Mysterious Marijuana: Myths and Realities

Whatever you name it: weed, pot, herb, hashish, tobacco, marijuana — no other plant in existence has sparked much debate. Is weed a harmful drug that has harmed people over time? Or does it conceal secrets that might alter how it is viewed? Let's take a look at the theories, facts, and potential benefits of this notorious drug.

Myth1: Marijuana Is A Gateway To Addiction

Marijuana has been dubbed the "gateway drug" for decades and it is often the first drug people try. It is the most widely used street drug in the United States and Canada. According to Yahoo and The Marist Institute's poll, 55 million Americans have taken opioid at least once in their lives. Because of its widespread use, it may serve as a gateway drug for certain people. The suggestion that it tempts people to progress to tougher drugs, on the other hand, is pure conjecture. There is no suggestion that smoking encourages the use of other substances. “There appears to be this belief that we should deter later addiction issues by making sure kids never smoke pot,” says Dr. Karen van Gundy, a researcher at the University of New Hampshire. However, whether pot smokers move on to use other illegal drugs is determined by socioeconomic conditions such as depression and unemployment, rather than whether they smoked a joint in eighth grade.

Myth 2: Marijuana Is More Addictive Than Tobacco And Alcohol

Marijuana has the potential to contribute to drug abuse. People who start smoking pot before they turn 18 are more likely to have drug abuse problems than those who start while they are adults, according to research. However, several tests have shown that alcohol and cigarettes are more harmful than marijuana over time. In an interview for a Live Science post, Ruben Baler, health scientist administrator for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said that the negative effects of alcohol are much more direct and immediate than marijuana use. Amphetamine, according to Gary Murray of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, is also more harmful than marijuana because it is more likely to interact with other medications.

COPYRIGHT_WI: Published on https://washingtonindependent.com/mysterious-marijuana-myths-and-realities/ by Jaya Mckeown on 2017-08-14T11:29:00.000Z

Myth 3: Marijuana Is An Herb, So It Cannot Be Harmful

People believe marijuana isn't dangerous because it's natural. If the results aren't immediate, researchers have found links between its use and negative health consequences. For example, based on the amount consumed, it will impair the brain's capacity to absorb information, affecting one's ability to drive. The National Institutes of Health cited pervasive marijuana use by American adolescents in 2016, citing symptoms such as delayed cerebral growth, depression, and insomnia. Cannabis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), can cause chronic bronchitis. Although the evidence for marijuana's toxic effects is insufficient to draw a firm conclusion, it is far from innocuous.

Myth 4: Marijuana Has Only Short-term Physical Effects

Marijuana, like any other illegal drug or even prescribed medication, may have negative consequences. It all comes down to determining how much is too much. Marijuana is seen as a rite of passage for some young people. Such consumers are unable to face any long-term effects. Affected vision, speech, and thinking are some of the short-term signs. Those that become dependent on marijuana and become chronic patients, on the other hand, are likely to experience much more issues, much like an addict or a chain smoker. To claim that marijuana is a predator, though, is an exaggeration.

Myth 5: Marijuana Leads To Crime

The connection between marijuana and crime is as old as marijuana itself. Anything illegal or morally immoral has a negative connotation. This isn't to suggest the bad impressions are completely unfounded. Research published in 2013 by the Office of National Drug Control Policy found a clear connection between drug use and violence. Another research from 2016 showed that long-term cannabis consumption would lead to aggressive activity. ever, it can be argued that statistically correlative studies' findings can not take into account subjective considerations such as social status or personality characteristics.

Myth 6: Legalizing Marijuana Will Increase Its Use

Marijuana legalization is not a novel concept. Eight states and Washington, D.C. have made marijuana legal, and countries like the Netherlands and Germany have made it partly legal. Legalizing marijuana, according to writer Austin Smith, has a number of benefits. It provides socio-economic incentives such as jobs and improved tax revenue. One of the main arguments against drug legalization is the possibility of motivating youth to use it further. However, according to a study of youth activity in the United States, teen drug use has decreased over the last two decades. According to federal figures, teen pot use in Colorado decreased after the state legalized the drug.

Myth 7: Marijuana Causes Mental Illness And Brain Damage

Since weed is an illegal substance, it has been cloaked in rumors fueled by racism and paranoia. The National Academies of Sciences found only modest signs of a connection between marijuana usage and cognitive decline in a report. In terms of mental wellbeing, the study found a connection between repeat cannabis users and disorders like schizophrenia. Although high doses of marijuana can induce mental disease, there is no definitive evidence that marijuana induces brain injury.

Myth 8: Marijuana Cannot Possibly Have Medicinal Benefits

The use of marijuana for healing dates to over 3,000 years, when it was used to relieve pain and control epilepsy, according to the US National Cancer Institute. It's not a recent trend; opioid medications like tetrahydrocannabinol have been marketed legally in the United States for many years. Cannabinoids are useful for treating symptoms including nausea, discomfort, and muscle stiffness. In 2012, researchers at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom found that weed supported 30 percent of 300 multiple sclerosis patients in their study. Cannabinoids are useful for treating debilitating pain in adults as well as epileptic seizures, according to a 2017 National Academies of Sciences study on marijuana's health effects. Despite the fact that current research on marijuana's medicinal benefits is lacking, its curing properties are well known, and it has been approved for medical use in many countries.

Myth 9: Marijuana Works Miracles In Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerves are weakened as a result of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma can be regulated by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). In this sense, research suggests that smoking marijuana can lower IOP. Marijuana, on the other hand, will only minimize IOP for a few hours, which is why ophthalmologists advise against using it as a drug.

Myth 10: Medicinal Marijuana Reverses Cancer

Marijuana has recently become a buzzword on social media, with claims that it will reverse or treat cancer. Although it has been proven that medical cannabis relieves the side effects of chemotherapy, and animal trials have shown that cannabinoids reduce tumor development, there is not enough evidence to say unequivocally that marijuana can cure cancer.

Marijuana Mysteries: The Journey Continues

The planet is in the middle of medical advancements, including increased marijuana speculation. In this setting, it remains to be seen if marijuana is elevated to higher levels of healthcare or whether it merely proceeds on its colorful path over time. But one thing is certain: along the way, theories and stereotypes will change as well.

About The Authors

Jaya Mckeown - Jaya moved to Boston from New York to pursue a master's degree in corporate communications at Emerson College. This experience, combined with her undergraduate degree in psychology and teaching, has equipped her with valuable skills that she employs on a daily basis in real estate negotiations, homebuyer and seller education, and successful promotion of the team's listings. Jaya's clients often characterize her as meticulous, proactive, and enjoyable to be around.