CHAPTER 1: THE EFFECT OF MARIJUANA

CLASSIFICATION OF MARIJUANA

It is little wonder that the unique make-up of marijuana has caused major confusion over its effects on the human body. Neither a stimulant nor a depressant, pharmacologically it is classified by itself (Weil 1980: Chapter 10; Schultes and Hofmann 1979:93) That it produces changes in mood has allowed for its classification as a hallucinogen, but this definition is ultimately unsatisfactory, since hallucinogens are chemically unrelated to the molecular make-up of marijuana. Plant hallucinogens, and hormones manufactured in the brain, are both water soluble: they both contain nitrogen, and are categorized therefore as alkaloids. But the marijuana compound has no nitrogen, and its active principles occur in a resinous oil, not released in water.

Almost all plants are that alter consciousness contain the element nitrogen and therefore belong to the large class of chemical compounds known as alkaloids. Among the more important plants with psychoactive properties, only Hemp (marijuana) has active principles which do not contain nitrogen. (Shultes and Hofmann 1979:172)

The alteration in mental processes that takes place with hallucinogens occurs because of their similarity to brain hormones. The usual pathways of neuronal messages within the brain change dramatically and directly when hallucinogens are introduced. But marijuana does not affect this mechanism at all. Instead its effects on brain patterns are indirect, and mediated through the more subtle regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), as will be explained in the following pages.

To classify marijuana as a drug ignores both its physiological effects and its chemical make-up. The term “drug” connotes concentration of a substance to its most powerful form, but marijuana is unprocessed, dried vegetation from a strong smelling annual herb called Cannabis. It maintains its natural complex chemistry of both active and inactive compounds rather than concentration of a single compound.

The relation ship people form with plants are different from those they form with white powers...users tend to stay in better relationships with them over time. One reason for this difference is that plants are dilute preparations, since the active principles are combined...with inert vegetable matter... Doctors and pharmacologists refer to these predominating chemicals as the active principles of the plants. which would be fine except that it implies all the other constituents are inactive and unimportant.” (Weil and Rosen, 1983:31)

The main problem with drugs is their danger, since all drugs are defined as poisonous, depending upon dose, which means overdose can cause death. However, marijuana has no known level of toxicity. The amount needed to produce a lethal reaction has been estimated at from eating five pounds at one time, to smoking 40,000 joints in one day, far beyond any physical possibility. “It does not kill people in overdose or produce other symptoms of obvious toxicity.” (ibid.)

The term “narcotic” describes a drug or poison that reduces sensibility by depressing brain function, which can cause death by stopping respiration. Because marijuana has none of these effects, its legal classification as a narcotic is completely without basis. “Guided by the ...(Victorian) ethic, the U.S...easily made the mistake of classifying marijuana as a narcotic: in point of fact, it is a mild euphoriant.” (Editor’s note in the 1973 re-publication of Mayor’s Committee, NYC, 1944, piii.)

Since marijuana contains at least 421 complex molecules; all attempts to understand how it works by the usual modern method of isolating each part and testing its effects have failed. Because of these failures, many grave misconceptions have developed, “its effects are hard to describe because they are so variable”

Studies Since the 1960s marijuana has been the subject of thousands of studies by the U.S. Government, pharmaceutical companies, and private agencies. Even though the investigations funded by the U. S. Government and pharmaceutical companies set out specifically to prove the harmfulness of marijuana, the conclusions have all been favorable (and we must assume that this is the reason they have been kept from the public). Time and again untested and preposterous allegations have been highlighted in the press, such as, that marijuana caused birth defects, brain damage, lung cancer, or sterility, but whenever these accusations were scrutinized, and completely disproved, these findings were only grudgingly and cautiously reported to the public with the overt warning that further tests may prove different conclusions. The last government-sponsored investigation was begun in the Nixon years and finally completed during Carter’s term. Marijuana was almost decriminalized at that time because the Commission could find no danger whatsoever issuing from its use, either for health or behavior, but because of fierce political pressures from the hard-core conservative elements, it remained stigmatized and illegal.

