Marijuana is considered one of the most dangerous plants, which makes treating its addiction necessary and inevitable, especially due to the great harm it causes to users. In this article, we will review everything related to marijuana and its addiction through the           Dalili Medical website.

**What is marijuana?**

 

Marijuana, or hashish, is a type of greenish-gray herb, as some people smoke it in hand-rolled cigarettes, or through a pipe, or hookah, or in cigar rolls. Marijuana can also be used to prepare tea, and is also included in some baked goods such as cakes and sweets. In addition, it has some medical uses. The active ingredient in marijuana that affects the mind and mood is known as Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a chemical found in the plant's gum.

**The difference between hashish and marijuana**

 

Hashish and marijuana are considered two of the most dangerous types of drugs, and both are extracted from the same plant. However, there are clear differences between them. Hashish is the dried substance extracted from the stems of cannabis plants, which contains narcotic substances.

As for marijuana, it represents the heads of cannabis plants that are picked and dried before use. Marijuana contains a higher concentration of narcotic substances, which makes it more dangerous in the field of drug addiction.

**Useful marijuana products**

 

Marijuana plants produce two types of products approved by the Federal Drug Administration, thanks to their active substances that help alleviate some diseases and provide immediate relief from the pain that a person may suffer from. Below we review the most prominent useful marijuana products.

**Dronabinol:**

This drug is considered one of the powerful treatments used to treat nausea and weight loss, and it is also used to relieve pain associated with AIDS patients.

**Nabilone:**

Nabilone is one of the marijuana products that is used for similar purposes, in addition to its use in relieving local pain. Marijuana can be consumed cooked or in pill form, as it has a strong and long-lasting effect in relieving pain. Marijuana cream is also available to treat skin cracks and is used to combat inflammation.

Names of marijuana around the world:

In Egypt, it is known as "banjo".

In Tunisia, it is called "zatla".

In Afghanistan, it is known as "Indian hemp".

It also has many other names such as charras, kif, ganja, and domesk, among others.

Is marijuana addictive?

 

Although many people believe that marijuana does not lead to addiction, this belief is inaccurate. Studies may indicate that the addiction rate may reach 90%, which necessitates the urgent treatment of marijuana addiction before symptoms worsen.

Moreover, when a person stops using marijuana suddenly and without medical supervision, many serious withdrawal symptoms may appear. This is due to the effect of marijuana on the brain, as it stimulates the production of dopamine, which gives a feeling of happiness and comfort.

Can marijuana treat eating disorders?

 

Yes, marijuana has the ability to improve the performance of the digestive system, which helps in treating eating disorders.

How does marijuana help in treating tremors?

 

Marijuana helps in reducing tremors and pain associated with Parkinson's disease, and it also promotes sleep and improves motor skills.

How does marijuana affect patients with colitis?

 

Marijuana contributes to strengthening the immune system, which improves the function of the digestive system and reduces bacteria that cause inflammation in the intestines, thus helping in treating colitis.

What are the benefits of marijuana products?

 

The benefits of marijuana products include their ability to prevent nausea and help in losing excess weight, in addition to relieving pain resulting from diseases, especially AIDS. It is also used to relieve local pain, and contributes to treating skin cracks and relieving inflammation.

Diseases that can be treated with medical marijuana

- Cancer

- Alzheimer's

- Anorexia

- Crohn's disease

- Eating disorders

- Pain relief

- Nausea treatment

- Schizophrenia

- Muscle spasms

- Wasting syndrome

What are the most prominent methods of marijuana use?

 

In this article, we will review the most prominent methods used to use marijuana, explaining the differences between each method and the other, in addition to the most important characteristics and potential side effects that a person may be exposed to as a result.

**Inhalation:**

Inhaling marijuana is considered one of the most common methods among addicts, as it is the fastest to achieve an immediate effect. This is done by the active substances entering the lungs, and then into the bloodstream, which makes the person feel the desired effect within a few minutes.

The inhalation process is divided into two main types:

 

**First: Smoking**

This method involves smoking the cannabis flower itself, as it is mixed with tobacco inside the buffalo leaf and rolled appropriately, then smoked. However, this method may lead to many health problems such as throat and tonsil infections and lung problems, which makes many people avoid it despite it being the most common and easy method.

