Let's Talk About Cannabis
Terence Liburd
Senior Practitioner in Hypnotherapy Practice Dip Hyp, SQHP, GHR Reg ISCH
Cannabis also known as?marijuana?among?other names, is a?psychoactive drug?from the?cannabis?plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and?entheogenic?(to induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behaviour for the purposes of giving rise to a situation) and in various?traditional medicines?for centuries). Tetrahydrocannabinol?(THC) is the main psychoactive component of cannabis, which is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other?cannabinoids, such as?cannabidiol?(CBD). Cannabis can be used?by smoking,?vaporising,?within food, or?as an extract.
Cannabis has various?mental and physical effects, which include?euphoria, altered states of mind?and?sense of time, difficulty concentrating,?impaired short-term memory, impaired?body movement?(balance and fine psychomotor control), relaxation, and an increase in?appetite. Onset of effects is felt within minutes when smoked, but may take up to 90 minutes when eaten. The effects last for two to six hours, depending on the amount used. At high doses, mental effects can include?anxiety, delusions, hallucinations,?panic,?paranoia, and?psychosis. There is a strong relation between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis, though the cause and effect?is debated.
These physical effects and long-term risks underscore the importance of responsible cannabis use, understanding individual tolerance, and considering alternatives to smoking, such as vaporisation or consuming edibles. Pregnant individuals should avoid cannabis use to protect fetal health. Additionally, individuals should be aware of the potential for dependence and cognitive impairments associated with long-term, heavy cannabis use. Education and informed decision-making are crucial when it comes to cannabis consumption.
It's important to note that not all cannabis users will experience these adverse effects, and individual responses can vary widely. The likelihood and severity of these effects depend on factors such as the frequency and quantity of cannabis use, the method of consumption, the potency of the product, and individual susceptibility. Responsible and informed use of cannabis, as well as consideration of potential risks, is essential for minimising negative consequences.
Cannabis is mostly used recreationally or as a medicinal drug, although it may also be used for spiritual purposes. In 2013, between 128 and 232 million people used cannabis world wide (which is 2.7% to 4.9% of the global population between the ages of 15 and 65). It is the most commonly used largely-illegal drug in the world, with the highest use among adults in?Zambia, the?United States,?Canada, and?Nigeria. Since the 1970s, the potency of illicit cannabis has increased, with THC levels rising and CBD levels dropping.
While cannabis plants have been grown since at least the 3rd millennium BC, evidence suggests that it was being smoked for psychoactive effects at least 2,500 years ago in the?Pamir Mountains, Asia. Since the 14th century, cannabis has been subject to legal restrictions. The possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis has been?illegal in most countries?since the 20th century. In 2013,?Uruguay became the first country to?legalise?recreational use of cannabis. Other countries to do so are Canada,?Georgia,?Luxembourg,?Malta,?Mexico,?South Africa, and?Thailand. In the U.S., the recreational use of cannabis was legalised in?23 states, 3 territories, and the?District of Columbia, though the drug remains?federally illegal. In?Australia, it is legalised only in the?Australian Capital Territory.
The changing legal status of cannabis reflects evolving public attitudes, growing awareness of its potential medical benefits, and the acknowledgment of the need for regulatory frameworks to address its use. These developments continue to be a topic of debate and discussion in many parts of the world. Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana, refers to the use of cannabis to treat disease or improve symptoms; however, there is no single agreed-upon definition (e.g.,?cannabinoids?derived from cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids are also used). The rigorous scientific study of cannabis as a medicine has been hampered by production restrictions and by the fact that it is classified as an illegal drug by many governments. There is some evidence suggesting cannabis can be used to?reduce nausea and vomiting during?chemotherapy, to improve appetite in people with?HIV/AIDS, or to treat?chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, glaucoma and?muscle spasms. Evidence for its use for other medical applications is insufficient for drawing conclusions about safety or efficacy.?
The medical use of cannabis is legal only in a limited number of territories, including Canada,?Belgium, Australia, the?Netherlands, New Zealand,?Spain, and?many U.S. states. This usage generally requires a prescription, and distribution is usually done within a framework defined by local laws. It's worth noting that the legal status of medical cannabis can change over time as governments reassess their policies and regulations based on evolving scientific evidence and public opinion. Patients seeking medical cannabis treatment should consult with healthcare professionals and stay informed about the specific laws and regulations in their region.
Additional desired effects from consuming cannabis include, a general?alteration of conscious perception, increased awareness of sensation, increased?libido and?distortions in the perception of time?and space. At higher doses, effects can include altered?body image, auditory and/or visual?illusions,?pseudo hallucinations?and?ataxia?(a group of disorders that affect co-ordination, balance and speech) from selective impairment of?polysynaptic?reflexes. In some cases, cannabis can lead to?dissociative?states (a mental process of disconnecting from one's thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity) such as depersonalisation?(where one has the feeling of being outside oneself and observing ones actions, feelings or thoughts from a distance)?and?derealisation (where you may feel the world is unreal).
