Marijuana, or Cannabis, is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in countries throughout the world. THC, the psychoactive element found in recreational (and some medical) marijuana is responsible for giving a user the “high” effect.
How does it work?
While it was long thought that the psychotropic effects of THC resulted from interference with membrane fluidity, it has now been found that cannabinoid activity is highly selective and there are actually specific cannabinoid receptors (CBRs – CB1 and CB2) and their associated ligands that THC binds to. This causes an intracellular signaling cascade resulting in the typical associated effects of marijuana.
Endocannabinoid System
Intrigued by the discovery of CBRs, researchers speculated that an endogenous cannabinoid-like substance might exist.
This is exactly what they found. In fact, our body produces two main endogenous cannabinoids: 2 – arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA).
Even more interesting, is that natural and synthetic cannabinoids, physiologically and pharmacologically, were found to have similar properties to AEA and 2-AG, such as analgesia, motor depression, catalepsy, hypothermia, reduced emesis, etc.
These compounds, AEA and 2-AG, are produced by the body as needed and can serve vital biological functions. Quite obviously, they do not produce the same “high” effect as synthetic or natural cannabinoids.
Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana
It is quite evident that the functions of 2-AG and AEA are physiologically critical. Pain relief, anti-epileptic, reduced vomiting – these all seem like good functions to have. And it has been proven that synthetic and natural cannabinoids, such as marijuana, have many of these same effects.
So why are we so resistant to the idea of medical marijuana?
I know this is not the case for everyone, but many individuals I have spoken to are hesitant when it comes to the idea of medical marijuana. The fact is, many of these individuals are uninformed. I too fell into that category at one point.
The distinction must be made that the use of medical marijuana is not just “patient’s stitting around, getting high to feel better.” Silly as that image may seem, that is what many people think. And this associated stigma can keep us from bringing to the medical forefront a highly effective medicine – yes, marijuana as medicine.
That fact is that medical marijuana, if prescribed and use properly, is not meant to cause any “high” at all. In fact, most patients that use marijuana medically don’t want the high. If they are taking this medicine morning, noon and night, or even once a day, they don’t want to get “high” every time they do. Imagine getting “high” whenever you took your daily vitamin, or a Tylenol. Though that may sound appealing to some, to many it is a nightmare. As such, doctors are very particular in the amounts they prescribe to their patients.
Additionally, pharmacists or dispensaries are very particular in the making of the drug. Most medical marijuana has a fundamentally different composition than recreational marijuana. THC levels are drastically decreased, and cannabidiol (CBD) levels (a compound of cannabis with some of the greatest medical properties, but no psychoactive effect) are elevated.
THC and CBD work in accordance to the entourage effect. When THC is present, CBD functions at a greater level and vice versa. This is taken into account when medical marijuana is produced. Some prescriptions have high CBD and zero THC, however, these are not very successful as the entourage effect is lacking.
In some serious cases, such as to treat chronic pain or epilepsy, both THC and CBD levels remain high in order to allow the CBD to function at its maximum potential.
Most prescriptions of medical marijuana, however, will have elevated levels of CBD and miniscule levels of THC. In this manner, the CBD function is promoted, but no ingested amount of the prescription would ever have a “high” effect.
What can we do to decrease this stigma?
Perhaps changing the name to something less likely to ruffle feathers would be a significant enough action. Perhaps not. I believe what is most important is becoming educated on this subject and advocating it to those who are uninformed.
Although it is rare with medical marijuana, getting “high”, is merely a side effect to a drug with many critical functions. It is not the end goal of its use. There are many other currently used drugs with side effects far and beyond more dangerous. We must look at this drug in the light of all it has to offer, and it order to do so, must rid it of its stigma.
Socially Unacceptable, Yet Highly Effective: The Tale of Medical Marijuana