This plant has become so misunderstood that no agency, respectable scientist, or political group has dared to suggest the overwhelming advantages to be derived from the general and regular use of marijuana. It should be noted that in the Spring of 1996, the AMA was about to publicly declare being in favor of legalizing marijuana at one of its symposiums, but this was nipped in the bud in the nick of time by the politicized right (N.Y. Times article, June 23, 1996). This action was nearly taken because of the increasing number of therapeutic benefits for which marijuana can no longer be ignored: ; AIDS-related symptoms, chemotherapy caused nausea, glaucoma, asthma, spasticity, phantom pain, emphysema, epilepsy, stress, and loss of-appetite. The extent of these therapies (for which marijuana’s benefits are well-known) points unmistakably to a dramatic healing effect on the entire organism. But still no one can believe the obvious. Many of the private studies (before the ban on marijuana research in ‘72) presented a wealth of information, indicating possible medical and psychiatric applications, but their findings were not integrated into a general holistic understanding. Since that time the studies exempted from this ban (by the pharmaceutical companies) have dissected the compounds of marijuana with the sole intention of manufacturing synthetics which can be patented.

To be fully understood, marijuana’s effects, must be view holistically. The complexity of action of the 421 + known chemicals cannot be divided and then explained as the product of the total response. While one cannabinoid compound acts in one direction, yet another moderates the first, and so on down the line, perhaps 421 times. Only complete consideration of the innumerable elements (both active and inactive) will serve up the reality. And only be observation of the total reaction within the body and on the person can be begin to clear up the confusion. To understand this, we need to understand the Autonomic Nervous System.

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) might well be called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Our heart beat, our breath, or temperature, our appetites, all of our cellular exchanges are regulated by this automatic pilot. It sends the right signal, to the right organ, at the right time - without conscious knowledge or effort. The primary control center is the hypothalamus (section of the brain) which activates automatic processes in accordance with the body’s needs at any moment.

Marijuana (comprising various Cannabinoid compounds) molecules fit “pharmacologically distinct receptors” within this complicated mechanism.

The key to understanding how the brain communicates through this array of chemical messages lies in the shape of the chemicals and their receptors. Distributed throughout the body on the surface of cell membranes are hundreds, perhaps thousands of different types of molecular structures call receptors. Each type of receptor has a characteristic 3-dimensional shape and, with a lock, can only be opened or activated by a chemical keep with the correct corresponding shape (Ornstein/Sobel, The Healing Brain: pgs. 88-89) Howlett (a989): “This cellular selectivity provides evidence for the existence of specific receptors for the cannobimemetic...The hypothesis can be proposed for a “cannabinoid” receptor...and findings suggest...a pharmacologically distinct receptor.”

This “fit” has led to much speculation in the scientific community concerning the ancient evolutionary connection between the marijuana plant and human ancestry. (Howlett 1989)

Scientists have just discovered that there is a brain hormone that is keyed to this receptor. (Devane 1993 and Mechoulam 1996). Preliminary testing has demonstrated its identical effects with the THC molecule. This “new” brain chemical (unlocks the same receptor as the THC molecule) clarifies that the effects of the cannabinoids are completely compatible to our organisms. Our own brain produces “Anandamide,” appropriately named after the Indian word for “bliss”. What is truly amazing is that the natural brain chemical is a completely different shape that the cannabinoid molecule, suggesting a subtle, electro-magnetic twin charge between the plant compound and the brain hormone, not yet detectable.

The ANS operates through two branches - the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic, each one exerting its opposing influence in constant complex chemical cooperation to balance the body (homeostasis) under all conditions. The ANS is made up of chains of two kinds of neurons that travel from the brain and spinal column to organs throughout the body. Increasing Sympathetic activity results in outpourings of the body’s chemical stimulants: whereas additional Parasympathetic action is accommodated by the body’s chemical depressants.

