11/9/2016

Marijuana:TheBenefitsandDisadvantages

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Marijuana: The Benefits and Disadvantages

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Mikha Canon in St Mark James

Definition of Marijuana and Its Mechanism in the

Body
There have been plenty of debates and conflicting views on marijuana, whether it is beneficial or detrimental
to health, safe or dangerous to one, if it should be legalized or prohibited, allowed for medical purposes or
barred. But before all the discussion on whether it should be legalized or not, a clear, good definition of
marijuana and its effects to a normal, healthy person and a diseased person should first be examined.
Marijuana is the second most illegally used drug in the Philippines, next only to Methamphetamine
Hydrochloride, or more commonly known as shabu (Dangerous Drugs Board, 2008). Marijuana is a greenishgray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant. It is also commonly
called weed, pot, grass, or Mary Jane. The smell is often described as pungent and distinctive, a mix of sweet
and sour odor. Marijuana is most commonly smoked in joints (hand-rolled cigarettes), or bongs (water pipes),
or even blunts (marijuana cigars). Sometimes, marijuana is used to brew tea or is mixed into foods such as
brownies or cookies using hash oil, which is the concentrated resin of the plant. Hash oil, waxy budder,
and shatter, which contain high doses of active ingredients of marijuana are increasing its popularity among
both recreational and medical users (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014).
Cannabis contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive chemical. It contains 70 other
cannabinoids, which the body naturally produces to modulate pain (Zimmermann, 2015). Once it is inhaled in
the body, THC is rapidly passed from the lungs to the bloodstream and then carried to the brain and the
other organ systems. As previously mentioned, the second route of entry is through digestion, which is the
slower route. Once ingested, the THC acts on the cannabinoid receptors found on the brain cells, which are
part of the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are normally activated by a structurally similar chemical
called anandamide. A high amount of the cannabinoid receptors are found in the areas of the brain that affect
pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. It is
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because of these affected areas in the brain that leads to marijuana being addictive. The receptors are also
found in the liver, kidney and lungs. Once the cannabinoid receptor is activated, it releases chemicals to
alleviate pain and other noxious chemicals (Zimmermann, 2015). Marijuana leads to the overactivation of the
endocannabinoid system, leading to the high feeling that users experience (National Institute on Drug
Abuse, 2014).

Benefits of Using Marijuana

The argument of the people who are for the legalization of marijuana, regardless if medical or not, is that
helps treat a variety of diseases. According to Earleywine (2005), the earliest trace of marijuana use dated as
far back as 2737 B.C., when Chinas emperor, Shen Neng, used cannabis tea to treat gout, rheumatism,
malaria and even poor memory. The following are some of the most notable conditions and diseases that
have been proven to be modulated by marijuana:
Cancer, HIV/ AIDS and chemotherapy. As previously mentioned, marijuana contains the biologically active
components called cannabinoids. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few drugs
containing cannabinoid to relieve of nausea and vomiting in lung cancer patients (Ahmedzai et al, 1983) and
increase appetite in cancer and AIDS patients (Beal, et al, 1997). Moreover, it is also said to be effective at
reducing neuropathic pain in HIV patients (Abrams, et al, 2007)
Alzheimers Disease. According to Scripps Research Institute (2006), THC, the primary active component in
marijuana, inhibits amyloid plaque formation, the principal pathological marker for Alzheimers disease. It is
described as a superior inhibitor of amyloid plaque formation by preventing the activity of
acetylcholinesterase.
Multiple Sclerosis. Medical marijuana, in the form of oral sprays and pills, appear to decrease stiffness and
muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, pain related to spasms, painful burning, numbness and an
overactive bladder, which are also symptoms of MS, are also alleviated (American Academy of Neurology,
2014)
Epilepsy. THC and other cannabinoid components of marijuana are suggested to have anticonvulsant
properties. According to the study done by DeLorenzo, et al. (2003), marijuana plays a key role in controlling
spontaneous seizures caused by epilepsy. Aside from having advantages in treating seizures in contrast to
prescribed anticonvulsants, marijuana also limits the duration of the seizure.
Arthritis. Marijuana aids in reducing joint inflammation in arthritis. Dai, et al. (2013), confirmed in his study
that certain components of marijuana can up-regulate the expression of a type of cannabinoid receptors,
CB2R, which in turn, reduces production of proinflammatory mediators.
Glaucoma. When administered by smoking, orally, or intravenously, marijuana decreases intraocular pressure
in 60% to 65% (Green, 1998).
Depression. According to a study done by Denson and Earleywine (2005), users who used once a week or
less reported less depressed mood, more positive affect and lesser somatic complaints than non users.
Moreover, daily users also had less depressed mood and a more positive affect than non-users.
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Marijuana users are said to report less

depressed moods and more positive affect
Schizophrenia. Cannabidiol increases anandamide levels, which results to hindrance of anandamide
deactivation. This results to the antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol, which can aid in the treatment of acute
schizophrenia (Leweke, et al, 2012)
Morning Sickness. Ninety-two percent of the 40 pregnant women who used marijuana to treat nausea and
vomiting evaluated it to be effective or extremely effective (Westfall, et al. 2006).
Hepatitis C. Moderate use of marijuana may have some symptomatic and virological benefit to patients with
hepatitis C virus. Marijuana is said to aid in promoting effectivity of drug therapy. Furthermore, a patient who
smoked at least once a day or every other day helped complete therapy for HCV (Sylvestre, et al. 2006)

