Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between marijuana and cannabinoids? ›

CBD and THC are two of many cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Although they have similar structures, they interact with different receptors. As such, only THC causes the high people associate with cannabis. Cannabinoids refer to substances in the cannabis, or Cannabis sativa, plant.

What do cannabinoids do? Similar to opioids, cannabinoids produce their effects by interacting with specific receptors, located within different parts of the central nervous system. Simply put, cannabinoids regulate how cells communicate—how they send, receive, or process messages.

At least one animal study shows high doses of CBD can harm an unborn baby. Have liver disease: Studies show healthy people could get liver damage if they take high doses of the FDA-approved CBD drug, Epidiolex. People who already have liver problems may need to take a lower dose.

Marijuana comes from a plant called hemp. Its scientific name is Cannabis sativa. The main, active ingredient in marijuana is THC (short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). This ingredient is found in the leaves and flowering parts of the marijuana plant.

Though it's often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. CBD can also interact with other medications you're taking, such as blood thinners. Another cause for concern is the unreliability of the purity and dosage of CBD in products.

Each strain smells different, because of its terpene profile, but in general good flower smells strong and earthy, skunky, fruity, or floral. Low-quality flower on the other hand often smells stale and can remind you of an old barn or hay. Before buying a new strain, research the effects.

Medical marijuana is increasingly available in the U.S. It is often used to treat chronic pain, muscle spasms, nausea, and vomiting, and to increase appetite. However, it can affect thinking and memory, and increase the risk of accidents, plus smoking it may harm the lungs and lead to cancer.

What happens to your brain when you sleep high? ›

It is believed that the sleep-promoting effects of cannabinoids are due to their interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain's arousal system.

Synthetic cannabinoid toxicity is associated with similar symptoms. However, sympathomimetic toxicity, acute psychosis, and agitation, as well as seizures and sedation can occur. In severe cases, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure have occurred.

Acute intoxication with cannabinoids can impair memory and behavioral inhibition. Cannabinoids also regulate anxiety and can produce psychosis-like effects. Evidence shows that age at exposure may influence the effect of cannabinoids on cognitive function.

But few people know that the human body naturally produces chemicals that are very similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, which comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. These substances are called endocannabinoids, and they're found across all vertebrate species.

The spelling of marijuana has a long history in the United States. Michigan's history primarily starts from the spelling that was chosen for the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Michigan adopted its statutory definition of marijuana in the Public Health Code, utilizing the past federal spelling, marihuana.

The presence of CBD itself won't show up on a drug test. However, the use of certain CBD products could, in theory, result in a positive test if there are low levels of THC present. THC sometimes finds its way into CBD products due to contamination in the manufacturing process.