Understanding What Type of Drug is Marijuana?

Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is one the most popular drugs that is consumed across the globe. Its impact is apparent in different age and income groups, and in different regions across the globe. About over 147 million people, roughly 2.5% of the total population of the world, are estimated to use marijuana within a year, according to the World Health Organization. 

Even though the use of marijuana is slowly gaining acceptance and some countries have even legalized its use for both medical and leisure purposes, it is still important to have knowledge on the type of drug that marijuana is. Since marijuana is considered a psychoactive substance, this implies that it has the ability to alter the brain activities, consequently leading to changes in mood, perception and behavior.

One of the major concerns associated with use of the substance is dependence, especially if it is used on a regular basis. The tendency of having a marijuana use disorder that may result in dependency of the substance is often underestimated by most users. It can lead to dependency since some people may lack understanding that it has negative impacts. However, to consider the deeper implications of its application, it is crucial to possess certain knowledge of these aspects. 

Being aware of the risks that come with using marijuana is the first thing that could make one seek help in the event they or their loved one has developed marijuana addiction. The treatment program of our rehabilitation facility is designed to provide the necessary support and intervention in order to triumph over this addiction and lead a healthy life without drugs.

Our inpatient drug rehab center can assist you if you are having a hard time trying to figure out what type of drug is marijuana and how it can impact your life. Contact us today for a customized treatment plan to deal with marijuana dependency issues.

What Type of Drug is Marijuana?

Marijuana and Addiction

One of the biggest misconceptions that many people have is that marijuana does not cause addiction; in fact studies show that maybe 30% of marijuana users can experience some level of marijuana use disorder. The information about what type of drug is marijuana can help to dispel myths about its ability to become an addictive substance. Abuse involves frequent and compulsive use of the substance and results in withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, difficulty in sleeping, craves, irritability, and restlessness.

The need to seek professional help is however evident once one has developed a dependency on marijuana and has been using it frequently for many years. We offer various different programs in our Inpatient Rehab Center aimed at helping individuals overcome marijuana dependency and achieve sustainable sobriety.

Origin and Composition

Cannabis is a popular psychoactive substance that is obtained from the plant called Marijuana. It has several components, but the most active one is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. THC stands for TetraHydroCannabinol, it is the part of the plant that gives the high feeling when one takes Marijuana. This compound works in synergy with the brain in order to modify the mood, perception as well as cognition. Cannabis plant itself has been grown for thousands of years for purposes of getting high and other uses such as fiber production and seeds.

It is important for you to know what type of drug is marijuana in order to come up with a viewpoint on its possible bright and dark sides. So, call our inpatient rehab facility right now and let out expert representatives to guide you through the subject.  

Legal Classification

Currently, in the United States, marijuana is considered as an illegal substance according to the Controlled Substances Act. This scheduling means that the federal government considers marijuana to have high potential for addiction and no medical use. However, this federal attitude is inversely proportional to the legalization in different states. Most states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes while some states have legalized the use of marijuana for personal use as well. These legal changes are associated with further discussions and shifts in understanding the effects, safety, and consequences of marijuana use.

Uses and Misconceptions

Although marijuana is used for both recreational and medical purposes, there are a number of misunderstandings and potential risks associated with its usage, including the following:

• Medical Use: It is used in management of a range of disorders such as chronic pain, chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, and certain types of epilepsy. Some patients have testified that they got considerable relief but the medical fraternity has not reached a consensus on the effectiveness and safety of this therapy. Common issues that still remain are the inconsistent dosing regimens and potential adverse effects.

• Recreational use: It is still popular among a large number of people because the use of the substance provides a feeling of relaxation and is often seen as beneficial in social settings. Although this view may make one minimize the chances of developing an addiction, there are some people who consider it as a form of recreation without considering the negative effects of the substance.

• Dependency Risk: Although people hold the misconception that marijuana does not cause dependency, extensive use can result in the substance use disorder. These include cravings, withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and sleep difficulties and continued use despite the negative effects.

• Mental Health Impact: It is important to note that long-time use of the substance has detrimental impacts on mental health. It can therefore lead to the aggravation or even onset of various conditions, including anxiety and depression. Paranoia, psychosis, self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviors have been associated with their use, and in rare cases, they can cause severe harm to individuals with pre-existing mental disorders or who are genetically vulnerable to schizophrenia.

Find out more about what type of drug is marijuana and its impact on mental health. Please contact the Inpatient Rehab Center now to begin your path to healing and restore your quality of life.

Effects on the Brain

Marijuana also has psychoactive ingredients that act on the receptors that are found in the brain and form part of the endocannabinoid system. This system is involved in controlling several functions in the body such as mood, memory and perception. When THC binds to these receptors, it can lead to a range of effects:

• Influence on Mood: THC is known to cause a feeling of high or simply put a sense of wellbeing or relaxation. However, it can also hinder the effective thinking of a person and lead to anxiety or even paranoia.

• Impact on Memory: THC has been shown to have an adverse effect on the part of the brain responsible for short term memory. This can cause short-term memory loss and can lead to a person’s inability to learn new things.

• Perception Changes: Symptoms may include changes in sensory processes, for instance, the visualization of objects may appear to be more colorful, the sounds may seem louder than usual, and time may not pass as fast as it is supposed to. These changes can show positive development in terms of pleasure to some and negative development in terms of destabilization of self to others.

To understand what type of drug is marijuana, it is important to get familiar with its qualities, characteristis, and dark sides. You should possess this knowledge to manage its use or seek assistance if dependency on it arises. 

If you or someone you know requires help in stopping marijuana use, then our 30 day inpatient rehab program is the place to be for quality help and treatment.

Bottomline – Seek Help for Marijuana Dependency at the Inpatient Rehab Center!

If you or a close one is a marijuana addict, then it is high time to turn to specialists. It is also important to understand what type of drug is marijuana in order to be motivated to seek help for addiction. In our inpatient drug rehab center, you can expect customized treatment interventions, counseling and therapy sessions, and support groups because we have different treatment plans for everyone as we understand that each individual has distinct needs so one-plan-fits-all is not appropriate.
Overcoming marijuana dependency is not easy, but with the right kind of help, it is achievable. Do not prolong the problem — call the Inpatient Rehab Center today and start the process of healing from addiction.