As for the second aspect, it is the evaporation process, which is considered a good and suitable alternative to smoking, as it contributes to reducing problems related to the lungs, throat and tonsils. During this process, the addict places the cannabis plant in very hot water to activate the release of active substances from the plant, then it is inhaled through the nose. Currently, there are some devices that work in a similar way to inhalers used to treat respiratory crises and asthma attacks, but they rely on extracted oilsFrom the cannabis plant. This is considered very dangerous, as inhaling marijuana flowers contains the active ingredient of 5 to 20% THC. While oils contain a very high concentration of the active ingredient of up to 80%. Certainly, there have not been enough studies on these devices or inhaling oils, which may expose the user to serious health risks that may lead to death.

**The effect of marijuana use on driving**

 

Marijuana negatively affects many skills necessary for safe driving, such as attention, concentration, coordination, and reaction speed. When a person takes the drug, it becomes difficult for him to estimate distances or respond quickly when seeing signs, signals, or different sounds on the road. It is worth noting that the effect of marijuana can last for up to 24 hours after use.

Studies show that about 6% to 11% of fatal accidents in the United States involve drivers who were under the influence of marijuana, where the presence of THC was detected in their tests. In most of these cases, the drivers were also under the influence of alcohol, which makes driving in this state more dangerous than driving under the influence of marijuana alone.

**Long-term effects of marijuana use**

 

Although we do not fully know the long-term effects of marijuana, hashish, and other cannabis derivatives, some studies may raise concerns about serious health problems. For example, the health status of 450 marijuana users and non-tobacco smokers was studied, and the results were as follows: Marijuana users suffer from health problems related to their respiratory system, while the situation was completely different for non-smokers.

Continued use of this drug can lead to various types of cancer, in addition to diseases of the respiratory system and the immune system. Research has also shown that marijuana use may cause psychotic symptoms in individuals who have a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia.

**The Effect of Marijuana and Hashish on Pregnancy**

 

Doctors warn pregnant women against taking any type of drug, as it may harm the fetus. A study conducted on animals showed that marijuana use may lead to miscarriage in the first months of pregnancy. However, two studies have been conducted on humans, and no relationship has been proven between miscarriage and marijuana use. Therefore, this research is necessary to understand the effect of marijuana on pregnancy. Infants born to mothers who use marijuana during pregnancy show delayed responses to visual stimuli, in addition to increased tremors and high-pitched crying, indicating problems with the nervous system. Preschool and elementary school children who were exposed to marijuana as fetuses suffer from behavioral problems and difficulties in concentration, attention and memory, compared to their peers who were not exposed to it. So far, scientists have no conclusive evidence proving the effect of marijuana during pregnancy, however, some problems related to children's development may appear, as some parts of the brain continue to grow even after birth.

**Benefits of Marijuana Oil**

- **Feeling euphoric**: Marijuana contains a chemical known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which stimulates the part of the brain responsible for feeling pleasure. This substance enhances the release of dopamine, leading to a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. This substance enters the bloodstream immediately after smoking marijuana, and reaches its peak within half an hour, while its effect fades within 1-3 hours.

- **Anti-inflammatory**: Marijuana oil contains compounds that are effective in fighting inflammation, making it useful in treating conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism.

- **Reducing epileptic seizures**: Research has shown that marijuana oil can help control epileptic seizures in some patients with neurological disorders.

- **Sleep aid**: Some individuals use it as a treatment for insomnia and sleep problems, as it helps calm the nerves and promote deep sleep.

- Relieving chronic pain:

Marijuana contains hundreds of chemical compounds that contribute to relieving chronic pain, as its chemical composition reduces the transmission of nerve signals in the brain, including pain signals.

- Improving lung capacity:

Marijuana may contribute to increasing the capacity of the lungs instead of causing any harm to them.

**Weight loss:**

Marijuana contributes to weight loss and getting rid of obesity. When we look at it deeply, we find that marijuana users often do not suffer from weight gain, as cannabis regulates insulin levels in the body, which helps in managing calories effectively.

**Prevention of diabetes:**

Marijuana helps regulate blood sugar levels, which contributes to preventing diabetes. It is also effective in lowering blood pressure and improving blood circulation in the body.

