THE MEDICINAL USES OF CANNABIS/ Bhang And its Side Effects By

Today, Cannabis is one of the most widely used recreational drugs today. It comes from a genus of flowering plants that includes three species: Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis.It is native to the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Cannabis, also known as marijuana, pot, weed, or hashish, is a drug derived from hemp. Medical uses of cannabis are also called medical marijuana. The whole plant or its extract can help control or alleviate medical or psychological ailments.The effects  start immediately and last for 3-4 hours. Cannabis can be taken in tablet, capsule, oil, or oral spray form. Cannabis can also be smoked, baked into food, and made into a tea. In addition to being used as a recreational drug, it is also used in religious ceremonies and more recently  to treat a variety of ailments, from chronic pain to epilepsy.Cannabis is illegal in Pakistan for recreational use, although as of September 2020, cannabis extracts can be used for industrial and medical uses. Cannabis is widely consumed in Pakistan as charas and bhang. There is ongoing controversy regarding the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis, and especially the use of the drug in children. It is currently illegal in most places around the world. The use of medical cannabis is growing, especially in countries such as Belgium, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and some states in the United States. The legalization of marijuana in Uruguay has recently generated a lot of interest.

What are the components of cannabis? Cannabis consists of over 120 compounds known as cannabinoids. Experts still aren’t sure what each cannabinoid does, but they have a pretty good understanding of two of them, known as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). each has its own effects and uses :

CBD: It is a psychoactive cannabinoid, yet it’s non-narcotic and non-euphoric, that means it may not get you “high”. It’s far often used to reduce infection and pain. It could additionally relieve nausea, migraines, seizures and tension. (Epidiolex is the first and simplest prescription drug that incorporates CBD and is authorized by

the food and Drug management, or FDA. The drug is used to deal with certain kinds of epilepsy.) Researchers are nonetheless looking to absolutely understand the effectiveness of CBD’s medical use.

THC.  The psychoactive substance found in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can produce a variety of physical and mental effects, including euphoria, cognitive changes, and changes in appetite and memory.   While it can produce pleasurable effects, THC can also lead to side effects.The most common include coughing, fits, anxiety, paranoia, chest and lung discomfort, and “body buzzing.” and so on. Some people may also experience fainting, hallucinations, or cold sweats as a result of THC use.

Medicinal Importance of cannabis

CANNABINOID USES FOR  VARIOUS NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS:

Currently the pill form of “dronabinol” and “nabilone”received FDA approval only for induced nausea chemotherapy and to increase appetite in people with AIDS . Various studies have shown that cannabis and cannabinoids have beneficial effects on a variety of human neurological disorders,including neuropathic pain, migraines, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and motor neuron disease.

INDICATIONS WITH GOOD EVIDENCE: Epilepsy: Dronabinol and Nabilone were beneficial in various childhood-onset epilepsies including Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes that are resistant to traditional therapies. Their addition may reduce the median monthly seizure frequency by about 36.5%

Neuropathic and other types of pain: Cannabinoids can provide effective analgesia in conditions that are resistant to other treatments, including heat-resistant ones neuropathic pain caused by diabetes mellitus, central neuropathic pain, pain in cancer patients and in HIV positive patients. According to the study, about 90% of patients reported improvement in nerve pain after cannabis use.

 Pain Relif: Marijuana has an anti-inflammatory effect an effect that is actively used to treat and manage many diseases and health conditions. Medical prescriptions cannabis has helped patients suffering from conditions such as migraines,  rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Stop the spread of HIV: Hemp contains the active substance THC which has been found to slow and even completely stop the spread of human immunity.Cannabinoids, including THC, bind to receptors expressed by cells of the nervous and immune system. It has been shown to have beneficial immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing viral replication in the bloodstream. It was shown to suppress HIV replication in microglia, the major cell type that is productively infected in cells.

Lack of virus (HIV) in test of monkeys. During research, it was found that HIV-infected monkeys that received a daily dose of THC lived longer and they had higher levels of healthy cells in their bodies. Although cannabis is not a cure for HIV infection, it is useful in limiting the spread of the virus in the body and protects patients from progression to full-blown AlDS.

PHARMACOLOGY

The psychoactive substance found in cannabis is THC. Cannabis is smoked or ingested. The effect is felt within minutes. Post-ingestion bioavailability is only about 25% compared to inhalation. THC is highly fat-soluble, accumulates in adipose tissue, and has a half-life of about 7 days. Cannabinoids work in the brain by interacting with the body’s cannabinoid receptors. THC has been shown to release dopamine in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Cannabis is considered an anxiolytic, a sedative, a psychedelic, and an analgesic.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:  Consumption of cannabis can have a variety of psychological effects. It generally causes a feeling of being uplifted or ‘uplifted’. This may reduce anxiety and increase social interaction. It can also cause perceptual changes in which sensory stimuli such as colors and sounds are exaggerated or amplified. It also leads to delayed reaction times, impaired coordination, and short-term memory. Chronic use can also lead to “motivational syndrome,” characterized by a lack of energy and motivation.

Side effects of cannabis:

Cannabis is potentially dangerous when used in large amounts or over a long period of time. Hashish containing 50 mg or more THC that is safe to consume is linked to serious side effects. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can often be caused by consuming large amounts of cannabis. CHS results in severe nausea and vomiting that does not respond to regular anti-nausea pills. Additionally, using cannabis for at least 1-2 weeks can cause dependence. When inhaled cannabis is potentially dangerous when used in large amounts or over a long period of time.

Smoking or cannabis vapors can cause respiratory problems. Vaping products containing THC have been linked to severe lung damage. Regular smoking of hashish can also lead to CHS and/or dependence.

Heart Sickness: Cannabis can cause rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure. It also increases the risk of coronary heart attack.

End result and Allergies to Vegetables: Cannabis may increase the risk of allergies in people with hypersensitive reactions to ingredients such as tomatoes, bananas and citrus fruits.

Depression: Cannabis use may increase the chances for depression. It is capable of worsening the symptoms of depression and increasing suicidal thoughts in people who are already depressed.

Diabetes: Using cannabis makes it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. It can also increase the risk of long-term headaches from diabetes. Until further thought, be careful using hashish.

CONCLUSION: Cannabinoids have been found useful in many neurological and medical disorders.Some countries have already accepted marijuana as a soft drug, distinguishing it from more dangerous drugs. Various therapeutic properties can even be attributed to its use. Some believe that it should be banned. The scientific literature is reviewed to clarify these disagreements. Chronic marijuana use carries serious risks, especially in teenagers, and increases the incidence of psychotic and schizophrenic episodes, so use during pregnancy can cause fetal brain damage similar to fetal alcohol syndrome.Scientific studies have also shown that smoking marijuana causes more serious bronchial damage than cigarettes, and there is a risk of lung cancer. In summary, the notion that marijuana is a risk-free soft drug is a grave fallacy based on definitive scientific studies showing the opposite results.