Does cannabis cause addiction?
When discussing addiction to cannabis, you must understand the two chemicals-THC and CBD. CBD is generally used for medicinal reasons and indirectly combines with specific receptors of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to deliver therapeutic outcomes.
Because of its healing properties, CBD is used to treat a variety of conditions such as anxiety, inflammation, chronic pain and others. The best thing about CBD is that it has minimal side effects compared to conventional drugs, especially those that treat chronic diseases. CBD does not create a euphoric feeling that is typically associated with THC.
THC chemical, on the other hand, attaches itself directly to the ECS receptors and delivers a euphoric feeling. The compound is responsible for the high sensation that people experience after ingesting it.
Another interesting aspect of THC is that it’s addictive. However, the addiction withdrawal symptoms from THC are not equivalent to those from drugs like opiates or liquor. THC withdrawal symptoms include anxiety sensation, irritability, mood swings and insomnia.
Hemp versus marijuana plants
Hemp and marijuana plants belong to the same family but belong to different species. What distinguishes the two plants is the amount of THC in each of them. Plants whose chemical composition is over 0.3 per cent are known as marijuana. On the other hand, those whose THC constituent is below 0.3 per cent are called hemp.
Because hemp has minimal THC, it’s unlikely to cause euphoric feelings. Additionally, what you need to note about hemp is that it’s loaded with CBD, which is useful in the treatment of multiple conditions. This explains why hemp products are approved in the US. The legalization of hemp products in the US emanates from the fact that CBD does not cause euphoric or addiction in the consumers.
The marijuana plant, however, has vast amounts of THC, which makes consumers feel high. Extensive use of marijuana can cause addiction and users may display withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and lack of sleep. This is the reason why federally, marijuana use is illegal in the US.
Conclusion
What determines whether cannabis is addictive or not is the amount of THC in the plant. If you consume cannabis with THC composition exceeding 0.3 per cent, you’re likely to get high. Additionally, you may find yourself in addiction in case you consume THC for a long time. CBD, on the other hand, does not have addictive properties and is associated with therapeutic qualities.
By Whorehay Navarro
THE CHICAGO PLUG 