Every individual by default is faced with series of challenges which includes but not limited to family problems, emotional trauma, marital issue, unemployment, heartbreak, disappointments, school dropout and the likes, which to an extent leads to depression, worries and confusion; thereby making an individual to indulge in some acts that are disastrous and unhealthy to the body as an avenue to escape or cope with those challenges, but what becomes the fate of such individual when he/she sees a solution inside a problem?
Research has shown that universally, people within the age range of 17-45 suffering from one societal challenge or the other has over the years imbibe the culture of smoking as a way of relieving societal tension and dealing with pains, anxieties, struggles and depression.
In Nigeria, Kogi state to be precise, the case is not different as many youths including some adults have taken keen interest in smoking weed as a remedy to the issue of unemployment, lack of viable empowerment scheme, little or no palliatives which can be seen in form of bursary for the indigenous students of Kogi state and recently, the compulsory lockdown caused by the universal epidemic; not minding the negative effects of weed to the body and the society at large.
Weed as it is being called in some environment goes with different types of names such as, marijuana, pot, grass, herb, boom etc, which is actually a mix of dried, shredded leaves and flower buds of the ‘Cannabis sativa plant.’ It is often green, brown or gray in nature and can be taken by smoking, mixed or injected in food or brew as a tea or taken through the use of electronic vaporizers.
According to the National Institute of Health, weed reaches the same pleasure centers in the brain that are targeted by heroin, cocaine and alcohol; depending on the quality, quantity and method of consumption. Smoking weed can produce a feeling of euphoria or high by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine and can cause a range of psychological and physical effects that can be unpredictable at times.
Observation has shown that when weed is smoked or otherwise inhaled, the feeling of euphoria is almost immediate. When ingested in food, it takes much longer, even hours, for it to signal the brain to release the dopamine.
Other changes in mood can occur, with relaxation frequently being reported. Some users experience heightened sensory perception with colours appearing more vivid and noises being louder. For some, weed can cause an altered perception of time and increased appetite, known as the “munchies.”
The effect of weed can vary by person; how often it is being taken, the quality of the weed and how often it has been since they have gotten high and among other factors. This therefore means that weed taking has its advantages and disadvantages as it can make an individual feel silly, relaxed, sleepy, happy or nervous.
It is however discovered that not everyone’s experience with weed is pleasant as it is capably of changing an individual’s sense of sight, hearing and touch. Weed can make it hard for a user to think clearly; in rare cases, some people start seeing things that are not real, called hallucinations.
Research has shown that when an individual starts smoking weed at his/her teen’s years, it can have a significant impact on brain development, including decreased brain activity, fewer neural fibers in certain areas and smaller than average hippocampus which controls learning and memory functions and can also lead to brain shrinking as a sign of decrease in neurons.
These abnormalities remained two years after such individual has stopped smoking but those who started smoking weed at the age of 21 generally do not experience the same brain abnormalities as those who started earlier.
Scientifically, it is has been proven that all plants by nature which includes weed are medicinal but only work to an extent for some group of individuals; this can be evidently true as some people smoke weed and become fresher and smart, while some smoke it and wither like grass in the wilderness. This explains the fact that weed deals with blood group, gene and age; and this has made reactions of weed users to differ from one to another.
Inasmuch as weed is very disastrous and unhealthy to most bodies, it is sometimes prescribed by doctors for specific medical conditions and symptoms but however becomes more deadly when abused as it can cause mental disorder, tuberculosis, distorted thinking, unnecessary addictions, impair the brain, facilitates hunger, damages the lungs, pressurizes the heart, and for the ladies, their newborn might be underweight.
Constitutionally, every individual has the freedom of association as it is being considered that man by nature is a rational being that can think and decide rightly, but how true is this when 40% of the youths have taken pleasure in smoking weed which is not only disastrous and unhealthy to them, but also affects the social status of the society?
Observation has shown that when something bitter and irritating to one’s health is taken regularly, over time, it becomes sweet and enjoyable to the body but the effect still remains intact and deadly.
Unfortunately, some youths have started deriving joy in being address as a ‘marlian’ and they felt the only way to be feared and respected in the society is to be smoking weed; this recent behaviour has however poses a challenge and a prediction that if this irrational act continues in Kogi state, in Okehi local government to be precise, the rate of insanity among youths will increase by 37% in the next 6 years.
At this juncture, it becomes wise for everyone to know that wisdom to decide rightly is freedom to live well; and also, everyone should be reminded that causes have effects, actions have reactions and choices have consequences. It’s obvious that the negative effects of weed are enormous and is never a remedy; and as such, it should never be considered as a supplement for whatever reason.
– Ozovehe Moses writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.