Cannabis has held sacred status in several religions and has served as an entheogen?– a?chemical substance?used in religious,?shamanic, or?spiritual?contexts?– in the Indian subcontinent since the?Vedic period. The earliest known reports regarding the sacred status of cannabis in the Indian subcontinent come from the?Atharva Veda, estimated to have been composed sometime around 1400 BC. ?The Hindu god?Shiva?is described as a cannabis user, known as the "Lord of?bhang." In modern culture, the spiritual use of cannabis has been spread by the disciples of the?Rastafari movement?who use cannabis as a?sacrament?and as an aid to meditation. While many people use cannabis for its relaxing and euphoric effects, others may experience discomfort or anxiety, especially when using high doses or unfamiliar strains. Responsible and informed use is essential to mitigate potential adverse effects and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for users.
Given the well-known consequences of tobacco smoking, it seems logical to suspect that marijuana could be equally detrimental to physical health. Although free of nicotine, marijuana smoke certainly pollutes the lungs. And since tobacco smoking has been linked to respiratory injury, cancer, emphysema, heart disease, complications of pregnancy, low birth weight, and other ills, it makes sense to worry whether smoking marijuana might prove equally harmful. Scientists have compared marijuana and tobacco smoking on the basis of many different factors but have failed to find consistent evidence that either substance poses a greater health risk than the other. On the one hand, marijuana joints have been shown to deliver at least four times as much tar to the lungs as tobacco cigarettes of equivalent weight. This difference is due to the lack of filters on joints and because marijuana smokers typically inhale a larger volume of smoke and take it more deeply into the lungs than tobacco smokers do. Marijuana smokers also tend to hold smoke in for a time before exhaling, exposing the lungs to even greater levels of cancer-causing agents.
On the other hand, because they are packed more tightly, commercial cigarettes produce more smoke than hand-rolled joints. That, plus the fact that most tobacco users typically smoke more cigarettes per day than their marijuana-using counterparts, means that over the course of a day most tobacco users take far more smoke into their lungs than people who smoke marijuana exclusively. Thus it is impossible to make precise comparisons between the damage to one's health caused by smoking marijuana versus the damage caused by smoking tobacco. And since an estimated 70 percent of marijuana users also smoke tobacco, it is difficult to conduct epidemiological studies that isolate the effects of marijuana smoking.
Not surprisingly, clinical studies suggest that people who smoke marijuana are more likely to develop respiratory illnesses than are non-smokers. A study conducted by the American Review of Respiratory Disease in 1997 stated that 446 volunteers compared the incidence of chronic bronchitis symptoms (excessive cough, sputum production, and wheezing) among habitual marijuana smokers, tobacco smokers, and non-smokers. Roughly one in three of both the marijuana and the tobacco smokers showed one or more of these symptoms, while only about one in 12 of the non-smokers did. Smokers—even those who did not smoke tobacco—had episodes of acute bronchitis more than five times as often as non-smokers. Marijuana smokers also performed worse on lung function tests than did non-smokers.
Another study did show evidence of such an interaction, but it was conducted on people who smoked considerably less marijuana and tobacco than those who participated in the previously described study. Researchers have found that, in general, the interactive effects of toxic substances tend to be easiest to detect at low exposure levels. In any case, both studies indicate that marijuana smoke reduces respiratory function. Habitual smoking of either marijuana or tobacco damages the lining of the bronchial airways. After continuous exposure to smoke, the delicate tissues along these passageways become red and swollen. Smoking also transforms the cells of the bronchial airways. These passages are normally lined with ciliated cells, whose hairlike projections move rapidly to sweep mucus toward the mouth. But when people smoke, these cells are replaced by others that secrete copious amounts of thick mucus, which can only be expelled by the notorious “smoker's cough.”
Bronchial injury, a more sensitive measure of damage than the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, is even greater among people who smoke both marijuana and tobacco. The damage extends to the interiors of bronchial cells, which develop a variety of abnormalities. Some of these changes, which are known to be precursors of cancer, have also been discovered in the respiratory tracts of marijuana and hashish smokers who did not use tobacco. Many of the same carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, compounds present in tobacco smoke are also found in burning marijuana. In particular, unfiltered smoke from joints contains higher concentrations of a class of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than does smoke from tobacco cigarettes. Since marijuana users generally inhale more deeply than tobacco smokers, they may be exposing their lungs to even higher levels of these dangerous substances. Preliminary research also suggests that marijuana smokers' lung cells contain higher levels of an enzyme that converts PAHs into a cancer-causing form. Thus, it is not surprising that several studies implicate marijuana smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer as well as for mouth and throat cancer.
