Cannabis: How does it affect the body and mind?

Long shrouded in controversy and mystery, cannabis has become the subject of intense research for its effects on the body and mind. From treating pain and anxiety to influencing cognitive function and mood, cannabis is becoming a focus of attention in both medicine and psychology.

How exactly does cannabis affect our body and mind and what is its potential in a medical context? Let's take a deeper look at the science and mechanisms behind the effects of this plant.

Biological window

Cannabis, Latin Cannabis, we classify it as an annual herb from the hemp family, which includes, for example, hops. These are dioecious plants with a tall stem that grows up to three meters high. In the case of bred varieties grown for flowers, the height is much smaller. Since this is a dioecious plant, we divide the individual exhibits into male and female. It is therefore necessary to grow more plants for the formation of seeds, and if we want flowers with resin, we prefer female plants.

The plant originally comes from Asia, according to available research, the specific area should be the Tibetan Plateau. However, as early as 6 million years ago, the plant began to spread to Europe and the rest of Asia. Even today, we can find cannabis growing wild not only in our territory, but mainly in the Mediterranean.

Hemp vs Marijuana

An important piece of information worth mentioning when talking about cannabis is the difference between cannabis and marijuana. These are more or less two designations for one plant, but there are some differences. The most important thing is the content THC and the subsequent legality of possession, use or cultivation of the plant.

While hemp contains only a natural or almost no amount of THC (usually a maximum of 2%, but most often the THC content is lower than 0,5%), marijuana refers to those types and varieties of cannabis plants that are directly grown for their high content of psychoactive THC . So we use the name "marijuana" to name the parts of the plant that are used as a drug.

Effects of Cannabis - CBD, CBG and THC

The strong effects on human health are due to a whole range of contained substances. Undoubtedly, cannabinoids are among the most important. We include more than a hundred individual substances here, however, we can consider the most important three - CBD (cannabidiol), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol).

THC is psychoactive and is behind the prohibition of cannabis as such in many countries around the world, the other two cannabinoids are currently moving not only traditional, but also modern medicine - and that is completely legal.

Cannabis and psyche

THC is known for its psychoactive effects and is the main substance responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis consumption. Studies show that THC can affect memory, perception of time and space, as well as induce increased anxiety or paranoia in some individuals.

On the other hand, CBD and some other cannabinoids tend to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC and may have potential in influencing mood and anxiety. Studies suggest that CBD may have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and antidepressant effects. It is also being investigated for its potential in the treatment of various mental disorders.

For example, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that CBD may have potential as an adjunctive treatment for people suffering from bipolar disorder, reducing the intensity of their symptoms. Further research also focuses on the possible use of cannabis in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder, psychotic and affective states.

In the case of mental illnesses, however, it is necessary to keep in mind that the positive effects are not related to THC - in most cases, this has a rather negative effect on these diagnoses.

Cannabis and sleep

The use of cannabis to promote sleep is becoming the subject of increasing interest and research. A 2021 study investigated the effects of cannabis on sleep and yielded interesting findings regarding its effect on sleep quality and patterns in humans and animal models.

Important factors that influence the effects of cannabis on sleep are the composition of the plant, the dosage and the method of administration. Research suggests that consuming cannabis in various forms, including dried leaf, oral consumption, or vaporization, can have different effects on sleep. In particular, vaporization, which is recommended for medical purposes, with THC and low CBD cannabis, can promote a specific type of sleep, so-called NREM sleep.

Studies conducted on animal models suggest that vaporizing cannabis with a higher THC content and minimal CBD content can positively influence the NREM sleep phase. This phase is associated with deep and restorative sleep. This line of research could provide valuable information for the treatment of sleep disorders and help doctors and patients better understand the potential benefits and risks associated with using cannabis to promote sleep. However, we do not yet have enough data from human studies in this regard.

Effects of cannabis on physical health

In addition to the effect on the psyche, cannabis also has undeniable effects on the human organism. What health ailments can it help us with?

Helps with chronic pain

Cannabis has become a center of attention in pain management due to its potential to relieve discomfort in people suffering from chronic pain. Active components of cannabis such as THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body, allowing pain management and reduction. Some studies say that these substances can affect nociception, the mechanism of pain perception in the nervous system, and thus reduce the intensity of pain. This approach offers hope to people suffering from chronic pain, especially where conventional treatments have failed to provide effective relief (5).

Hope for patients with neurodegenerative diseases

The plant shows promising results in supporting people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Active substances in cannabis, especially CBD, have shown the ability to protect nerve cells. This is crucial in diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Studies suggest that CBD has the potential to slow the progression of these diseases by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. In addition, cannabis can also slow the loss of motor skills and improve cognitive function in people suffering from these diseases (6).

Inflammations and chronic inflammatory diseases

Cannabis proves to be an effective aid in reducing inflammation in the human body. Active components of cannabis, such as cannabinoids like CBD and THC, have the ability to affect the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a key role in the regulation of the immune system and inflammatory processes.

Some studies suggest that CBD and THC have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body. These substances interact with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, leading to the reduction of the release of inflammatory substances and the modulation of the immune response, which can ultimately lead to the relief of inflammatory conditions. This potential hemp in managing inflammation offers hope for people suffering from various inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or bowel disease, and paves the way for further research into cannabis-based treatments (6).

The most promising cannabinoid? Definitely CBD!

CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most widely used active ingredient in classic cannabis grown mostly illegally (the first place is of course occupied by THC). For medical marijuana, if you want technical cannabis, this is the number one substance - the plants are grown for it. Cannabidiol, one of the hundreds of components in cannabis, does not cause a "high" by itself.

According to a report by the World Health Organization WHO: “In humans, CBD does not show any effects that indicate the potential for abuse or addiction…. To date, there is no evidence of public health problems associated with the use of pure CBD."

For this reason, CBD is completely legal in most countries in the world. This is not the case here either. This vaunted substance is currently the focus of literally hundreds of different studies. Scientists believe that it has enormous therapeutic potential.

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Sourcee:

1. Cannabis use and mania symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2. Anxiety and Mood Disorders and Cannabis Use
3. Cannabis Use and the Risk for Psychosis and Affective Disorders
4. Effects of Cannabis Consumption on Sleep
5. Medical Cannabis for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Management
6. Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: A comprehensive review

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