Ganja

Ganja is a common name for cannabis or marijuana that comes from the Sanskrit word for the drug. Under the Controlled Substances Act, it is a Schedule I substance. This class has a high abuse potential, is not currently accepted to have a medical use in treatment, and is not considered safe for use under medical supervision

Ganga is a brown, green, or gray mix of dry ripped leaves, seeds, flowers, and stems from hemp plant. Ganja refers to any of the drugs that are made from the same plant. Ganga can also be made into hash oil and hashish. All the different forms of ganja are thought to be psychoactive drugs.

Ganja can be abused in many different ways. A very common way is to smoke loose ganja rolled into a joint. Sometimes ganja is smoked through a bong or a water pipe. Other times it is smoked through hollowed out cigars filled with ganja as a blunt. Ganga can also be brewed into a tea or mixed with food.

The active psychoactive ingredient in ganja that is responsible for many of the effects is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. When smoked, THC goes into the through the lungs via the blood stream, and then goes to the brain. When ingested orally, the TCH still goes into the blood, but at a slower rate. THC is also absorbed into body fat and gets released slowly back into the blood, making the excretion rate of TCH as long as one month.

While the symptoms of ganja have been observed, the evidence for the detrimental health effects is not conclusive. Because of its illegal status, it can be difficult to do research in order to dispute the claims of the negative effects of THC. Many studies that have been done have shown contradicting evidence about the negative studies of the THC in marijuana, making it extremely difficult to determine the effects of marijuana.

Despite ganja’s Schedule I status, the THC in ganja has been shown to be medically beneficial for AIDS and cancer patients by decreasing their level of nausea as well as increasing their appetites. It has also been shown to help glaucoma patients through reduction of internal pressure. Ganja has also been used by patients suffering from multiple sclerosis in order to relieve spasticity and neuropathic pain.

Immediate effects of ganja in small dosages include:

• Anxiety an paranoia

• Extra happiness

• Lack of concentration

• Excessive attention to one thing

• Hunger

• Lack of balance or coordination

• Dry or red eyes

• Dry mouth and throat

Immediate effects of ganga in large dosages can include:

• Vomiting

• Confusion

• Restlessness

• Excitation

• Change in sensory or time perception

• Black out

• Anxiety

• Distance from reality

• Hallucinations

Long term effects of ganja may include:

• Decreased motivation

• Decreased concentration

• Depression

• Lower sex drive

• Psychological effects

• Higher change of developing bronchitis