Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three different species, Cannabis sativa[1], Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central and South Asia.[1]
Cannabis has many different strains and does produce an oil that can be healing. Extracting that oil can be done in numerous ways which is as important as the oil itself.
Smoking it may produce different results which can be harmful. The plant Cannabis sativa is known to cause more of a "high" by stimulating hunger and by producing a rather more comedic, or energetic feeling. Conversely, the Cannabis indica plant is known to cause more of a "stoned" or meditative feeling, possibly because of a higher CBD to THC ratio. While the heat volatizes the oils and allows them and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)[2] to enter the blood quickly through the lungs they also change the oils and can alter the healing effects. The more volatile oils may enter the blood and the brain and cause what we call a high. This may differ in different people but some things are similar in every case.
The chemicals it produces can enter the brain and block pain but it can also block parts of the brain function[3] where thought takes place and awareness may reside.
When the mind or part of it is shut down or access is cut off by the chemicals and oils you may get the feeling that you have your awareness heightened. Because part of your brain is shut down you may be able to focus on what is left and imagine a higher level of awareness but that is only taking place in part of your brain. The other part has gone dim or dark.
There are numerous studies that show the onset of psychosis is earlier in users of the drug especially among young people.[4]
Female cannabis plants contain more than 60 cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), thought to be the major anticonvulsant that helps multiple sclerosis patients; and cannabichromene (CBC), analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and even antipsychotic properties which may all contribute to the pain-killing effect of cannabis. It appears to be the THC that produces euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, fragmentary thoughts, lack of concentration, impaired memory, drowsiness, and even sudden panic or paranoia.
Work has been done to produce strains of the plant that are said to be low in THC and high in CBD.By crossbreeding a strain of marijuana with industrial hemp plants with less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and more cannabidiol (CBD)could be used to help heal without the high.[5]
How it works
- "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light." Luke 8:16
In the brain we have electrically excitable Neurons (neurone or nerve cell) which possesses a cell body (soma) and neurites, dendrites or axon. They do not actually touch one another but use chemicals called neurotransmitters, serotonin, epinephrine, and dopamine, to pass messages across gaps called a synapse. These cells may form a complex pattern called "dendritic tree". It is in this dendritic tree that our consciousness thinks and where we are are aware of thinking.
THC the active chemical in marijuana mimics a natural neurotransmitter called anandamide[6] THC binds to cannabinoid [7] CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are located in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia of the brain. These brain areas can control short-term memory, coordination, learning, problem solving, and unconscious muscle movements.
THC prevents anadamide from doing its job, the delicate balance between anadamide and dopamine is interrupted. Suddenly we may become euphoric, off-balance, ravenous, seemingly impervious to pain, and unable to retain information. We are preventing our bodies from doing what they do naturally. Of course if our body is already malfunctioning then THC or CBD may interrupt the malfunction.[8] THC is fat-soluble, so even though its affect to the brain may seem to stop, it can remain in body tissues for several weeks or even months.
Many drugs may dull or relieve pain although they may produce different side effects. Cannabis' ability to dim part of the brain may help multiple sclerosis patients, relieve pain, cause Parkinson patience to stop shaking and help artistic people like musicians with active cortex calm the mental distractions of other parts of their brain allowing them to focus on the music or other mental pursuits without distractions.
The commonly held philosophy, "If it feels good, do it!" may have dangerous consequences. The motivation for the use of these naturally occurring drugs that interrupt the the natural activities of the brain should be seriously examined by everyone.
When a person seeks to get high by smoking cannabis they are interrupting a natural process of the mind "to plan, organize, solve problems, make decisions, and control impulses" with something found in nature. To intentionally impair the brain to experience an escape into an induced euphoria for pleasure should be carefully examined[9].
- "It's like going to sleep and leaving all your windows and doors wide open." Comment to someone waking up who was beginning to question his use of Cannabis.
- "Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first." Luke 11:26
Religious oils
Cannabis is mentioned in the Hindu Vedas before 1400 BCE, in the Atharvaveda. Centuries later some in India identified it as the "food of the gods" and eventually became a ritual part of the Hindu festival of Holi.
