Cannabis Research Paper

The use of cannabis for medical purposes is an on-going issue. Cannabis has been used for hundreds of years for medical purposes to treat anxiety, mood disorders, pain, and many other things. It is a natural growing plant that is slowly making its way into the modern day medical field.
Introduction
Cannabis comes from the plant Cannabis sativa. Cannabis contains many psychoactive compounds that affect the endogenous cannabinoid receptor system, of which delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been identified as the compound primarily responsible for the subjective “high” experienced by users1. The reason for developing pharmacological use of cannabis is clear. There are an estimated 160 million current cannabis users worldwide, and the number …show more content…
Neuronal cannabinoid receptors are termed CB1 receptors and have been found in rat, guinea pig, dog, monkey, pig and human brains and peripheral nerves. The CB2 receptor, a second cannabinoid, was found in macrophages within the spleen and other immune cells. THC is a partial agonist of the CB1 receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor that is expressed in the brain at the highest concentrations in the basal ganglia (motor control), cerebellum (sensorimotor coordination), hippocampus (memory), and cortex (higher-order …show more content…
It includes feelings of decreased alertness, decreased amount of anxiety, a feeling of intoxication, and decreased depression, among others. The euphoric effect occurs within a few minutes and can last 2 hours or more, depending on the amount taken. Cannabis is recreationally clearly for pleasure, but it can also have reactions that produce anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, and panic.
Cardiovascular effects.
Cannabinoids can produce tachycardia that is does related of up to 160 beats per minute or higher, however, tolerance does develop after chronic use. A characteristic sign of cannabis use is reddening of the conjunctivae and vasodilation that is widespread. Fainting and postural hypotension can occur. Other cardiovascular effects can have a risk for those with preexisting cardiac disease, and in some cases of acute and fatal cardiac issues have been reported within some young cannabis smokers.
Effects on the respiratory system.
Bronchitis and emphysema are associated with chronic use of cannabis. Some authors suggest that bronchogenic carcinoma and chronic airways disease may be just as great as that of tobacco smoking. In young people who chronically smoke cannabis, there has been an increased incidence of rare forms of oropharyngeal

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