The effects of marijuana vary from person to person. The same substance will never cause an identical effect on two different smokers, above all because the perception of the "high" is often linked to the psycho-physical and emotional state of the smoker , not only to the quantity of active ingredient.
Two macro categories of cannabis effects have been identified, but the Italian language does not have two different words to define them. To explain this difference we will use the English words with which these effects are identified. We talk about high to indicate that feeling of lightness and mental liveliness that you feel as soon as you take cannabis; suddenly you are active, you want to dance or walk and you are in the grip of galloping creativity. We speak of stoned when the effect is instead that of bodily and mental numbness , which often induces drowsiness. The prevalence of the high effect or the stoned effect is linked to the variable proportion of THC and CBD within the inflorescences used.
The active ingredients of cannabis: THC
THC , or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of the active ingredients most present in the cannabis plant . It is a psychogenic substance produced by the flowers of the marijuana plant, which has many effects on the human organism and, in the right doses and methods, its intake can bring positive results. THC alters the consciousness and mental state of those who take it ; the effect, however, strongly depends on the quantity and the psychophysical state of the person who consumes it : a minimal dose will lead to a short and not too intense state of euphoria associated with an expansion of emotional perceptions, while the intake of THC in high doses can have unpleasant effects on mood, which can result in depression or aggression.
The alterations, in a positive and negative sense on our organism, occur thanks to the presence of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors , present in the endocannabinoid system of the human body. Our body, in fact, is capable of producing cannabinoids endogenously and THC, by binding to its receptors, stimulates the release of dopamine from some regions of our brain, especially at the hypothalamus level. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts by modulating individual behavior , mood , sleep-wake rhythm , attention , memory , voluntary movement and much more. The binding of THC to its receptors and the resulting production of dopamine stimulate feelings of pleasure, concentration, pain relief and appetite.
The active ingredients of cannabis: CBD
CBD , or cannabinol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid , which regulates and stabilizes the effects of THC. It has many properties, so much so that it has proven to be a panacea for the human body. It has a relaxing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, promotes muscle relaxation and promotes sleep, improving the quality of rest . Its medicinal uses exceed those of any other known cannabinoid and - since it became marketable thanks to law 242/2016 which allows the sale of light cannabis - it has become a superstar. It is also considered very useful in the treatment of diabetes, alcoholism, post traumatic stress syndrome - PTSD, schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, cardiovascular diseases. It has antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects, which make it completely complementary to THC.
CBD takes on a very significant function in the relationship with CB2 receptors, which are found in the immune system, in organs such as the thymus, spleen and tonsils. It regulates the immune system and the intestinal inflammation response , preventing the elimination of natural cannabinoids, and binds to some receptors responsible for physical and mental health. CB2 receptors are also located in the brain, but not to the same extent as CB1.
When THC and CBD combine, their effects change, giving rise to the so-called entourage effect : the two substances, THC and CBD, enhance the positive qualities of each other . For example, pure THC can cause anxiety, but when mixed with CBD it has a much milder effect, promoting a positive and overall feeling of relaxation.
Cannabis and anxiety: which strains to prefer?
Indica and sativa cannabis varieties differ in many aspects, from morphology to the concentration of the active ingredient. Today it is very difficult to find pure genetic varieties of indica and sativa cannabis, since modern growers tend to hybridize genetics as much as possible to obtain varieties with multiple positive qualities. However, genetic differences can guide us in choosing the best variety for our mood.
Cannabis sativa is the most widespread variety of Cannabis, characterized by considerable growth and predominantly cerebral effects . Cannabis sativa originates from equatorial countries, those located in the range between 30° north and south of the equator, such as Thailand and Indonesia, where the hours of light remain constant for almost the entire year. They are very resistant plants because they are used to fighting for light, due to the very dense vegetation that characterizes their areas of origin.
Cannabis Sativa buds naturally contain very high concentrations of THC, while they are characterized by rather low levels of CBD. This results in predominantly intoxicating effects , characterized by positive sensations such as euphoria, inspiration, motivation, strong energy, concentration, positive mood states and appetite stimulation .
Cannabis Indica has a very different appearance from that of its Sativa sister: it appears as a very compact and bushy plant , and is characterized by moderate growth in height. They are perfect plants for those who don't have much space or need to remain inconspicuous. Cannabis Indica strains tend to produce moderate levels of THC and rather high concentrations of CBD, so much so that there are strains specifically grown to obtain higher percentages of CBD than THC. These characteristics make Indica species particularly suitable for therapeutic treatments. Typical effects induced by Indica strains are body relaxation, sedative “couch-lock” sensations, increased dopamine production, relief from stress and anxiety, reduced muscle tension, and increased appetite .
Occasional and regular use: what changes?
Anxiety is undoubtedly a phenomenon rich in nuances and closely connected to the subjectivity of each individual, but some researchers have noted that regular cannabis users tend to perceive a decrease in anxiety following the use of marijuana , while occasional users and those with first experiences have a greater chance of experiencing anxiety-provoking states.
Furthermore, according to 2009 research, heavy smokers tend to develop anxiety-provoking conditions that manifest themselves even once the effect of cannabis has ceased. This peculiarity has led researchers to theorize that some heavy smokers tend "to use cannabis claiming that it helps them avoid states of anxiety, but they should evaluate the possibility that excessive cannabis consumption is the basis of this anxiety-provoking state" . Basically, according to this research, "regular" use is useful for controlling anxiety, while "excessive" use can on the contrary favor its onset or worsening.
Importance of THC and CBD concentrations
The two most common chemicals in cannabis are THC and CBD. Although most cannabis strains contain both compounds, THC and CBD levels tend to vary from strain to strain. According to research published in Leaf Science, these two active ingredients can have opposite effects on anxiety. THC is the active ingredient responsible for the psychotropic effects of cannabis and its abuse can fuel states of anxiety or paranoia , precisely because of its influence on the amygdala. CBD, on the other hand, works by counteracting the effects of THC, to the point that some studies have shown that, if taken alone, it can be considered a beneficial medicine against anxiety .
