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What is Marijuana

Marijuana is a plant that grows wild in most parts of the world but is also grown indoors. In many cases, marijuana is grown to produce leaves and flowers (so-called buds) which, among other things, contain the psychoactive substance delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana is also grown for other purposes. The plant has properties that, among other things, make it suitable for the textile, food, plastic, and paper industries. In addition, it can be used as an energy crop and as medicine.

og-skunk-regular-marijuana-seeds

Marijuana as an intoxicant

It is the psychoactive substances in the marijuana plant that allow the plant to be used as an intoxicant. To smoke marijuana, the plant parts must be prepared. This is done by either drying the flowers to produce smokable buds or by extracting the resin to produce hash or hash oil.

The most common way to get high with marijuana is to smoke it. This can be done, among other things, in the form of a joint (cigarette), hookah, pipe, or with the help of other smoking tools. Marijuana can also be used in cooking where the active substances are taken orally. When smoking marijuana, the state of intoxication comes almost immediately, unlike oral intake where the effects come after 1-2 hours. When taken orally, more cannabis is needed, but the effects last much longer.

Effects during the state of intoxication

A person intoxicated with marijuana usually feels the following effects during the state of intoxication:

  1. Euphoria and relaxation.
  2. Enhanced perception of sound, taste, smell, and other sensory impressions.
  3. Changes in thinking and expression.
  4. Talkativeness.
  5. Increased appetite and dry mouth.
  6. Worse short-term memory, learning ability, and motor skills.


7.*At high doses, the perception of time can change, thought paths and impressions can change greatly and mild hallucinations can occur in some cases.

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Closeup of the marijuana plant

Negative effects during the state of intoxication

A person who gets “over-intoxicated” with cannabis, uses cannabis in conjunction with alcohol, or for some other reason gets a negative marijuana intoxication may, among other things, experience the following during the state of intoxication:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia

Negative marijuana intoxication can be prevented by being comfortable in one’s surroundings, relaxing, being in a good mood, and by not using too much marijuana.

Anyone who has a negative experience should try to relax and remember that it will soon pass. The effects of marijuana are temporary.

Fast carbohydrates can counteract certain negative experiences as a result of blood sugar drops.

Negative longterm effects

Using marijuana is not without risk.
If marijuana is smoked, the lungs and airways are damaged.
This applies when smoking all organic material and can be avoided by eating marijuana edibles or by using a so-called vaporizer.

Heavy use may cause impaired concentration and learning ability.
However, these effects disappear if the practice is scaled down or discontinued.

Cannabis is psychologically addictive.
Cannabis is thus addictive in the same way as, for example, games or computers. If cannabis use has become part of a person’s everyday life, it can be difficult to stop smoking cannabis. The physical dependence is very weak.

Cannabis can worsen depression and other mental disorders.
If you suffer from depression and smoke cannabis, your condition can worsen. The same applies if you suffer from a mental disorder or if you have a tendency to develop a mental disorder.