Cannabis is a word that designates several psychoactive drugs and medicines derived from plants of the genus of the same name. In scientific terms, cannabis’s main psychoactive constituent is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is one of the 400 compounds present in the plant.
Today, in several countries, there is a discussion surrounding the legalization of this substance and the effects it would bring. But the fact is that the cannabis that exists today has different characteristics than what we had a few years ago.
The changes in cannabis
According to Psychology professor Ty Schepis, from the University of Texas, the term cannabis is comprehensive and covers several types of plants that have been modified over time. “When most people over 40 think of cannabis, they imagine its dried, smokable form. This cannabis was not particularly strong: the average THC concentration measured by the Drug Enforcement Agency in 1995 was 4%, while in 2021 was around 15%”, he explains in text on the portal Science Alert.
Today there are many different cannabis concentrates that have high levels of THC, from 40% to 70%, even more than 80% in some cases. This depends on the extraction method and includes pastes and oils that can be vaporized or rubbed over the body.
The effects on the brain also vary depending on the chemical compound. The most common among them are THC and cannabidiol (CBD). The latter, in fact, has medicinal uses and brings already recognized benefits in cases of severe epilepsy, for example. But it is worth remembering that the compound must be used under medical supervision, as it can cause unforeseen reactions.
New cannabis products and possible risks
Another change that occurred was the emergence of new uses for cannabis based on byproducts generated from it. Because the plant now has more THC than in the past, these products can raise blood levels of the compound quickly and more strongly than its traditional version, which was just smoked.
It turns out that using high-potency cannabis products can lead to a greater chance of reverse effects such as psychotic and schizophrenic breaks, paranoia, and addiction. And this may occur more frequently depending on the method used and the age of the user.
Teenagers, for example, may prefer a vaporizer that does not produce the characteristic marijuana smell. A 2021 study found that past-year cannabis vaping nearly doubled between 2017 and 2020 in teens — it jumped from 7.2% to 13.2%.
For Ty Schepis, the data is frightening, as it could alter the development of young people’s brains. “Research shows that the brains of teens who use cannabis are less prepared to change in response to new experiences, which is a key part of adolescent development. Teens who use cannabis are also more likely to experience symptoms of schizophrenia, have more difficulties at school and engage in other risk behaviors”, he states.
These risks increase with the use of cannabis with a high concentration of THC. He makes a comparison with alcohol. “Most people know that a 600 ml beer is much less potent than 600 ml of vodka. Cannabis that is smoked is closer to beer, while concentrate is more like vodka. Neither is safe for a teenager, but one is even more dangerous”, he concludes.
