Cannabis, also known by the names marijuana or hashish depending on the form in which it is presented, is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant substance, which has several molecules with psychoactive effects, including a molecular compound known as name “tetrahydrocannabinol” (THC).
On the other hand, another of the characteristics of marijuana is the high degree of acceptance it enjoys, and its use is very common in countries around the world, especially among adolescents and young people. However, just because it is relatively popular does not mean that this drug is harmless.
The combination of economic interests behind cannabis, on the one hand, the complexity of how drugs work, on the other, and the fact that the consumption of these products remains taboo in many aspects, has led to the emergence of a There are a large number of myths about marijuana, which exposes people to misinformation and risk-taking when consuming this substance out of pure ignorance. Therefore, in this article we will review the main false beliefs about marijuana
Below we will explain the false beliefs about marijuana consumption that tend to occur most frequently.
1. Marijuana is a natural product
The concept of “natural” is widely used as an adjective in the world of marketing, since this is a diffuse idea to which, however, positive qualities are associated. In this case, both in countries where the sale of marijuana is legal and in those where it is not, it has been implemented an advertising system in favor of cannabis according to which this is a natural product because it is not created in laboratories through the synthesis of molecules, but is obtained by making minimal changes to the parts of a plant.
But we must keep in mind that nature is full of highly toxic elements that are harmful to health. That marijuana is called a “natural product” (that is, it can be consumed without having been artificially processed) and comes from a plant does not mean that it cannot cause health problems, since in that sense tobacco and opium They are also natural (although tobacco usually has many added chemicals, since natural tobacco can also cause long-term health problems).
And, on the other hand, the cannabis plants used to create the product are far from being the organisms that we can find in nature; In the vast majority of cases they are the fruit of artificial selection for generations , so those in which the amount of THC is greater are selected to increase the addictive potential of the drug. Thus, human intervention is in the same DNA of the plant that is used to sell marijuana.
2. Marijuana is harmless to health
One of the main false beliefs about marijuana consumption is the thought that some people think that marijuana is harmless to health because it is an “ecological” and natural substance, which is derived from the myth that we have seen before..
One of the most notable problems with prolonged marijuana use is the alterations that various studies have shown that it causes at the brain level In addition, it can cause a host of physical and psychological problems, such as those we are going to mention below.
It should be noted that the findings of several studies published in 2022 highlighted that if marijuana is consumed during pregnancy this could cause anxiety and hyperactivity in the baby.
In the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 that was published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), “cannabis use disorder” and “cannabis intoxication” are reflected, being the main ones Symptoms of intoxication are the following: when recurrent consumption occurs, it can cause problematic behavior and even quite significant psychological changes (for example, euphoria, motor incoordination, anxiety, impaired judgment, etc.).
Furthermore, when cannabis poisoning occurs, two or more of the following symptoms may occur: considerable increase in appetite, tachycardia, dry mouth, and conjunctival injection.
In order to diagnose a cannabis use disorder, it must have been used frequently for a long time symptoms such as the following have appeared for at least 1 year: there is a desire or persistent efforts to stop using marijuana, spending too much time in activities that are necessary to obtain marijuana, there is a powerful desire to use marijuana, frequent consumption It causes the person to fail to fulfill their obligations at work or study, they consume more and more quantities, etc.
3. Since it has some therapeutic effects, nothing happens when smoking a joint.
Among the false beliefs about the consumption of marijuana we can find that there are those who believe that since it has some therapeutic effects, there is nothing wrong with smoking it. However, medical uses carried out under the supervision of professionals are far from recreational consumption, so It cannot be said to be therapeutic if it has not been prescribed by a doctor in which case the recommended quantities should not be exceeded.
It should be noted that there are studies that have found that marijuana could help combat pain, as long as it is consumed under medical supervision and without exceeding the prescribed quantities. However, the data on its therapeutic effectiveness today are still insufficient, so more studies would be necessary to demonstrate it.
4. Marijuana does not cause addiction
Another false belief about marijuana consumption that occurs quite frequently is the fact that some people think that marijuana consumption cannot cause addiction, which is why they also They have the belief that they could stop using drastically without consequences There is numerous research that has been able to show that prolonged consumption usually causes addiction, especially if consumption begins during adolescence.
It is worth mentioning that the “cannabis withdrawal syndrome” is reflected in the DSM-5, the main symptoms being: when marijuana consumption is abruptly stopped, after having been consuming frequently for a long period of time, they can reach 3 or more symptoms may occur such as aggression, anger or irritability, anxiety or nervousness, insomnia, notable loss of appetite and even weight loss, restlessness, depressed mood and perhaps even some physiological symptoms (tremors, sweating, fever, chills, abdominal pain or headaches.
5. Marijuana is much less harmful to health than tobacco
One of the false beliefs about marijuana consumption that is often found is the thought that marijuana is not as harmful to health as tobacco is.
What actually happens is that it has been shown that Cannabis contains a high percentage of the carcinogens found in tobacco and also in a higher quantity (up to 50% more). On the other hand, when you smoke a marijuana joint without a filter and inhale the smoke deeply, the risk of suffering from cancer is considerably increased.
Likewise, when smoking marijuana, a bronchodilator effect is produced, so that the absorption of various toxic substances increases, just as occurs with tobacco. Therefore, smoke from marijuana joints can also be harmful to passive smokers.
Related article: “What is psychological treatment for cannabis addiction?”
6. Marijuana cannot cause mental disorders
One of the most dangerous false beliefs about marijuana use is the thought that its use cannot cause mental illness.
The reality is that at any time of cannabis addiction, even having consumed very little amount for a short time, can trigger various psychiatric disorders the most common being depressive disorders, psychotic outbreaks or even schizophrenia can develop, so great caution should be taken when consuming marijuana recreationally, since the serious consequences that can be triggered could occur. to be irreversible.
7. It is not dangerous to drive if you have just consumed marijuana
Among the main false beliefs about marijuana consumption there is one that is very dangerous for road safety and it is the thought that some people have who believe that if they have smoked a joint they are not in danger if they drive a vehicle afterwards.
The truth is that if you drive a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, Not only is one’s own life at risk, but also that of the people and their companions who are in the vehicles that circulate around so this could be the most dangerous false belief about cannabis use.
It is dangerous to drive a vehicle when marijuana has been consumed because this substance produces a considerable decrease in attention, causes reaction time to increase, so responses and reflexes will be slower, it can considerably distort reality and also prevents the person from correctly calculating distances, which could cause them to crash into another vehicle.
Another problem that occurs quite frequently is when a person drives a vehicle having consumed marijuana and alcohol, it is not at all strange to read or see various news items on television reporting an accident caused by a driver who had tested positive for alcohol and cannabis or other substances.
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