The ANS is intimately connected to the mind so that when we interpret our situation as safe, when we are not tired or worried, our autonomic system rests at equilibrium, eliciting neither additional excitation (stimulating chemicals) or relaxation (depressing chemicals). If this mode of balance were maintained, psychosomatic illnesses would not exist. But life poses a complicated array of continual dilemmas, and naturally we react. Because the way we feel reflects and is reflected by our body chemicals, we need not ingest any substance from outside our organisms to change our moods. Instead through the auto-pilot of the ANS, body hormones are called forth by the situations we find ourselves in (such as rush-hour traffic) and by various forms of reaction (TV programs), and most significantly by how we perceive and think. Modern habits of excess result in imbalance - we work too hard, we think too much, we overeat, we oversleep - the net effect of which taxes our ability to maintain equilibrium. When an overabundance of excitement occurs in one moment, the ANS eventually compensates by equalizing doses of depressant hormones, so that our organisms can (and often do) swing back and forth in response to what is commonly called “stress”.

Drugs are agents that affect our nervous system in either one direction or the other. They can be natural hormones like adrenaline, which if evoked excessively, cause problems such as mood swings, and all types of psychosomatic disease, such as headaches, ulcers, heart attacks, and even cancer. Or they may be drugs that we administer from outside our bodies. Either kind can be detrimental. By introducing drugs from outside our body, we may further exacerbate the pendulum-like action in our body chemistry. Heroin depresses the Central Nervous System (CNS) as well as ANS and our organism compensates down the road by natural body stimulation, which we experience as nervousness. Alcohol works this way too. The stimulant, cocaine, use to offset sluggishness, eventually results in more sluggishness, and progressively greater cravings for stimulation. This is the vicious cycle of addiction. It can occur by ingesting drugs, or by electing our own body drugs through habits of excess (in action or even obsessional thinking patterns) which work either as stimulants or depressants. Marijuana, however apparently doesn’t affect CNS.

The Costa Rican study, edited by William E. Carter, specifically attempted to find such effects: “One of our principle objectives was to identify gross or subtle changes in major body and central nervous system functions which could be attributable to marijuana. We failed to do so.” (Carter 1980:205)

As an example of the working of this automatic mechanism: When a threat is perceived, fear is transmitted (via the Hypothalamus) to the body (through the ANS) as an order to prepare for strenuous action. Instantaneously, increased Sympathetic energizing pumps adrenaline-like chemicals throughout the organism. The heart rate increases dramatically, and the force of the heart beat also becomes greater, to respond to additional needs of the body. More blood and oxygen is sent immediately to the brain and sense organs (eyes/ears/shin, etc.) for quicker perceptions and decisions. Stored sugars for energy are released by the liver. Capillaries of veins and arteries constrict, especially in the extremities, possibly so that the loss of blood from wounds will be minimized. Blood pressure rises because the veins and arteries have constricted. At the same, time the skeletal muscles also constrict, almost in an armor-like protective fashion. Breath becomes faster, shallower, with noise and irregularity in response to increased energy needs. The pupils of the eyes enlarge for clearer vision. The body has automatically become combat ready without our even knowing it. All we did was get frightened. The ANS did the rest. This body mode is appropriately called the “fight or flight” response (Benson 1975:23), and is a preparation solely for physical exertion. Once the action is over and the stimulant chemicals have been used, the organism rests at balance. But if no physical response take place, which often happens in modern life, such as when we react to threat to our own status, ego, profit, etc. (as danger), the body remains charged by the stimulating chemicals.

The ANS responds in the same was to reality or imagination. Just thinking fearful thoughts enjoins the combat mode through chemical outpourings, and then there is a strong instinctive need to rebalance body-chemistry. Our organism is revved up but going nowhere, and we feel tense. The Parasympathetic side of the ANS reduces this tension by an equalizing excessive dose of depressant body chemicals, and then we feel tired or sluggish. We cannot escape the law of balance. If we become over-excited, later we become severely depressed. Such chronic imbalance in the Autonomic System is defined as “stress,” experienced physically as contraction or mentally as dissatisfaction, and it is responsible for most modern diseases.