Introduction
Cannabis is one of the well-known types of psychoactive substances, the legal status of which has always caused a fierce debate between proponents of legalizing marijuana and those who believe that marijuana use should be criminalized. This speech is aimed at an adult audience (over the age of 18(21)) who wants to understand the pros and cons of using cannabis for recreational or medical purposes. It is very important to avoid multithreading and raise public awareness of the scientifically proven positive and negative effects that marijuana use causes. The research suggests considering the use of marijuana as a medication for treatment because it can help to stop certain diseases and help reduce the risk of mental illness.
A Brief Speech Overview
The topic of drugs is relevant for both scientific and non-scientific society. This speech takes a combined and clear approach to present information. More than two-thirds of Americans, especially millennials, baby boomers, and Generation X, support the legalization of marijuana. And most believe that complete freedom to grow and consume weed is necessary (Daniller, 2019). Daniller (2019) chose two main themes to raise awareness among these adult populations: the neurobiological effects of marijuana smoking (impact on the mind and body and the development of addiction) and the possible positive effects of pot use, for example, for medical purposes.
Impact On the Human Psyche
Marijuana plants and extracts contain more than 80 different psychoactive components. However, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main in terms of their effect on the human body (Cox et al., 2019). THC has an activating effect on a person who uses cannabinoids in any form; it causes a pleasant excitement and euphoria, followed by an increase in anxiety. CBD has the opposite effect: nervousness decreases, and relaxation comes.
The interaction of these two substances explains the excitatory effect of small doses (THC is the more active substance) and the subsequent inhibitory effect of larger quantities (cannabidiol is larger in volume).
Research into the effects of various external stimuli on the brain is often challenging. It was not until the 1990s that scientists found the parts of the brain affected by pot use – the so-called “cannabinoid” (CB) receptors (Cox et al., 2019). There are two kinds: CB1 and CB2, but the most important is the first of these two types. Most interestingly, there are ten times more CB1s in the human brain than there are dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin receptors combined.
The substances in marijuana affect several parts of the human brain and certain related processes in the body itself. The limbic system is activated: both a state of euphoria and an attack of fear may appear. The increased release of dopamine should also be mentioned by the author here because it explains the improvement in mood (Cox et al., 2019). Cannabinoids also affect the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. Therefore, a person stoned has wandering thoughts and emotions. Increased activity of the frontal cortex makes sounds and colors feel brighter and more intense for a certain amount of time.
After the above description of the effects of marijuana use, it is important to consider the issue of addiction to these substances. The risk of addiction is around nine percent but increases in proportion to the number of times you smoke per week and can reach 30 percent (Cox et al., 2019). After the above description of the effects of marijuana use, it is important to consider the issue of addiction to these substances. The risk of addiction is about nine percent (alcohol: 15 percent) but increases in proportion to the number of times person smoke a week and can reach 30 percent (Cox et al., 2019). Most addicts show decreased motivation, increased anxiety, irritability, and slowed thinking processes. Optimistically, the body can recover after just one month from complete withdrawal.
Medical Cannabis Use
In many developed democracies, intense and fruitful work has been carried out to separate CBD and THC. It has made it possible to create marijuana-based preparations without psychoactive effects (Grinspoon, 2020). They have the lowest possible THC level (no more than 0.3 percent), which allows them to be controlled and given access to patients by the law. Marijuana-derived CBD products, or CBD products containing THC, may be more effective than fiber hemp.
In what illnesses can other forms of cannabinoid use help? Marijuana does not have a specific therapeutic effect, but it can reduce the severity of symptoms in many situations. It allows these medicines to be used as second-line medicines to support the main line of treatment (Grinspoon, 2020). For example, medical marijuana can reduce pain by altering perceptual pathways in the brain. It is very important for migraines, aggressive types of cancer, and arthritis.
Theoretically, cannabis-based medicines can reduce inflammation in Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. CBD’s effect on the limbic system and feelings of hunger was also mentioned in the previous section of this talk (Grinspoon, 2020). Based on this, many doctors prescribe medical marijuana to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders and to improve appetite in the context of AIDS, etc. Medicinal cannabis can be taken in different forms: vaping, candy, ointments and lotions, and cigarettes.
Conclusion
The use of marijuana as medicines can have a positive effect on mental health and also help in the treatment of some diseases. At the end of this speech, it should be made clear that everyone must decide whether to use marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes. For that purpose, this study provides brief but important information on medical and conventional marijuana. In doing so, it is important to rely on the legal framework of the state of residence. Despite their controversial status, cannabis products can be very useful in certain areas, provided that they are well researched and relatively safe to use.
References
Ahmed, W. & Katz, S. (2017). Therapeutic use of cannabis in inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 12(11), 668-679.
Cox, E. J., Maharao, N., Patilea-Vrana, G., Unadkat, J. D., Rettie, A. E., McCune, J. S., & Paine, M. F. (2019). A marijuana-drug interaction primer: precipitants, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 201(1), 25-38.
Daniller, A. (2019). Two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization. Pew Research Center.
Grinspoon, P. (2020). What are the benefits of marijuana? Healthline.