Is cannabis a miracle plant?

Abstract

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a psychoactive drug obtained from the Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis plant. The cannabis plant has been used as a drug for recreational as well as entheogenic purposes in traditional medicines for centuries. The main psychoactive component of cannabis is called delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC), which is one among other 483 known compounds present in the plant, involving no less than 65 cannabinoids as well as cannabidiol (CBD). There are different ways how cannabis can be used such as smoking, vaporizing, food ingredient or an extract. Cannabis presents different mental and physical effects involving euphoria, alteration of mental status, sense of time disruption, difficulty concentrating, impaired short-term memory, alteration of body movements (balance together with psychomotor control), relaxation and greater appetite. The effect can be observed within minutes when smoked, although it may take up to 90 minutes when eaten. The effect can last from two to six hours depending on how much cannabis was used. High doses can lead to adverse mental effects which include anxiety, delusions, hallucinations, panic, paranoia as well as psychosis. With regards to physical effects: increase in heart rate, difficulty breathing and nausea can be observed. Short-term side effects also involve dry mouth and red eyes.