The truth - the drug known as grass, marijuana, and weed, is also known as a brain cell killer... but further, the rumor that it is a NON-ADDICTIVE substance is untrue. In 2010, research scientists Marcel O. Bonn‐Miller PhD and Michael Zvolensky PhD, along with several other researchers had proven that a psychological dependence disorder exists, especially in connection with anxiety disorder treatment. The goal of the study seemed to be finding the balance between treating patients with the psychoactive substance, THC, rather than CBD from the same plant. Some effects in these studies, such as irritability and other after-effects of THC consumption were attributed to "dependency" like that of caffeine dependency - obviously this led to the argument that "if coffee is legal, then cannabis should be legal."
Since this study occurred, a rumor has spread that Weed (THC) is one of the only psychoactive drugs without addictive properties leading to withdrawal side-effects such as tremors, cold-sweats, odd behavior etc... it has even been said by some that there are ZERO negative effects of smoking weed or consuming it by any means. This is incorrect. First let's discuss the negative effects of THC in the following video provided by TED Talk:
Now let's discuss the comparison between Coffee & Cannabis. Are they the same? Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that can become a dependent drug if used outside of moderation... whereas THC is considered by scientists as both psychoactive and addictive. In other words, the pleasure centers in the brain react to one drug in a way that they do not react to the other...
In the past, some studies have shown a lack of addictive reactions to "the weed," but in recent years more extensive studies show that marijuana users do not show extreme physical withdrawal symptoms. Yet in one specific study from Doctors Koob and Volkow, recorded in journals at NCBI (link below), They discovered that subjects using THC do continue to desire more substance, and they exhibit desperation. These is indicative psychological signs of the second and third stages of addiction: negative withdrawal and preoccupation/anticipation. Many cases have reported addictive behavior such as lying/deceit, paranoia, sweating, and overeating as the high begins to curve.
So, the truth:
1. THC may in some cases have minimal side-effects that make the brain regulate neuron firings, but overall, the bad effects far outweigh the good.
2. 90% of the time, the active lifestyle of one who consumes THC becomes affected in a negative way by the chemical reactions in the brain leading to habits formed by the consumer.
3. THC is absolutely an Addictive Drug. If you are smoking or consuming THC, you will experience the 3 cycles addiction if you do not structure a system to quit on your own. Once you're in the cycle, you must seek help. There is little chance that you will quit on your own once addicted... I will say, it is not impossible, but there is no reason to traverse the complex paths of this arduous journey alone...
Thanks for reading!
Ramzi Elassadi - the Editor
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