Marijuana (cannabis, plan, dope), marijuana addiction - symptoms and treatment

Cannabinoids (marijuana)

Hemp has long been grown both for the production of hemp twine and for use as a medicinal and narcotic drug. The smoke formed during its combustion contains many different substances, among which 61 compounds related to cannabinoids have been identified. One of them, A-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A-9-THC), reproduces almost all the pharmacological properties of marijuana smoke.

According to sociological surveys, marijuana is the most frequently used illegal psychoactive substance in the United States. Its use peaked in the late 1970s, when 60% of high school students had experience using marijuana, and 11% used it daily. By the mid-1990s, these figures had dropped to 40% and 2%, respectively. It should be noted that high school student surveys may have underestimated the prevalence of drug use, since the survey was not conducted among school dropouts. According to one recent study, marijuana use has again increased among eighth-grade students in the United States. Since marijuana is perceived as a drug that is less dangerous than other drugs, its use has increased, especially in the 10-15 age group. In addition, the potency of marijuana preparations distributed through illegal channels has increased significantly, which is determined by a higher concentration of THC.

In recent years, cannabinoid receptors have been identified in the brain. They have since been cloned. Although the physiological role of these receptors remains unclear, they have been found to be widely distributed in the brain. They are especially dense in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum. The distribution of cannabinoid receptors is similar in several mammalian species, indicating that these receptors have been fixed in the course of evolution. An endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors, anandimide, a derivative of arachidonic acid, has been isolated. Perhaps these scientific advances will help to better understand the mechanisms of marijuana abuse and dependence.

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Therapeutic effects of marijuana

Marijuana has been reported to have several beneficial effects. It has been shown to reduce nausea that occurs as a side effect of chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer, has a muscle relaxant effect, is an anticonvulsant, and reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma. AIDS patients report that smoking marijuana improves appetite and helps prevent weight loss that is common with the disease. A similar effect is seen in terminal cancer patients. However, these beneficial effects come at the cost of a psychotropic effect that can interfere with normal functioning. Thus, the question of whether marijuana is superior to traditional treatments for these conditions remains open. Marinol (dronabinol) is a synthetic cannabinoid that is taken orally to relieve nausea or lose weight. Proponents of smoking marijuana (which remains illegal) argue that oral administration does not allow adequate titration of the dose. Therefore, dronabinol is not as effective as smoking the plant product. With the cloning of cannabinoid receptors and the discovery of their endogenous ligand, there is hope that drugs will be developed that can provide the therapeutic effects of marijuana, but without its psychotropic side effects.

Cannabinoid dependence syndrome. Tolerance to most of the effects of marijuana develops in both humans and laboratory animals. Tolerance may develop rapidly, after just a few doses, but it also disappears just as quickly. However, in laboratory animals, tolerance to high doses of the drug may persist for a long period after its administration has ceased. Withdrawal symptoms are usually absent in patients who seek medical attention. In practice, relatively few individuals ever require treatment for marijuana dependence. However, a marijuana withdrawal syndrome has been described in humans. In an experimental situation, withdrawal symptoms may occur after regular oral administration of high doses of marijuana. In clinical practice, it is observed only in individuals who have used marijuana daily and then stopped its administration. Compulsive or regular marijuana use does not appear to be motivated by fear of withdrawal symptoms, although this issue requires systematic study. In 1997, approximately 100,000 individuals were treated for marijuana dependence, according to data from substance abuse program staff.

Clinical aspects of marijuana action

The pharmacological action of A-9-THC depends on the dose, route of administration, duration and frequency of use, individual susceptibility and circumstances of use. The toxic effect of marijuana is manifested by changes in mood, perception, motivation. But the main effect for which most people use marijuana is a feeling of euphoria. People who use drugs claim that the "high" obtained from psychostimulants and opioids is different. The effect depends on the dose, but on average the feeling of euphoria after smoking marijuana lasts for about 2 hours. During this time, changes in cognitive functions, perception, reaction time, memory, and learning ability are observed. Impaired coordination of movements and the ability to follow moving objects persist for several hours after the regression of euphoria. These disorders can significantly complicate driving a car or studying at school.

Marijuana also produces other complex phenomena, such as a sense of accelerated thought or increased hunger. Increased sexual sensations or insights are sometimes reported as a result of the marijuana high. However, there are no studies that attempt to objectively evaluate these claims.

Unpleasant reactions, such as panic attacks or hallucinations and even acute psychosis, may also occur. Several surveys have shown that 50-60% of marijuana users have experienced such distressing experiences at least once. They are more likely to occur with higher doses and with oral ingestion rather than with smoking marijuana, since the latter allows the dosage to be adjusted depending on the effect obtained. Although there is no convincing evidence that marijuana can cause a schizophrenia-like syndrome, there are numerous clinical reports that it can provoke a relapse in people with a history of schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia in remission are especially sensitive to the negative effects of marijuana on mental status.

One of the most controversial effects attributed to marijuana is its ability to cause “amotivational syndrome.” This term is not an official diagnosis; it is used to describe the condition of young people who have withdrawn from all social activity and show no interest in school, work, or other goal-oriented activities. When these symptoms occur in a person who abuses marijuana, the drug is considered to be the cause. However, there is no evidence to demonstrate a causal relationship between marijuana use and loss of motivation. Marijuana has not been shown to damage brain cells or cause any lasting functional changes. Experimental data show that impairment of the ability to navigate a maze persists for several weeks after the last dose. This is consistent with clinical data showing that mental status gradually normalizes after long-term high-dose marijuana users stop using the drug.

Withdrawal symptoms when stopping marijuana use

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• EEG changes during sleep
• Nausea, muscle spasms
• Hallucinogens

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Marijuana Addiction Treatment

There is no specific treatment for marijuana abuse or dependence. Marijuana abusers may suffer from concomitant depression and require antidepressant treatment, but this issue requires an individual decision. It should be taken into account that pronounced affective symptoms may occur as the effect of marijuana wears off. The residual effect of the substance may persist for several weeks.