Marijuana Addiction, Some Important Facts:

Table of Contents:

• 1.What is marijuana?
• 2.How is marijuana used?
• 3.What are the medical uses of marijuana?
• 4.Is it possible to overdose on marijuana?
• 5.Is the treatment for marijuana overdose possible?
• 6.Can marijuana cause a substance abuse disorder and addiction?
• 7.What are American statistics on marijuana abuse?

What is marijuana?

Marijuana comes from dried leaves, stem, flowers and even seeds of a plant called Cannabis Sativa. The five to seven pointed leaf of marijuana is commonly used to symbolize the drug. The dried marijuana looks like a green to brown clumped together mess that is then consumed in different ways. The euphoric high that the addict feels is attributed to delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol and a number of other compounds present in the drug. Multiple slang terms are given to marijuana such as

How is marijuana used?

Marijuana can be consumed in a number of ways such as:

Smoking it:

Using vaporizers:

In the form of edibles:

THC rich resins:

What are the medical uses of marijuana?

Even after its legalization in some states for medical and recreational uses, the FDA has yet to approve marijuana for medical use. There are a few medications approved by FDA to be used for medicinal purposes. A study conducted by The Institute of Medicine, therapeutic benefits of marijuana may include:

Medical marijuana is also used to treat:

THC has been approved by FDA, the active ingredient present in marijuana, to treat nausea and stimulate appetite.

Is it possible to overdose on marijuana?

Contrary to popular beliefs, it is quite possible to overdose on marijuana. It happens when large amounts of marijuana are consumed. It causes toxicity that results into serious damage to the body or even death. So far, there have not been any cases of death due to marijuana overdose alone but the damage caused to the body can be irreversible. Taking high levels of THC, as happens in dabbing, can cause extremely dangerous side effects and the user needs to be treated in emergency. These side effects include involuntary body shaking and in some cases anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations are also experienced.

Other than dabbing, nonfatal overdose can be produced by any means of consumption of marijuana such as smoking and eating marijuana edibles.

Is the treatment for marijuana overdose possible?

Marijuana overdose is highly treatable if proper emergency treatment is provided. The professionals lessen the effects produced by marijuana by:

Can marijuana cause a substance abuse disorder and addiction?

Marijuana users are at a risk of developing substance use disorder that can eventually turn into addiction. Studies show that among all the marijuana users, around 30% end up developing marijuana use disorder. Users, who start consuming marijuana before the age of 18 are at a higher risk of developing the disorder and addiction. So it is possible to become a marijuana addict and when attempts are made to quit, withdrawal symptoms appear including:

What are American statistics on marijuana addiction?

As stated earlier, marijuana is most widely consumed drug in United States. According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of Americans trying it for the first time is increasing.