If you were ever wondering about how cannabis impacts the body, then look no further.
The famous green plant is back in the news at the moment after US President Donald Trump recently revealed that he is considering a re-evaluation of federal marijuana laws.
Under the prospective change, marijuana would be downgraded from Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, which means it has a lower instance of abuse.
"We're looking at it," Trump said about the possible reclassification in a news conference earlier this week. "Some people like it, some people hate it — some people hate the whole concept of marijuana because if it does bad for the children, it does bad for people that are older than children.
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"But we're looking at reclassification, and we'll make a determination over the next, I would say, over the next few weeks — and that determination hopefully will be the right one."
The legality of marijuana varies from state-to-state in the US, with around 40 of 50 states legalising the drug for either medical or recreational use.
Under Trump's prospective change, weed would not become legal at a federal level but instead change how it's regulated.
Which is probably somewhat less exciting than you were all hoping for.
What happens to your body when your smoke weed?
So, you're a resident or a visitor to one of the countries which has legalised or decriminalised marijuana, what can you expect to happen when you smoke or ingest the devil's lettuce?
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The first thing to note is that how you consume the drug will have an impact on how quickly the effects take hold, with Healthline saying it takes 10 minutes between smoking weed and feeling the effects.
Meanwhile, consuming THC in an edible can take longer, averaging between 30 minutes and two hours.
The amount of time in which a person will feel the effects of cannabis varies from individual to individual, and of course, the amount consumed. On average, weed consumed by smoking lasts around one to three hours, while edibles can peak after two hours and remain active for up to a day.
How does cannabis affect your body?
Once the THC enters the bloodstream, you will begin to experience a number of physical effects, which include:
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- An increased pulse rate
- Red or swollen eyes
- Feelings of relaxation or hunger, due to THC stimulation on the brain
- Dopamine release
- An increased craving for food
The effects of the drug can also depend on person to person, with some people experiencing negative side effects such as increased stress and anxiety.
According to VT, the speed at which THC is absorbed again depends on the method of consumption.
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Smoke the drug and you can expect to experience this in around 20 minutes, whereas edibles need to be broken down by the liver first.
Meanwhile, Medical News Today highlights that long-term cannabis use can have adverse effects, such as memory loss, lung irritation and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (which is nausea and vomiting).
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Brenna Cooper