**Treatment of depression:**

Using marijuana can relieve depression and improve mood. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress, which contributes to calming the soul and alleviating psychological disorders.

**Autism Treatment:**

Research has shown that marijuana may help improve mood and help children with autism deal with frequent mood swings, which leads to improving their psychological state and treating autism.

**Regulating epileptic seizures:**

Marijuana is effective in controlling epileptic seizures, as studies have proven the positive effect of cannabis on people suffering from this condition.

**Maintaining bone health:**

Marijuana has the ability to enhance and strengthen bone health, in addition to acceleratingFracture healing process

**Protection against Alzheimer's disease:**

 

Alzheimer's is a mental illness that may affect individuals as they age. The cannabis found in marijuana contains anti-inflammatory compounds, which helps fight brain inflammation, thus contributing to the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

**Relieve arthritis pain:**

Cannabis is used in the manufacture of creams designed to prevent arthritis, as it helps reduce the pain associated with this condition.

**Reducing the risk of hepatitis:**

Marijuana, especially cannabis, helps reduce the risk of infection with the hepatitis C virus, and also helps relieve symptoms associated with it such as nausea, fatigue, muscle pain, and depression.

**Dangers of excessive use of marijuana oil**

1. **Addiction**

Marijuana oil is one of the substances that may lead to addiction with repeated and excessive use.

2. **Psychological Disorders**

Excessive use of the oil can lead to mood disorders, such as excessive anxiety and depression.

3. **Effects on heart function**

It may cause high blood pressure and increased heart rate, which increases the risk of heart disease.

4. **Negative psychological effects**

High doses can lead to hallucinations and psychosis in some cases.

5. **Negative effects on the respiratory system**

It can negatively affect the respiratory system, leading to inflammation of the airways, inflammation of the pharynx and larynx, in addition to bronchial diseases.

. Skin cancer:

Marijuana addiction can increase the risk of cancer, especially skin cancer.

. Cardiac arrest:

The heart muscle may be injured, leading to disturbances in the heartbeat that may lead to its arrest.

. Sperm abnormalities:

It negatively affects the reproductive system, causing abnormalities in sperm in men and hormonal disorders in women.

. Auditory and visual hallucinations:

It causes damage to the nervous system, leading to auditory and visual hallucinations, in addition to feeling tired and lazy.

. Infectious diseases:

It negatively affects the immune system, which increases the risk of infectious diseases quickly.

. Memory impairment:

It causes brain atrophy, behavioral changes, and memory confusion

Tar is one of the harmful components in marijuana, as it contributes to increasing the risk of cancer. Tar is considered a cause of all types of cancer, which makes marijuana smokers susceptible to multiple types of cancer, especially skin cancer. In addition, tar contributes to the exacerbation of respiratory problems, as it negatively affects the health of the body in general.

As for the reproductive system, smoking marijuana has negative effects on this system. It may lead to sperm abnormalities in men, in addition to hormonal imbalances in women. It is important to note that smoking marijuana may affect the health of the fetus, as it may be exposed to deformities or birth defects, and may even lead to miscarriage or fetal death. Therefore, the damage of marijuana to human health is considered very serious.

**Treatment of marijuana addiction in 4 basic stages**

 

Treatment of marijuana addiction includes several stages aimed at achieving recovery, and these stages are as follows:

1. **Evaluation and diagnosis:**

- Conducting a comprehensive medical examination of the patient to determine the symptoms he suffers from. 

- Conducting some tests, such as drug analysis and other tests. 

- Developing a treatment program that suits the patient's needs. 

- Start implementing the treatment program as soon as possible.

2. **Detoxification from the body:**

- Detoxification by stopping marijuana use. 

- Using a medication program to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce their severity.

- Continuously monitoring the patient's condition to ensure his progress.

3. **Psychological and behavioral rehabilitation:**

- Conducting therapeutic sessions between the doctor and the patient for a specific period. 

- Treating psychological disorders associated with addiction. 

- Working to change the patient's negative behavior into positive behavior.

4. **External follow-up:**

- Periodically following up on the patient's condition to prevent any relapse. 

- Teaching the patient coping strategies to live without marijuana.