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UVSS HEMPOLOGY 101 CLUB LESSON #16 : CANNABIS AND YOUR HEALTH - Part 1 |
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Hemp seeds contain all the proteins, amino acids and Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) needed to sustain human life and are the healthiest known food source on the planet. Seeds contain trace amounts of the approximately 70 cannabinoids that the cannabis plant can produce, each chemical having a different mental or physical effect. Humans have developed internal systems to regulate various bodily functions using chemicals that are known as endo-cannabinoids because they closely resemble cannabinoids, which were discovered first. These naturally produced endo-cannabinoids monitor many body functions, from the immune system to gastro-intestinal functions, hence the reason cannabis is so useful in helping stabilize people with incurable medical problems. The neo-transmitter receptor sites that the body creates are not finished forming until around the age of 16. There is some evidence that using cannabis before these receptors are fully developed could inhibit learning functions and possibly cause other mental health problems. There are potential negative and positive health impacts from using cannabis that vary depending upon the individual, the quality of cannabis and the method of ingestion. Some people are allergic to the smell of cannabis, or have bad reactions to eating or smoking it. Smoking or eating cannabis with pesticide residue, mold or having been grown with too much fertilizer can cause serious lung or stomach problems. Using metal, wood or stone pipes exposes users to nasty chemicals that off-gas when the material is heated, leaving glass and ceramic pipes as the only healthy alternative. Experienced drivers who are experienced smokers usually find that they drive more slowly, pay greater attention to other vehicles and take fewer risks. However, in-experienced drivers who are just beginning to smoke cannabis are just as dangerous as a drunk driver. While estimates vary, approximately 3% to 5% of people who try cannabis become technically addicted for at least a brief time in their lives. Clinical addiction is consumption of over 1 gram per day. The negative side effects from addiction to cannabis can be loss of memory, concentration skills and motivation. Though these effects are not felt by all heavy cannabis users, they are also felt by inexperienced users. Smoking cannabis does not degrade moral character and therefore does not contribute to criminal acts, besides breaking the cannabis laws. Cannabis use does not lead to use of other drugs in the vast majority of cases, and is often used to help people stop using alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, heroin and crystal meth.
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Chronic smoking can cause lung and throat irritations,
including bronchitis. Holding the smoke in the lungs for over 4
seconds is harmful because by that time almost all the THC has been
absorbed but the other tars and chemicals are still present. Proper
science of the subject of smoking cannabis is lacking, but evidence
suggests that smoking1 joint causes actually as much damage as a
cigarette, though it could be 4 cigarettes. However, cannabis does
not cause lung cancer and may in fact help prevent the disease in people
who smoke both. Smoking cannabis can trigger schizophrenic episodes
in people with a predisposition towards mental health issues, though it
does not seem to cause these types of problems. Cannabis makes
linear thinking more difficult while improving non-linear mental functions
such as word association and music. No death due to cannabis
consumption has ever been recorded in history. |
| International Hempology 101
Society www.hempology.ca |
Cannabis Buyers' Clubs of Canada www.cbc-canada.ca |