Disadvantages of Using Marijuana

Those who are anti the legalization of marijuana would argue that the risks of using marijuana outweigh the
possible gains. Most of them, although would agree that marijuana can potentially have some benefits, these
are benefits that can also be found in other medications that have less side effects.
Using marijuana leads to an impaired coordination, along with altered mood and perception and difficulty
with thinking and problem solving. It also leads to disrupted learning and memory (National Institute on Drug
Abuse, 2014). Impaired coordination may lead to doubling the risk of injury or death while driving a car.
Moreover, according to Seal, et al. (2012), long term users of marijuana may potentially lead to permanent
detrimental effects on thinking and memory. It was also noted that the younger the cannabis habit begins,
the worse the damage to the brain. Aside from the reduced white matter volume, disruptions to the white
matter fibers of the brain were also observed. Furthermore, in another study done by Meier, et al. (2012)
found that teenagers who routinely smoke marijuana could suffer from a long-term drop in IQ. Mental decline
was only observed in subjects who started routinely smoking marijuana before the age of 18. Cognitive
abilities lost were not completely restored to adults who stopped smoking marijuana.

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Marijuana is considered a lung irritant. The same respiratory problems can arise from smokers of marijuana
and tobacco. These respiratory problems include wheezing, phlegm production on most days, bronchitis and
a higher risk of lung infection. Similar to tobacco, tar is also deposited into the lungs when marijuana is
smoked, but four times as much tar into the lungs. More importantly, marijuana also contains 33
carcinogens; however, it is not associated with an increased risk for lung cancer for light to moderate users
(American Lung Association, ND). Marijuana smoking also leads to injury to the large airways of the
respiratory system and damages the alveolar macrophages. Conversely, graver pulmonary consequences arise
from tobacco smoking compared to regular heavy marijuana smokers (Tashkin 2013).
It was previously mentioned in Greens (1998) study that marijuana use is found to decrease intraocular
pressure. However, he also noted that these effects are also present in other drugs, which are legal and do
not have the adverse side effects that marijuana has. Thus, he concludes that use of marijuana to treat
glaucoma is not advisable.
Also, although recreational marijuana users were reported to have a less depressed and more positive mood
(Denson and Earleywine, 2005), it was also reported in the same study that medical users had a reported a
more depressed mood and more somatic complaints than the recreational users.
The sperm is also damaged for marijuana smokers. Regular smokers were found to have a significantly
decreased amount of seminal fluid and a reduced sperm count. Sperm was also found to swim too fast too
early, making it more difficult for fertilization to occur. The exact mechanism of how marijuana use results to
abnormalities in the sperm are still undetermined, but it is thought to be caused by THC (Burkman, 2002;
Whan, 2006)
According to George Mason University (ND), marijuana use also has an effect on females. Aside from
menstrual cycle interruption, marijuana, specifically THC, can lead to irreversible damage to the eggs in the
ovaries. In a study done by Lamy, et al. (2014), marijuana use, along with tobacco and other drug use,
resulted to higher chances of miscarriages and shorter gestation length, increased chances of uterine
apoplexy and placenta previa, increased number of premature births. In addition, children with mothers who
smoked during pregnancy were observed to have increased chances of growth disorders, learning or motor
disorders, language disorders, cognitive disorders, ADHD and memory disorders.

National Geographic Documentary on the Effects of ...

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REFERENCES:
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Cannabis in painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Neurology,
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Ahmedzai, S., Carlyle, D., & Moran, F. (1983). Anti-emetic efficacy and toxicity of nabilone, a synthetic
cannabinoid, in lung cancer chemotherapy. British Journal of Cancer, 48(5), 657-63. Retrieved March 2, 2015,
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American Academy of Neurology. (2014). Guideline: Medical Marijuana in Pill Form or Oral Spray May Ease
Some MS Symptoms; Little Evidence Other Complementary or Alternative Therapies Work. Neurology.
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Beal, J., Olson, R., Lefkowitz, L., Laubenstein, L., Bellman, P. Yangco, B., Morales, JO., Murphy, R., Powderly,
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Dai, S., Gui, H., Liu, X., Wang, Z., He, D., & Su, D. (2013). Expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 and its
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Dangerous Drugs Board. (2008). Facts on Drugs. Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
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DeLorenzo, R., Wallace., M., Blair, R., Falenski., K., & Martin, B. (2003). The endogenous cannabinoid system
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Denson, T. & Earleywine, M. (2005). Decreased depression in marijuana users. Addictive Behaviors, 31(4),
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Eubanks, L., Rogers., C., Beuscher A., Koob., G., Olson., A., Dickerson., T., & Janda, K. (2006). A molecular
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University Press
Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (2014). Does Marijuana Kill Brain Cells? Harmful Effects on the Brain
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George Mason University. (ND). Marijuana. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from
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Lamy, S., Laqueille, X., & Thibaut, F. (2014). Consequences of tobacco, cocaine andcannabisconsumption
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Leweke, F., Piomelli, D., Pahlisch, F., Muhl, D., Gerth, C., Hoyer, C., Klosterkotter, J., Hellmich, M., & Koethe,
D. (2012). Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Seal, M., Zalesky, A., Solowij, N., Yucel, M., Lubman, D., Takagi, M., Harding, I., Lorenzetti, V., Wang, R.,
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Tashkin, D. (2013). Effects of marijuana smoking on the lung. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 10(3),
239-247. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23802821
Whan, L., West, M., McClure, N., & Lewis, S. (2006). Effects of deltatetrahyrocannabinol, the primary
psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, on human sperm function in vitro. Fertility and Sterility, 85(3), 653660. Retrieved March 4, 2015 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16500334
Westfall, R., Janssen, P., Lucas, P., & Capler, R. (2006). Survey of medicinal cannabis use among childbearing
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Tags: benefits of marijuana, cannabis, disadvantages of marijuana, marijuana, weed

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