Journal of Health Sciences Observational News (JHSON)™
Thinking of using recreational marijuana for the first time? Get to know the endocannabinoids that your own body produces, first!
Dr Gabriel Pulido-Cejudo1,2*, Peter Humphries2 and Khadija El Abdaimi1,2*
1International Centre for Advancement of Health Regional Innovation and Science, ICAHRIS
*corresponding author, gabriel.pulido-cejudo@icahris.org
2Canadian Federation of Breast Diseases, CFBD
Article
The recent legalisation of the use of the narcotic drug, marijuana, in many jurisdictions across North America calls for a closer look at and public understanding of how this drug can affect, potentially for generations, the way our own bodies produce and finely regulate the production of cannabinoids, most of which are also present in marijuana.
In this regard, while the decriminalisation of marijuana may provide an opportunity to perform more comprehensive scientific research and improve our characterisation of the chemical entities affecting the synthesis and metabolic pathways of cannabinoids by our own bodies' cells, current reports concerning the chemical entities present in marijuana reveal a complex composition of over 500 chemical entities, of which, as of 2014, 104 have been identified as cannabinoids[1].
Although the exact chemical identities and biological functions of these molecules remain to be determined, their potential permanent effects on our own cannabinoid system remain a serious public health concern based upon our current knowledge of the possible compounded effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure on psychosis, anxiety and, ultimately, schizophrenia, in addition to the as yet unclear root causes of these mental health disorders[2,3,4].
In addition to the complexity of and the unknown quantity of the multiple chemical entities present in marijuana, smoking marijuana, similar to tobacco, exposes users to at least 4,000 hazardous chemicals, many of which are identical to those released by the combustion of tobacco[5]. Moreover, the exposure to these chemicals in individuals smoking marijuana is far greater than that in those smoking tobacco because of the volume of smoke inhaled and retained during each "puff" of marijuana, compounded by the general lack of use of filters[5].
The term, "recreational use of marijuana," implies a somewhat less harmful addiction; however, as is the case in the use of tobacco, smoking marijuana causes severe respiratory disorders that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic inflammation of the lungs, chest infections and mouth, tongue, throat and lung cancers[5,6]. The incidence of lung cancer actually appears to be greater amongst marijuana smokers than amongst tobacco smokers[6].
In an effort to better inform those who would like to venture into the so-called "recreational use of marijuana" for the first time and for those current users who are thinking of continuing and, perhaps, increasing the frequency of smoking marijuana due to its decriminalisation and subsequent easier access by the public, in general, we will provide to you a series of guiding articles with the sole purpose of letting you discover and understand the high risks to your health associated with its use.
We will start by describing how our bodies produce and maintain a very sensitive network, the endocannabinoid system. This delicate system is involved in a series of vital functions such as memory, capacity to organise our thoughts, appetite, fertility, mood and sensation of pain, amongst several other functions connected to our brain. As well, the endocannabinoid system is part of the regulation of pleasure in physical activity[7].
In our next article, we will describe the most important components of our endocannabinoid system and how external cannabinoids, like those present in marijuana, can disrupt its proper functioning, leading to mental and neurological harm.
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