Marijuana, also referred to as cannabis, weed, hash, grass and pot, has recently become the subject of much debate in Anguilla and indeed the entire Caribbean. There is growing evidence that marijuana has the potential for use in many medical conditions but, as with any substance, not all use is risk-free. More research is needed to figure out how to best treat the conditions that marijuana can help, and how to minimize any risks associated with medical or recreational use.
What is marijuana?
Marijuana is made from the dried leaves and buds of the Cannabis sativa plant. It is seen as “natural” because it is made from the cannabis plant, but that does not mean it is always safe. (Many plants grown in Anguilla are known to have severe side effects, e.g. even eating green ackee can be dangerous. The manchineel tree is made by God and is “natural”, but it is also one of the most poisonous trees in Anguilla). Marijuana can be smoked, often with tobacco, in a “joint” or “spliff”, or in a pipe or “bong”. It can also be drunk as a “tea” or eaten when mixed with food, such as biscuits or cakes. Marijuana is a calming drug that also alters perceptions.
Safety and side effects
The side effects of marijuana will vary depending on several factors, including how long the plant was dried, the varying percentages of ingredients and whether it is used with other herbs and medications. Medical marijuana use is generally considered safer than many other substances such as cocaine, but its use is associated with some side effects like headaches, dry mouth, dry eyes, lightheadedness, drowsiness, fatigue, coughs, paranoid thinking, a disconnected state (dissociation).
Marijuana and the brain
There are still so many questions about how marijuana affects the body and brain that scientists say far more research is needed.
One of marijuana’s active ingredients, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, interacts with the brain’s reward system, the part primed to respond to things that make us feel good, like eating and sex.
When overexcited by drugs, the reward system creates feelings of euphoria. This is also why some studies have suggested that excessive marijuana use can be a problem for some people – the more often you trigger that euphoria, the less you may feel during other rewarding experiences.
Marijuana may throw off your balance as it influences activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, two brain areas that help regulate balance, coordination, reaction time and posture. This might explain why it is so dangerous to drive while under the influence of marijuana. Marijuana can distort your sense of time as well. Despite what others might say , if you use marijuana or alcohol do not drive any vehicle.
Marijuana and anxiety
Regular marijuana use may also be connected to an increased risk of social anxiety. Some researchers feel that regular marijuana use is connected to an increased risk of social anxiety. As in other cases, it is hard to know whether marijuana use causes that increase or people use marijuana because of an increased risk of social anxiety.
Researchers think it is possible that CBD might be a useful treatment for anxiety disorders, and that is something that several researchers are currently trying to study.
Marijuana and depression
Doctors cannot say for sure whether marijuana causes depression or depressed people are simply more likely to smoke. One study from the Netherlands suggests that smoking weed could raise the risk of depression for young people who already have a special serotonin gene that could make them more vulnerable to depression.
There is some evidence of an increased risk among frequent marijuana users of developing schizophrenia – something that studies have shown is a concern for people at risk for schizophrenia in the first place.
Ganja and eating habits
Many users of marijuana are aware of changes in their eating habits. A case of the munchies is no figment of the imagination – both casual and heavy marijuana users tend to overeat when they smoke.
The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana appears to activate a component of those appetite-suppressing cells in our brain, making us feel hungry rather than satisfied even after eating.
Marijuana and your eyes
Moderate to heavy users of marijuana often have red eyes even in the absence of infection. This is due to the blood vessels becoming dilated with ganja use. Marijuana has been shown to be beneficial for some individuals with glaucoma. Marijuana might reduce the pressure in the eye caused by this eye condition.
Marijuana and your lungs
People who smoke marijuana regularly are more likely to experience chronic bronchitis, according to the several researchers. There is also evidence that stopping smoking relieves these symptoms. Some individuals use ganja for asthma relief and this is now being studied by several clinicians.
Marijuana use affects the lungs but does not seem to increase the risk of lung cancer.
Marijuana and sports
Some athletes, especially in certain endurance and adventure sports, say marijuana use can boost their athletic performance. This may be because of anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving effects that make it easier to push through a long workout or recover from one.
At the same time, there are ways that marijuana could impair athletic performance since it affects coordination and motivation, and dulls the body’s natural recovery process.
Without more research, it is hard to know how marijuana affects athletic performance.
Marijuana and pregnancy
There is evidence that marijuana use during pregnancy could have negative effects. There is substantial evidence showing a link between prenatal cannabis exposure – when a pregnant woman uses marijuana – and lower birth weight. There is limited evidence suggesting that using marijuana during pregnancy could cause complications and increase the risk that a baby would have to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Marijuana use and surgery
Marijuana has a central nervous system (CNS) depressant effect. As a result, marijuana use in combination with anaesthesia, or other drugs used during or after surgery, might cause an additive effect. Do not use marijuana two weeks before planned surgery.
Medical use of marijuana
There is a growing body of research and numerous anecdotal reports that link marijuana with several health benefits, including pain relief and the potential to help with certain forms of epilepsy. At the same time, we know that, as with any substance, not all use is risk-free.
Marijuana and pain
Marijuana contains cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical that is not responsible for getting you high but is thought to be responsible for many of marijuana’s therapeutic effects. Those benefits can include pain relief or potential treatment for certain kinds of childhood epilepsy. There is growing evidence that chronic pain, such as pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, can be relieved with the use of cannabis and is a common reason for individuals requesting medical marijuana in the United States.
Medical marijuana use is generally considered safe, but different strains of marijuana have different amounts of THC. This can make dosing marijuana difficult.
Marijuana and addiction
Marijuana has less potential for addiction and long-term consequences than other substances, including nicotine and alcohol. It is estimated that approximately 10 % of marijuana users become addicted. The risk of any substance abuse is especially high for young people who start early — age 14 or younger.
Marijuana use and teenagers
There is growing evidence that more and more teenagers in Anguilla are experimenting with drugs, including alcohol and marijuana. This is worrisome as these drugs can affect many organs including the developing brain of teenagers.
The risk of harm from marijuana, including the risk of schizophrenia, is higher if you start using it regularly from a teenager. Your risk of getting addicted is higher if you start using it in your teens as well.
Conclusion
Many experts agree that the misuse of marijuana can be harmful to your health in both the short term and the long term, and could possibly lead to addiction. There is growing consensus for the use of some ingredients in marijuana for certain medical conditions like chronic pain, vomiting, glaucoma, seizure disorders and many other conditions, but more research is needed in Anguilla and the Caribbean in determining how best we can use it – and the safest ways to use it and what the real risks are.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty-five years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
