Hedonists rarely find the satisfaction they seek. This leads to a combination of pleasure and addiction, which seem to be ideal vehicles to feel fulfilled, but it’s never enough. They’ll always need more. As if they were governed by a master of enjoyment, some people can’t bear the weight of the world without a bit of excitement and the constant search for what they feel makes life worth living.
Perhaps this is why weed use is so prevalent now. Our brain’s pleasure section finds THC —a molecule synthesized in cannabis— as an invaluable stimulus for laughter, orgasm, hunger, thirst, and other essential processes that reach a satisfactory peak.
Everything that we find gratifying in our everyday —whether it’s eating, drinking, sexual enjoyment, certain aroma, sleeping, etc.— can be exponentially increased when there is presence of marijuana in our body. The lipids contained in this substance produce an over-stimulation in our brain’s pleasure receptors, which can lead to addiction of this natural product.
So far so good, but what are some things we still might not know about using this drug?
First off, it’s safe to say that nobody has bought the myth claiming that those of us who consume marijuana don’t develop dependency. As we become more tolerant of the substance we need to consume more in order to obtain the desired results.
If we stop consuming cannabis after a prolonged use of considerable quantities, we will undergo an abstinence syndrome. Its natural properties, do not imply that it won’t cause similar effects as other drugs.
If we experience abstinence, our body’s defense mechanisms are activated, which results in our system feeling anxious, panicked, and fearful, as if in the presence of danger.
Weed directly affects our decision making and memory processes. Any thought becomes motivated or deterred by it.
Some areas of the brain lower their activity, which is why users experience a slower reaction and memory loss.
Like with any other drug, consuming large amounts of cannabis leads to intoxication. Cognitive functions such as thinking, self-awareness, socialization, and emotional state become altered when under this effect.
Cannabis can aid neuron connections, and can help brain functions communicate with each other. This is one of its therapeutic uses.
Smoking pot during pregnancy is not recommended, since it can result in a risk for birth defects and severe brain damage for the developing fetus.
The human prefrontal cortex does not complete its formation until the age of 30, which is why consuming the substance since adolescence can mean certain connections in this area to be affected.
Subjects who began consuming cannabis before turning 17 show alterations in their ability to reason, plan, and speak later in life as a result of these atrophies to their prefrontal cortex.
While marijuana is an impressive drug, and its recreational uses have been approved in most parts of the world, we should not forget that it is still a substance that can lead to intoxication or overexposure. We enjoy intoxication but we should never overlook the damage we might be causing to our bodies. Cannabis relaxes and frees us from the stress of the daily routine, but we should not forget to be mindful of our consumption.
Translated by María Suárez
