Cannabis Vs Alcohol

Both marijuana and alcohol are well known substances throughout the world, with each having its own unique history. Over the years, it has been realized that alcohol is not an effective medical aid, while marijuana has been found to have many medicinal benefits. This debate between marijuana and alcohol has been ongoing for many years, with each side having its own arguments. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of marijuana vs alcohol, the long-term effects, and other related topics.

What Is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a plant species in the family Cannabaceae. It includes three primary subspecies: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis has been used for a variety of purposes, including for its medicinal and recreational effects. It is also known for its psychoactive compounds, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

What Is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use. THC acts on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which are involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, and other cognitive functions. The amount of THC in cannabis varies depending on the strain, with some strains having higher levels of THC than others.

What Is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of many compounds, known as cannabinoids, that are found in the cannabis plant. Unlike the more well-known compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use.

CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years as a natural remedy for a variety of health conditions, including anxiety, pain, and insomnia. It is also used to manage symptoms of conditions such as multiple sclerosis and help with epilepsy. CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, and topical creams.

Marijuana VS Alcohol

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which is healthier: marijuana or alcohol. It depends on how each person uses each substance. However, based on the evidence, it is clear that marijuana is the better choice for health. For years, alcohol has been legal while cannabis has been outlawed in many parts of the world. This has led many people to believe that marijuana is less safe than other substances. However, over time, the facts have come to light and we now know that marijuana is actually safer than alcohol.

The Brain

When taking any substance, there are always going to be some effects on the brain. These effects can have a big impact on things like thought patterns, memory, and physical and mental functions, both short and long term.

These positive pleasurable feelings, known as the biphasic effect, happen in two phases. The first phase is when things like motor functions start to become difficult, and this is when people start to feel overly intoxicated. But the second phase, which is more long-lasting, can have a longer lasting effect, such as a reduction in the brain’s gray matter, decreased cognitive functions, memory loss, and shortened attention span. Alcohol has various effects on the brain, some of which include reducing the levels of GABA and glutamate, and increasing the levels of dopamine. These physical effects, which are associated with being drunk, happen when our glutamate receptors and GABA receptors are affected. Short-term effects, such as slurred speech and slow movement and reflexes, are what provide the drunk feeling we encounter. But when alcohol interacts with our dopamine receptors, our brain produces more dopamine, which causes us to be happier and feel more pleasurable. This is the happy, relaxing feeling we get when consuming alcohol.

Marijuana has a few short-term effects on the brain, but they’re generally minor and don’t last very long. Compared to alcohol, marijuana doesn’t have any long-term effects on the brain at all. In fact, it might actually help protect it.

The Liver

It’s no secret that alcohol can be harmful to the liver. When you drink excessively, you’re taking in acetaldehyde, which can damage the liver and lead to serious cases such as liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and a fatty liver. Alcohol is the number one death-related cause due to drinking.

Marijuana is safer than alcohol, and there is no evidence to suggest that it harms the liver. In fact, marijuana has been shown to be effective at helping manage liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. Notably, it can help improve appetite, energy, and nausea, which can make treatments for liver disease more comfortable and successful.

The Heart

The old one glass of red wine a day additive to gain a healthy heart is true, but it is unnecessary. The boost of good cholesterol and prevention of clotting can be achieved through various other avenues such as red grape skin or a glass of grape juice. Alcohol and its relation to the heart can have a negative effect, particularly when you consume more than one drink a day. The short term effects increase blood pressure, cause irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing. Long term effects can cause potential permanent high blood pressure and also triglycerides in the blood. Heavy drinking can also lead to stroke and heart failure, it can also contribute to obesity due to the high caloric intake in beer, wine and some mixed drinks. This can cause severe weight gain with a long list of problems that come with being overly obese.

Marijuana and alcohol are both harmful to the heart, though marijuana does not pose as much of a risk as alcohol. Both substances raise heart rates, dilate blood vessels, and increase blood pressure. However, marijuana is less likely to cause stress and sudden chest pain, and may have some positive effects on the heart over time.

The Lungs

Though you may not expect it, drinking alcohol can lead to problems with your respiratory system. People with Alcohol Use Disorder are more likely to get respiratory infections, and in extreme cases even pneumonia, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. That’s because drinking alcohol weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick in general.

A recent study conducted by Harvard University has revealed that long-term smokers of joints are likely to have greater lung capacity due to the deep inhalation and stretching of the lung tissue. This leads to a strengthening of the chest muscles, which allows these individuals to inhale and exhale more forcefully. These findings support previous research on the positive effects of marijuana on the lungs, which suggests that it has a greater benefit than harm.