Marijuana has become one of the most controversial drugs, sparking a lot of conversations and debate. Although the reputation of marijuana seems to shift with media coverage, recent legal changes and medical research, the risks of using this drug remain intact.
The active ingredient in marijuana, known as THC, is responsible for the symptoms people feel when they use the drug. The body has a variety of receptors that can pick up this drug, but the majority of these receptors are located in the brain. When marijuana reaches the brain, it attaches to those receptors and a series of chemical reactions occur. Once the marijuana particles attach to the brain receptors, they release a series of chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These chemicals are typically released in low doses when someone experiences something pleasurable, such as eating good food or seeing a loved one. However, drugs allow large amounts of neurotransmitters to be released resulting in the user feeling extremely happy, silly, and euphoric. This chain reaction is known as the “dopamine pathway.” This is the same pathway that is triggered when someone uses heroin or prescription painkillers. Over time, the brain begins to scale back its own production of neurotransmitters, sot he user might only feel happy when on drugs. There is no natural when to get those feelings when the pathway has been disrupted. This can trap the user into a lifetime of marijuana abuse.
Common street names for Marijuana:
- Pot
- Weed
- Green
- Grass
- Dank
- Reefer
- Mary Jane
- Bud
- Herb
- Flower