What are soft drugs and what effects do they have?

Soft drugs is a generic term, non-technical, with which we refer to substances that even if they have an effect on the brain and psyche, however, would not have the ability to give “heavy” consequences such as addiction and withdrawal. But is it really so?

This question can only be answered sensibly if we remember that drug addiction is not an exclusive effect of the drug, more or less light, but the result of the interaction between the drug and the user.

The quantity, frequency, route of intake, circumstances of consumption, individual sensitivity, intake together with other substances, strongly influence the effects of a drug on a particular individual.

So it could be said that there may be “hard addictions to soft drugs” and “soft addictions to hard drugs”. In summary, any substance that acts on the brain and psyche can cause more or less serious problems depending on how much and how the person who takes it lets himself be taken by it.

The role of cannabis among soft drugs
In a generic and inaccurate way, soft drugs refer to psychotropic substances obtainable from a plant native to South Asia, Cannabis (botanical name Hemp).

Depending on the environment and climate in which it grew, the plant has different characteristics:

Cannabis sativa: has a slender shape with light green leaves. These plants tend to have high concentrations of THC tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient that gives the psychic effects typically sought by those who consume Cannabis and a low content of CBD, Cannabidiol, a component that has essentially sedative and pain-relieving effects, but not psychoactive. It is the type of native Cannabis most used to obtain the drug.
Cannabis indica: it is distinguished by its smaller size and bushy forms, this one has a higher concentration of Cannabidiol than the sativa. The cannabis strain in question leads to a state of muscle relaxation, a calming effect and, in addition, it helps you sleep.
Cannabis ruderalis: this one has a low concentration of THC combined with a high content of Cannabidiol. The main characteristic of Cannabis ruderalis is that it is self-flowering, that is, it does not depend on the photoperiod to flower. This variety is used in the creation of hybrid genetic plants (i.e., partly ruderalis, and partly indica and / or sativa), from which types of Cannabis are obtained with concentrations of active ingredients typical of indica or sativa, but self-flowering. , therefore easier to grow.

Soft drugs obtained from cannabis.
Here are some of the psychotropic substances obtainable from Cannabis and which, as we have already said, generically, are defined as soft drugs.

Hashish is the product obtained by processing the resin of female flowers. It has a high THC concentration, between 10 and 20%, so it is potent.
Ganja (or sensimilla) is the dry, non-resinous material on the tip of female plants, which has between 5 and 8% THC.
Hashish Oil is a liquid consisting of both grassy material and Cannabis resin. It can take on a green or dark brown color.
Marijuana or Bhang is the rest of the plant and has a low THC content (2-5%). However, new cultivation techniques have tried to increase THC in this part of the plant as well, reaching up to 9%.
Skunk is a hybridization of different types of Cannabis, selected to give a higher concentration of THC, which reaches up to 25%, with a low concentration of CBD. It therefore has significant psychoactive effects but a poor sedative compensation from CBD, so it more easily produces psychotic crises.
Less and less “read”….
Taking inspiration from THC, an endless series of very potent synthetic compounds are being produced, such as JWH-018, CP 47 (spice, K2, frankincense, mojo), which are continuously varied to escape legislation and laboratory diagnostic tests. They are highly toxic substances with unknown but probably dangerous effects. The fact that they are not detectable in the laboratory is a big problem in the emergency room, in case of severe effects, because the antidote cannot be administered.

What are the effects of cannabis?
The effect is immediate if smoked, delayed if taken orally (eaten, drunk) and the duration is approximately 2-3 hours. Since THC is distributed in body fat, carboxy-THC metabilita can be found for 2 weeks (up to 4) in the urine.

The general effects that cannabis users normally look for are:

analgesia, feeling of euphoria, reduction of aggression and therefore the search for calm, sedation.

Other immediate effects but which I would call decidedly undesirable are:

compulsive hunger (called “the munchies” by those who smoke it)
hypertension with hypotension

highly undesirable are:

• dry mouth
• compulsive hunger (called “the munchies” by those who smoke it)
• hypertension with orthostatic hypotension (when we feel dizzy as soon as we stand up)
• tachycardia
• reddened conjunctiva
• The side effects of cannabis
• Without neglecting the damage caused by smoking to the respiratory system, similar to those of cigarette smoking, including lung cancer, the continuous use and therefore the abuse of cannabis derivatives, causes side effects. Some psychotic types are reversible within 2-6 weeks. The most frequently encountered are:

• depression and distress
• anxiety
• panic attacks
• delusional ideas
• paranoia
• hallucinations
• mental confusion
• disorientation
• sense of alienation
• motor incoordination
• cognitive alterations (learning and memory, so beware of young people!)
• Cannabis derivatives are not “dementing drugs” like Benzodiazepines and alcohol, that is, the effects on the ability to do complex reasoning are recovered in about 30 days of abstention.

Can You Have a Cannabis Withdrawal Crisis?
Yes. While it is commonly believed not to exist, at least one in 10 people have significant withdrawal syndrome.

The main ailments are irritability, anxiety, insomnia and nightmares, mood dysregulation (anger, aggression), loss of appetite. In addition, there may be a sense of general malaise with headache, chills, profuse sweating, physical tension. It can last for many days, even 3-4 weeks.

Why is cannabis addiction dangerous?
Cannabis addiction can cause a lot of brain, sexual and physical damage. The use of cannabis is a strong risk factor for the development of psychotic disorders.

The consumption of “soft drugs” has serious effects in adolescence, in fact, recent studies have confirmed that the use of these substances alters the ability of neurons to develop appropriately, thus leading to greater vulnerability to the onset of mental disorders , such as depression, psychosis, anxiety and affective disorders.

Sexual disturbances, both for men (inability to achieve an erection, infertility, spermatic abnormalities, decreased testosterone level and motility) and for women (increased testosterone level, altered menstrual cycle, fetal deficiency of growth, preterm births, difficulties at the time of labor). In addition, there may be physical problems affecting the respiratory system (acute bronchitis) and an increased likelihood of developing tumors and heart attacks.

Following the overview of the effects that Cannabis produces, confirming the hypothesis that they are light substances means encouraging people to underestimate the consequences that this substance can lead to, and therefore try their consumption.

In conclusion, then, how can we promote correct lifestyles and campaign against the consumption of drugs, alcohol and tobacco if we then contradictly argue that in small doses or in light form, drugs do not harm or cause harm?