Marijuana and hashish are both derived from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
The active ingredient in marijuana and hashish is called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is mainly found in the female cannabis plant. In male (and ambiguous) plants is only a minimal dose of THC. These plants are not consumed, but used in the cultivation of cannabis allowed for industrial use (oil, fiber, etc.).
The dried buds of the female hemp plant is called marijuana (or weed / weed). Marijuana looks like fine to coarse tea and varies in color from gray-green to greenish brown. Hash is made from the resinous layer that covers the tops of the female cannabis plant. This sticky substance is in many ways part of the plant and is separated into a light brown, green, brown or black substance kneaded together.
Ways of use
Marijuana and hashish are usually smoked in the form of a rolled cigarette with a cardboard filter (joint / stick), in a small pipe, in a bong or a vaporizer (Vaporiser).
Cannabis smoking is also called throttling or smoking dope.
Sometimes cannabis is processed into cakes (space cake) or tea. The effects will be slower (sometimes only after ninety minutes), but also lasts longer than the smoke.
Why is cannabis used?
The effects of cannabis can vary depending on the quantity, quality and the way you use cannabis, but also depend on your personality, your hopes and the situation you use in.
Marijuana and hashish usually enhances a feeling or a mood. If you feel good, it is likely a pleasant feeling of gaiety (a 'high' feeling) and a mild intoxication will be experienced. If you are anxious or down, you may start to feel even worse.
You will be sensitive to light and your pulse and breathing accelerates. You can also get clammy hands or a heavy feeling in your arms and legs. That is called 'stoned'. Sometimes you tend to laugh at trifles ("laughing") and get a hungry feeling and a strong desire for sweets ("munchies").
Users have the impression that cannabis stimulates their thinking and imagination and give them a positive outlook on the world. THC also increases the sensitivity and sensory changing the perception of time, allowing users to experience different realities.
Risks of cannabis use
Short-term
Cannabis increases the mood for the moment. If you feel bad, you may start to feel even worse. In people who are vulnerable or psychologically predisposed to psychotic disorders, cannabis use can trigger or exacerbate the problems.
A cannabis intoxication makes it difficult for users to concentrate, think logically and something to remember. Cannabis and work, study or traffic dont' go well together, even though users sometimes have the impression that everything goes smoothly.
Cannabis makes your blood pressure higher and ensures a faster heartbeat. That can be dangerous for people with heart problems.
With a high dose of THC you can become dizzy and nauseous and sometimes faint. This risk is especially high if you eat cannabis, because you can't estimate how much more THC you'll get.
A high dose of THC may also produce a lot of negative feelings such as intense anxiety, panic attacks, depression, restlessness, confusion and hallucinations. Those negative feelings, cause you to 'freak out'.
In the long term
Prolonged and frequent cannabis use reduces the power of concentration, memory and learning performance. After stopping use, these problems can persist for several months before they disappear.
People who use a lot and often, can become mentally dependent. This means that cannabis takes center stage in your thoughts, feelings and actions and to stop using is difficult.
Long-term cannabis use presents no risk of physical dependence, but may do harm to your health. Smoking is bad for your health. The same goes for smoking cannabis. A joint contains more tar than a cigarette. Even those who smoke cannabis pure (without tobacco), get a lot more tar inside their lungs. Therefore you run the risk of a lung disease (bronchitis, lung cancer, respiratory disease) or heart problems. Moreover, many cannabis smokers inhale the smoke more deeply, which increases the harm. Anyone who smokes cannabis with tobacco, can also become physically dependent on nicotine from tobacco.
More and more research is pointing in the direction that regular cannabis use permanent changesthe brain structure, especially among young users. The scientific debate is still underway, so caution should be taken untill more is known.
There are serious risks associated with smoking cannabis at a young age, including an increased risk of dependence and psychosis.
