Cannabis Sativa Research Paper

Cannabis sativa is a hemp plant which the popular drug marijuana comes from. The leaves, stems, and seeds from this plant can be formed into a dried leaf or hash used to smoke and also eat. In 2005 a survey was conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and it showed that 97.5 million Americans age twelve and older reported using marijuana at least once. Research studies also shows that about 9 percent of marijuana users become addicted.
Tetrahydrocannabinol also known as "THC" is the main ingredient found in marijuana which is why it can become so addicting to certain people. When paired with cannabinoid receptors The THC in marijuana is able to send signals to the brain that can cause increase in apatite, pain reduction, and …show more content…
When a user uses marijuana and it reaches the Basel ganglia is will result in slowed reaction time. This can be dangerous for those who are driving while high because they will not be able to react in time of an incident in the road such as an animal or sudden stops, causing accidents. The Cerebellum is another structure effected when using marijuana. The cerebellum controls motor coordination and balance, but with THC present it can result in impaired coordination. Impaired coordination can lead to falling and tripping over things they would normally be able to …show more content…
The effects that marijuana can have on the hippocampus is not only short term but long term as well by making you be able to forget simple things even after the high goes away or after being clean for a long period of time. One of the most common affected of cannabis is the appetite increase that you will experience after ingesting the drug also referred to as the “munchies”. When the THC enters the hypothalamus that is when the increased appetite sets in because the hypothalamus controls eating and becomes impaired when it comes in contact with the