To date, only one large-scale study?has sought to determine the frequency with which marijuana smokers develop cancer. It included some 65,000 men and women clients between the ages of 15 and 49. Among these people, 1,421 cases of cancer were found, but marijuana use—defined as taking the drug on six or more occasions—appeared to increase only the risk of prostate cancer in men who did not smoke tobacco. In contrast to human studies, research on the effects of marijuana smoke at the cellular level provides strong evidence that it contains abundant carcinogens. An especially convincing study evaluated changes in blood cells taken from pregnant women who were exclusive smokers of marijuana and also from their babies after they were born. In a class of white blood cells called lymphocytes, the researchers found significantly more DNA aberrations of a type linked to cancer development as compared with lymphocytes from non-smoking women and their new-borns. In previous studies the same group of investigators had found similar changes in the DNA of tobacco smokers, indicating that the substances responsible for this damage are present in both marijuana smoke and tobacco smoke.
In summary, while marijuana is not equivalent to tobacco in terms of nicotine content, both substances can pose health risks when smoked. Many health experts recommend considering alternative consumption methods if individuals choose to use marijuana for its therapeutic or recreational effects. Additionally, responsible and informed use, as well as regular health check-ups, can help mitigate potential risks associated with marijuana consumption. Public health campaigns and ongoing research are important in better understanding the health implications of marijuana use.
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According to TravelPulse these are high times for travellers who equate Caribbean vacations with the opportunity to enjoy marijuana's pungent aromas and intoxicating impact. Weed decriminalisation is advancing across the?region, with more islands poised to officially welcome the relaxed atmosphere under which some visitors have enjoyed cannabis use for years.? Nevertheless, marijuana decriminalisation in the region culminates a long period during which the drug was illegal yet easily available on several islands, often in areas frequented by vacationers. "More and more Caribbean islands are making major policy decisions to decriminalise marijuana use for limited amounts and to cease arresting people possessing weed for personal or sacramental purposes," said?Kelly Fontenelle, founder of the Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean (TASC) advisors' group. "This move points to a potentially more welcoming landscape in the Caribbean for cannabis tourism," she said. "But restrictions in local laws regarding open and public consumption still pose challenges, and more legal reforms are needed to regulate the social consumption of pot." As Fontenelle and others acknowledged, a subset of American travellers clearly associate Caribbean vacations with an easy going tolerance for marijuana use. "Most people come to the Caribbean and they anticipate smoking weed," said Terrence Nelson, a long time U.S. Virgin Islands legislator.
Indeed, some long time Caribbean travel professionals see decriminalisation as a positive development for travellers as well as Caribbean communities. "I believe that [decriminalisation] may make visitors feel more safe in these destinations that are taking positive steps to lessen the crime rate and create more transparency," said Nicole Barrett, founder and CEO of Espy Global: Travel Marketing Solutions. Yet despite its image among some travellers, marijuana use remains controversial in several Caribbean nations. The region's laid-back character belies a mostly socially conservative populace, and many Caribbean citizens do not appreciate the ganja-loving reputation with which their countries are sometimes associated. Overall, the changing landscape of cannabis policies in the Caribbean offers new options for travellers interested in cannabis-related experiences. However, it's crucial for tourists to be well-informed, responsible, and respectful of local laws and cultures when considering cannabis use during their vacations in the region.
?Cannabis is not, to be sure, a completely benign substance. It is a powerful drug that affects the body and mind in a variety of ways. However, except for the damage caused by smoking marijuana, its adverse effects resemble those of many approved medications. While the effectiveness of marijuana-based medicines remains largely to be determined, existing clinical data suggest that marijuana and its component chemicals could contribute to the treatment of numerous disorders.?
In summary, the therapeutic potential of cannabis is a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry, and it is recognised for its complexity. While there is evidence to suggest that certain cannabis-derived compounds may offer benefits for certain medical conditions, responsible and informed use, in consultation with healthcare providers, is essential to maximise potential benefits and minimise risks. Additionally, continued research and regulatory oversight are crucial to better understand and harness the potential of cannabis-based medicines. While cannabis is not without risks, its potential for therapeutic use and its evolving legal status in various regions underscore the need for informed discussions and research to better understand its effects and benefits.
Hypnosis can potentially be used as a tool in the treatment of cannabis addiction, but its effectiveness varies from person to person. It's important to note that hypnosis alone might not be sufficient for overcoming addiction; it's often used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include therapy, counselling, support groups, and other interventions. Hypnosis for addiction typically aims to address underlying psychological factors contributing to the addiction, such as stress, anxiety, or trauma. By accessing the subconscious mind during hypnosis, therapists may help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and attitudes towards cannabis use.
However, the success of hypnosis depends on several factors, including the individual's willingness to participate, their responsiveness to hypnosis, and the skill of the therapist. It's essential for individuals seeking treatment for cannabis addiction to work with qualified professionals who can tailor the approach to their specific needs and circumstances. Overall, while hypnosis may be a helpful adjunct therapy for some individuals struggling with cannabis addiction, it's not a stand alone solution and should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan.
References to this article can be found at:
National Library for Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224396/#ddd0000023
Frank
Marijuana Tourism Making an Impact in Caribbean Destinations - TravelPulse
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Terence Liburd
Senior Practitioner in Hypnotherapy Practice SQHP GHR ISCH
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