To the Buddhist, cannabis is regarded as an intoxicant. Because of its recreational use it was considered a hindrance to meditation and clear awareness.
In ancient Germanic culture, Cannabis was associated with the Norse love goddess, Freya.
Amongst Israelite it was considered an anointing oil mentioned in Exodus. By some translators, anointing oils mentioned in Exodus was said to contain Cannabis.
The Dark Side
That dark place in your brain you are no longer noticing or aware of may leave you very exposed spiritually speaking.
As studies have shown there may be a reduction in the ability to plan, organize, solve problems which are usually done in particular parts of the brain. Activities that use those parts of the brain that used in making decisions may be neglected. Things you would have done may be put off or neglected altogether. Also individuals may become more impulsive showing patterns of less control over impulses that normally would be over ridden by demands of family, work and responsibility to community.
It also may leave you more vulnerable in the dim areas of your brain. Lots of drugs can do that. If you habitually drug your brain to obtain "peace" you may return to the drug to get the endorphins that are produced in the euphoric state. That is addiction.
The question is why are you not at peace already?
That might seem to be a callus question if we are dealing with a cancer patient or someone with severe back pain etc but it is always an important question if not an important part of our daily prayer.
The truth is listening to music or people talking in your headphones or just making up daydreams about the past or what you want to say or do are all part of that need to distract the brain. The brain is the tree of knowledge. It gives us a platform and screen on which to play out our lives in our minds eye. If we are dealing with guilt, anger, judgment we may feel a greater need or even compulsion to drug the brain, to get relief.
There are many things found in nature and given us by God. While you can find good uses for almost all of them we can honestly conclude that almost all of them can do harm to us if we misuse them. Doing harm to ourselves is doing harm to society. God wants us to seek His righteousness and that means the righteous use of the gifts he gives us. If we diminish our ability by the over use or abuse of natural things such as alcohol, food or herbs and plants found in nature then we are going against Nature and Natures God.
We should always approach such indulgence with a degree of wise and prudent caution and a measure of righteous restraint.
Legal or Lawful
Cannabis is a natural plant whose properties may be used for good or evil, to heal or to harm.
The outlawing of Cannabis is an abuse of nature and the liberty granted by God but the fact that a government has the power to make a substance illegal is because people have already rejected God. They have made the State their Father. Because the Fathers of the State have been given the responsibility of caring for the needy of society, it will also give them the right to regulate the activity of the people for whom they must care.
If the State is responsible for your welfare it will and should have the power over the activity of the people.
With that in mind I must add that the abuse of Cannabis and many other things for personal pleasure or distraction, which is all too common is a crime against God.
Where the line is drawn should be between you and the Holy Spirit.
Peace on your house,
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== Footnotes ==
- ↑ Cannabis sativa cultivars are used for fibers due to their long stems; Sativa varieties may grow more than six metres tall... especially as fiber ranging from paper, cordage, construction material and textiles in general, to clothing.
- ↑ the principal psychoactive constituent (or cannabinoid) of the cannabis plant. An aromatic terpenoid, THC has a very low solubility in water, but good solubility in most organic solvents, specifically lipids and alcohols.
- ↑ THC intoxication is well established to impair cognitive functioning on an acute basis, including effects on the ability to plan, organize, solve problems, make decisions, and control impulses.
- ↑ A 2007 meta analysis concluded that cannabis use reduced the average age of onset of psychosis by 2.7 years relative to non-cannabis use. A French review from 2009 came to a conclusion that cannabis use, particularly that before age 15, was a factor in the development of schizophrenic disorders.
- ↑ Charlotte's Web
- ↑ Anandamide plays a role in naturally boosting memory and learning, dulling pain, and stimulating the appetite. Ananda is the Sanskrit word for "bliss"
- ↑ Cannabinoids are receptor proteins. Endocannabinoids produced naturally in the body by humans and animals repress neurotransmitter release in the brain. Phytocannabinoids is found in cannabis and some other plants.
- ↑ That interruption may be called a cure but you might equate the believed cure with saving someone who is drowning. In the long term it would be better to teach them to swim but because of the immediate threat rescuing them must be the immediate concern.
- ↑ An addict a person who is addicted to a particular substance. Addicted - physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.