In , the church group-financed movie Reefer Madness taught the public about the perils presented in using the drug — everything from attempted murder to suicide and madness.
Around the same time, Harry Anslinger and others began the war on drugs, which was at least partly fueled by racist motives.
Ever since, rumors and or slanted science about weed has often filled in a gaping hole in research due to restrictions on drugs illegalized by western governments.
Some people have long tended to lump all illegal drugs together, seeing little difference between the dangers posed by drugs like heroine or methamphetamines to marijuana. But how dangerous is marijuana, really? Can it kill you? Is it possible to overdose on weed? Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is probably the most toxic component of marijuana.
Over the past few decades, the THC content of marijuana has increased , meaning that, in theory, the addictive potential for the drug has increased. But even if the THC content was high enough to cause real damage to your body, marijuana also has a built-in way to keep this component in check: cannabidiol, or CBD.
That's according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which collects data on a range of other substances, both legal and illicit, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. For comparison, opioids, which include prescription pain relievers and heroin, killed more than 28, Americans in Nearly 88, people die from alcohol-related causes every year, which makes alcohol the fourth leading preventable cause of the death in the US.
It's pretty impossible to ingest a lethal dose of marijuana. David Schmader, author of " Weed: The User's Guide ," spoke with experts and crunched the numbers on how much bud it would take to kill someone. One reason for this impossibility is the way the brain works.
When a user ingests marijuana, chemicals in the plant ride the nervous system to the brain and latch onto molecules called cannabinoid receptors. Those little holding cells influence pleasure, memory, coordination, and cognition, among other functions, which is why getting high affects thinking and behavior.
Cannabinoid receptors are not found in the brainstem areas that control breathing. If you or a friend has overindulged, there are a few things you can do to reduce the unpleasant side effects. Remind yourself that nobody has ever died from a cannabis overdose. This might be the last thing you want to do, especially if you also have dry mouth, but it makes a big difference for some people. Speaking of dry mouth, make sure you drink plenty of liquids. Sometimes, the best thing to do is wait for the effects to subside.
Sleeping or resting is a good way to pass time while you wait for the cannabis to work its way out of your system. Switch off the music or TV, leave the crowd, and try to relax in a calm environment, like an empty bedroom or bathroom. Anecdotally, many people swear that black peppercorns can soothe the side effects of overindulging in cannabis, especially anxiety and paranoia.
According to research , black peppercorns contain caryophyllene, which might weaken the uncomfortable effects of THC.
It may be helpful to call a friend who has experience with cannabis. They may be able to talk you through the unpleasant experience and calm you down. This tends to happen more with edibles and high-THC products.
Her writing covers issues relating to social justice, cannabis, and health. There are reports of both seizures and the reduction of seizures, which seems to be based on which type of cannabinoid and at what amounts are used. Here are some examples of THC toxicity that have been published:. Even the method of consumption makes a difference. For example, a user may consume too much THC in edible form because it takes longer to see an effect.
If one brownie doesn't work, they take another Suddenly, they have a serious reaction. THC that is consumed in edible form is metabolized differently than when it's inhaled. Edibles are also much more prone to accidental overdoses. Smoking marijuana doesn't usually happen accidentally. Even second-hand smoke from your neighbor's party isn't really going to do anything but stink up your apartment.
However, leaving laced cookies lying around pretty much begs for someone to try a bite. Kids are especially likely to munch on marijuana goodies. When grandma is trying a little medical marijuana for the first time and accidentally leaves it out for the grandkids to explore, you have a recipe for overdose.
Children presenting to the emergency department with accidental ingestion of marijuana becomes increasingly common in every state that legalizes marijuana for recreational use.
Once it's legal and tolerated, it's a lot easier to accidentally leave your marijuana out on the coffee table for the kids to find. There are several reasons that medical and health experts have become concerned about the potential for marijuana overdose and adverse effects. Marijuana has been available for medicinal use since when California legalized it.
In Oregon, the number of dispensaries doubled after recreational weed was legalized. As the momentum of recreational pot burns across the country, people you probably didn't expect to see getting high are trying weed for the first time in years.
While they might have smoked a little pot in college, this isn't the same thing. Many in the medical world report being a bit surprised by the marked increase in marijuana use in states where it has been legalized. Many paramedics, EMTs, and emergency department healthcare providers figured that those who cared about getting high had their medical marijuana prescriptions and could get it when they wanted.
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