also interferes with how information is processed in the hippocampus, which is part of the brain responsible for forming new memories.

How can smoking mentally affect you?

• According to Dineen Wagner (2019), the over consumption of cannabis in young adults is five times higher probability of being diagnosed with a psychotic disorder compared with cannabis nonusers.
• It was found that young adults are 1.4 times more likely to develop depression, 1.2 times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder, and young adults who use cannabis daily are significantly 3.5 times more likely to attempt suicide (Dineen Wagner, 2019).
• Cannabis use each year was also associated with impaired control of the brain’s automatic urges (attention, behaviour, thoughts, emotions, etc…) and working memory a year later. This is a major concern given that infrequent cannabis use still causes cognitive changes, even with small increases in the amount being consumed (Dineen Wagner, 2019).

How can smoking physically affect you?

-Long term cannabis use had an increased incidence of respiratory symptoms like chronic cough, sputum production, dyspnoea, hoarse voice, and chest tightness

– Furthermore, marijuana smoke contains many of the same compounds as, and shares comparable properties with, cigarette smoke, respiratory symptoms would be expected

– Chronic persistent, progressive airway narrowing, damage to the alveoli (emphysema) and effects on small airways

-Smoking any products can lead to lung damage and can increase risk of bronchitis, and scarring small blood vessels

What resources are available through the community?