It’s a journey for adults to navigate the eruptive landscape of modern ganja. Most of the hype online gravitates to the youthful smoker in search of a recreational high, and a tribe to share it with. For more mature minds, the plant is both a playful element of culture and a wide-ranging alternative to less natural pharmaceuticals. Whether you’re new to the weed, or rediscovering the much-changed territories of your youth, here’s help:
#1 – There are many strains of marijuana, and they have different effects
There are strains that are very helpful for chronic pain relief. Others can make one feel very focused and energized. Others can be relaxing and help ease a good night’s sleep. The hemp plant contains more than 70 compounds, called cannabinoids, in its leaves and flowers. The most commonly known of these cannabinoids is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive element. However, there are numerous non-psychoactive, yet highly therapeutic cannabinoids as well. Medicinal cultivators have developed and are currently producing potent CBD genetic strains that have little to no psychoactive effect, yet show immense promise in treating seizure disorders and more.
#2 – It won’t make you act like a loopy stoner
Marijuana does not cause long-term cognitive impairment in users that start after 21 years old. The short-term effects of marijuana include immediate, temporary changes in thoughts, perceptions and information processing. The cognitive process most clearly affected by marijuana is short-term memory. In laboratory studies, subjects under the influence of marijuana have no trouble remembering things they learned previously. However, they temporarily display diminished capacity to learn and recall new information. This diminishment only lasts for the duration of the intoxication. There is no convincing evidence that heavy long-term marijuana use permanently impairs memory or other cognitive functions.
Another common misconception aging adults have with marijuana is that can lower intelligence or cause brain damage . There is no documentation that shows that marijuana reduces or “kills brain cells.” Studies with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients indicate that marijuana gradually encourages new neural pathways, allowing those with impaired brain function to potentially halt further degeneration and even encourage brain function.
#3 – It’s not physically addictive like other intoxicants
People can use marijuana daily and then stop “cold turkey”. Discontinuing the use of marijuana has much the same response as quitting the consumption of coffee. Many people who seek welcome and effective respite from chronic pain, anxiety, and stress use marijuana as a daily medicine.
#4 – You can’t overdose on marijuana
While THC is virtually non-toxic to healthy cells or organs, and is incapable of causing a fatal overdose, marijuana’s health impact is wide ranging and depends on the way marijuana is ingested, as well as the specific constituents in the marijuana. Health effects of marijuana are related to the route, dose, frequency and duration of marijuana use. Currently, doctors may legally prescribe Marinol, an FDA-approved pill that contains 100 percent THC – but, critically, lacks other therapeutic, non-psychoactive compounds found in marijuana. The Food and Drug Administration found THC to be safe and effective for the treatment of nausea, vomiting and wasting diseases. When consumers encounter strong varieties of marijuana, they adjust their use accordingly and smoke less.
Marijuana has been proven helpful for treating the symptoms of a variety of medical conditions. The body’s endocannabinoid system may explain why. For many seriously ill people, medical marijuana is the only medicine that relieves their pain and suffering, or treats symptoms of their medical condition, without debilitating side effects. Marijuana’s medicinal benefits are incontrovertible, now proven by decades of peer reviewed, controlled studies published in highly respected medical journals. Marijuana has been shown to alleviate symptoms of wide range of debilitating medical conditions including cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), epilepsy, Crohn’s Disease, and glaucoma, and is often an effective alternative to narcotic painkillers
#5- Marijuana is safer than many commonly prescribed medications
Many adults take prescription drugs on a daily basis. The “side effects” of marijuana are insignificant in comparison to the side effects of many prescription drugs, and not a single person has ever died from a marijuana overdose. An ongoing 30-year study found that a person weighing 140 pounds would have to consume over 4 pounds of marijuana in one sitting to reach toxic levels, and that still would not be a fatal dosage. The powerful anti-oxidant effects of marijuana can provide relief for many disorders including liver inflammation from Hepatitis C, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, and many other serious medical conditions that all involve inflammation and oxidative damage.
#6 – Marijuana comes in many forms. You don’t need to smoke it
Smoking marijuana whether by joint, bong or vape is not the only way to use marijuana especially medicinally. It comes in a liquid extracts, infused honey, butter, or oil for cooking, and other edibles. It can also be used topically in ointments for pain relief of arthritis and neuropathy.
#7 – Marijuana can help increase appetite
One of the most dangerous health risks among mature individuals is loss of appetite, leading to weight loss. Marijuana has been extremely successful in alleviating nausea and as an appetite stimulant.
#8 – Marijuana is not a gateway to hard drugs
Most marijuana users never use any other illegal drug and the vast majority of those who do try another drug never become addicted or go on to have associated problems. Indeed, for the large majority of people, marijuana is a terminus rather than a so-called gateway drug. New evidence suggests that marijuana can function as an “exit drug” helping people reduce or eliminate their use of more harmful drugs by easing withdrawal symptoms.
#9 – What to know about dosages
There are differences between eating and smoking cannabis that should be kept in mind. This is because the active ingredients are absorbed by different parts of the body. The most traditional form of ingestion is smoking marijuana by pipe, joint or bong. The effect from smoking pot generally affects users immediately, but also begins to diminish immediately. Marijuana edibles take longer to start working — usually 30 to 60 minutes. However, the effects can last between 4 to 12 hours depending on the dose.
Because it may be hard to determine how much your body needs to medicate or get high, it’s best to wait at least one hour to assess the effect. New users or people with smaller frames might find 10 milligrams is too potent, and therefore might be better off starting with 5 milligrams.Weight, metabolism, gender and eating habits also play a role in how fast you’ll feel the effect from edibles. It is recommended that edibles be taken with food and not on an empty stomach, or the effect will intensify. If you feel like you’ve gone overboard on edibles, don’t panic. Remember, symptoms usually subside within a few hours. Stay calm, stay hydrated and eat food.
#10 – But, is it legal?
For those that seek marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, the ever-changing legal landscape can be an obstacle to say the least. To find updates in your area on legality for sale, cultivation, use and possession, here’s a handy link from NORML clarify all regulations by state.
