DOPE SCIENCE
Cannabis is the subject of burning medical debate, yet the facts remain hazy. MH breaks down the science so you don’t make a hash of things
Cannabis is the subject of burning debate. But should you give grass the green light?
01 MIND CONTROL
First up: cannabis is not a drug. “It’s a plant which contains various ‘drugs’, specifically cannabinoids of which there are at least 144,” says Dr Amir Englund*, “notably THC, the one that gets you high.” THC hits the brain seconds after it’s inhaled, longer when eaten. It interacts with your endocannabinoid system, which affects everything from memory and appetite to pain relief. Consider it your brain’s motherboard, if the idea doesn’t freak you out.
02 ROLL CHANGE
That the occasional spliff has a relaxing influence on mind and body is a given (and kind of the point), but once your cannabinoid receptors are triggered, its effects on brain activity can be erratic. “That’s why it makes some creative while in others it impairs short-term memory,” says Englund. Lean toward the latter? Research by Spanish scientists found the hops in non-alcoholic beer have a similar, gentler effect.
03 EAT, SLEEP, REPEAT
Not all leafy greens benefit your nutrition plan. The munchies are a proven medical phenomenon, with cannabinoids enhancing cravings for sweet flavours in particular. It’s why the stereotype of a stoner clutching grab-bags of Starmix rings true. As for its soporific benefits, while rare use can aid sleep, the effects wear thin. “It’s like a prescription drug,” says Englund. “The more you use, the more likely you’ll become desensitised.”
04 NOT-SO-DOPE EFFECTS
The plant is now medically prescribed for arthritis, epilepsy, migraines and muscle spasms, to name but a few. Yet, like any other painkiller, it can have side effects. A dry mouth and bloodshot eyes might be the most apparent morning-after symptoms, but other health downers can prove more insidious. Long-term chronic use has been linked to sexual dysfunction, emotional disorders and paranoia (yes, we are talking to you).
05 BLOW THE JOINTS
If you do plan to drop it like it’s hot, we have good news: you are unlikely to become dependent. “Cannabis is less addictive than alcohol and tobacco,” says Englund; withdrawal typically lasts no longer than a week. Try scoring your release elsewhere: a study in Frontiers in Psychology found weight training with 70% of your 1RM produces a “reliable and robust decrease in anxiety”. Not all heavy habits have a comedown.