Cannabis

Cannabis is a plant that has special substances called cannabinoids. One of the most famous ones is called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and it's the part that can make people feel "high" when they use cannabis for fun.

Now, doctors can use some parts of the cannabis plant to make medicines that might help folks with specific health problems. But here's the thing: those medicines are only given by doctors, and they follow strict rules when using them.

But there's something really important to remember. Cannabis is not safe for kids or young people, and it can mess up how their brains and bodies grow. So, it's not something you should use if you're still growing up.

Cannabis is a tall plant with sharp, green leaves. It resembles a bush or a small tree. People use it in a few different ways, and you might hear it called by these names:

Weed: Some folks call it "weed" or "grass." This is made by drying out the leaves and flowery bits of the cannabis plant. It can look like dried herbs and is usually kind of brownish-green.

Skunk: "Skunk" is the name for some really strong kinds of weed. It's become popular lately and is often bright green, pale, or dark green, covered in tiny crystals.

Hash or Hashish: Not as common as it used to be, "hash" or "hashish" is made from the plant's gooey stuff, and it can be black, brown, and either soft or hard, depending on the type.

The effects of cannabis can be different for each person. It's not easy to figure out how much someone has taken because they might smoke it or eat it, and it's not always clear how it will affect them.

There are many different things that can happen, but not everyone will feel them all. Some folks might experience:

Euphoria: Cannabis can make people feel really happy and good, kind of like they're in a dream.

Relaxation: Lots of people use cannabis to help them feel more relaxed and calm.

Seeing and Hearing Things Differently: Some folks might notice that colours and sounds seem more interesting or different.

Feeling Very Hungry: Cannabis is famous for making people super hungry, like they really want to eat a lot.

Having Trouble Remembering Things: Cannabis can make it hard to remember stuff, especially short-term things, and it might be tough to stay focused.

Not Moving as Well: It can make it harder to control your body and do things smoothly.

Feeling Worried or Scared: Sometimes, especially with a lot of cannabis, it can make people feel anxious or paranoid.

Getting Very Sleepy: Certain types of cannabis can make people want to take a nap.

But here's something important: The way cannabis affects young people can be different. For young people it can be really bad because their brains are still growing. It might cause problems with learning and remembering things, make it tough to concentrate, and have other bad effects. So, it's not a good idea for them to use it.

How long the effects of cannabis last can depend on a few things, like how much you took, how big you are, and if you used any other drugs.

If you're smoking it, it usually takes just a minute or two to start feeling "stoned." But if you're eating it, it might take as long as an hour for the effects to kick in.

Usually, the strongest feeling after smoking cannabis lasts for about 10 minutes to half an hour. But if you smoke a bunch, you might still feel "stoned" for a couple of hours.

When you eat cannabis, like in cookies or other "edibles," the effects can hang around for 2 to 4 hours, maybe even longer before they go away completely. For more information on Edibles visit our edibles page

Using cannabis at a young age, regularly or in high amounts, can cause several risks to both physical and mental health. Some of the risks associated with cannabis use include:

Chest problems, it can make you wheeze, feel out of breath and cough a lot. It also makes any asthma symptoms a lot worse. There is an increased risk of lung cancer.

It also increases your heart rate and affect your blood pressure, making any heart conditions worse.

There are risks for fertility too. Your sperm count can be reduced or it can suppress ovulation affecting your ability to have children.

If you are pregnant and use cannabis there is a risk your baby will be born smaller than expected pregnant, which is a health risk for the baby.

Using cannabis can also impact on your mental heath. It has been shown that using it can affect your motivation to do things which can affect your emotional, mental and physical health.

It also reduces your memory so you can’t remember things or learn new information.

Despite what you may think it can disturb your sleep, make you depressed, anxious, panicky or even aggressive. It can also cause hallucinations.

It cause a serious relapse for people with psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia.

It can also increase your chances of developing illnesses like schizophrenia, especially if you have a family background of mental illness and you start smoking in your teenage years

Your brain continues to develop until the mid-20s, and cannabis use during this period can interfere with this process, leading to long-term learning difficulties.

Regular use of cannabis can lead to dependence, where a person may find it challenging to stop using despite negative consequences.

Cannabis can affect your coordination, reaction times, and judgment, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries, particularly when driving or operating machinery.

Cannabis is illegal, and getting caught with it can lead to legal issues and a criminal record.

If you, or someone you know is having problems with drug and/or alcohol misuse Response can provide help and support.

Response offers a wide range of support for young people, aged 13 - 19 including drugs & alcohol, counselling and lifestyle support.

To contact the team call 0151 666 4123 or email response@wirral.gov.uk

For people over 19 support is available from Wirral Ways. Wirral Ways is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service. We provide a non-judgemental service, with qualified, experienced staff and volunteers who offer support in health and wellbeing and substance misuse. We can talk to you in several supportive environments, all of which have a friendly atmosphere and provide you with information to help you reduce your substance misuse or become abstinent.

Telephone: 0151 556 1335

Email: wirral.services@cgl.org.uk

Remember that reaching out for help is a courageous and vital step towards addressing any substance use issues. There are resources and professionals available to support you on your journey to recovery. Don't hesitate to seek help and take the necessary steps to improve your well-being.