Weed is a slang term for marijuana, a drug that’s derived from the dried flowers of the cannabis plant. Other names for marijuana include Mary Jane, pot, herb, grass, and ganja. So when you hear someone say they just smoked a little weed, it’s marijuana to which they’re referring. Is weed a drug? Most definitely. While it’s not as dangerous or as habit-forming as other drugs like cocaine or opioids, it has many of the same mind-altering capabilities associated with them.
Do you need a drug addiction treatment program for a marijuana addiction? Call us today at 1.844.675.1022 for more information.
Is Weed a Drug That Can Hurt You?
Weed can hurt you, though marijuana by itself is not typically as harmful as other drugs. In fact, in some states, it’s legal. Colorado sells marijuana over-the-counter. What many purchasers don’t realize, however, is that most growers don’t use organic methods. As a result, much of it contains harmful pesticides, heavy metals, and even fungi that aren’t good for your mind or your body.
Additionally, today weed is often much more potent than the marijuana your parents may have smoked decades ago. Because growers today cross-pollinate their crops, it’s not unusual to find weed that’s two-to-three times more powerful than traditional cannabis. Worse, this type of marijuana is often lacking in the cannabinoid, CBD, or cannabidiol, that’s actually beneficial.
CBD is currently being studied because scientists believe it may have many beneficial applications, including:
- Helping to ease anxiety disorder
- Stopping seizures
- Lessening the symptoms of schizophrenia
- Preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
- Lessening depression
Recent studies performed in Colorado labs are finding less and less CBD oil in commercially available marijuana. This, coupled with the elevated levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis — means that using these modern forms of weed provides powerful psychoactive effects while adding little in the way of medicinal value.
What Are the Psychoactive Effects of Weed?
A psychoactive drug works on your central nervous system and changes the way your brain interprets reality. As a result, it can impact you in several ways, including:
- Distorting time
- Warping reality
- Impairing coordination
Other studies have linked heavy exposure of THC in rats to the disruption of brain activity. It’s thought that adolescent use of THC may actually impair the way the brain matures, leaving users open to the onset of cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia.
While marijuana studies are still in the early stages, evidence points to CBD as having more genuine medicinal applications than THC. CBD is also less detrimental to cognitive health and development than THC.
Is Weed a Drug That Can Kill You?
The odds of dying from smoking marijuana are low. There are concerns you should have, however, if you or someone you love uses this drug. THC has habit-forming abilities. This means that some people may have a difficult time if they want to stop using the drug. Weed includes unhealthy ingredients such as pesticide, herbicide, bacteria, and fungi. Using weed can impair the way you think, feel, and experience reality, meaning you should never drive or operate machinery while using it. Using weed can also lower your inhibitions and contribute to reckless behavior such as having unprotected sex or driving under the influence. Long-term use of weed that contains high levels of THC may affect the way your brain develops and may contribute to neurologic conditions as you grow older.
Is weed a drug to which you can become addicted? Possibly. Much depends on the type of marijuana you use and any risk factors that may be lurking in your past.
Drug Addiction Treatment for Marijuana
Marijuana addiction treatment can be difficult, but it’s possible. There are a number of different methods that can be used to help someone quit using marijuana, and the best approach depends on the individual.
Some people may benefit from medication, while others may need counseling or therapy. Inpatient treatment programs may also be an option for some people if abuse has become rampant.
The most important thing is to get help from a qualified addiction treatment professional who can tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs. If you or someone you love is struggling with marijuana addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
If You Need Help
Just because weed is legal for recreational use in a number of states doesn’t mean it’s perfectly safe. Nor does it mean that there are no negative consequences. Weed, like alcohol, has its downsides. Don’t imagine that you’re immune to addiction just because you’re buying weed in a dispensary rather than on the street.
Is weed a drug that can negatively impact your health? Absolutely. If you or a loved one needs help to stop using marijuana, Five Palms provides effective treatment. Call us today at 1.844.675.1022 for more information.
