Pabon - Marijuana and Sex

Marijuana has been a very controversial subject over the years. While it is often referred to as illegal, its importance to a variety of ailments and varying conditions cannot be ignored. In the US alone, there are millions of users of marijuana especially among young adults. Two states have legalized the drug to be used by adults for recreational purposes while a number of others are still debating its importance. Still, some states have laws that authorize its use for treatment of given medical conditions.

With plenty of names in different countries, marijuana is often referred to as cannabis sativa. Cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis are the other names for varying species.

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is obtained from a mixture of leaves, buds, flowers, stems and seeds of the hemp plant. The resultant substance contains chemicals that alter the functions of the mind. THC, or delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most conspicuous chemical that is known to cause the greatest effects on users. Some of these include irritation, joy, suspicion and relaxation. All these depend largely on the drugs potency which is influenced by its preparation as well as storage.

Immediately after the use of marijuana, most people develop red eyes, dizziness, increased blood pressure, increased appetite, increased heartbeat, dry mouth and many more. Of course all these physical and emotional effects vary from one user to the other, mostly depending on ones hormonal make-up. Some other factors that may influence the reaction of this drug on users are food, medical conditions and hereditary factors. In most cases however, the drugs potency will determine how an individual behaves after its use.

While different people use the drug in various forms, most users smoke it when it is rolled in cigarette form called joints or in pipes referred to as bongs. It can also be smoked in cigars which have been emptied of tobacco before being filled with marijuana and a bit of tobacco. This is called blunts. Some users mix it with food while others brew it as tea. When smoked, it produces a pungent yet distinctive sweet and sour odor unlike that of a cigarette that may sometimes be suffocating.

How Marijuana Works?

When a user smokes marijuana, THC passes from the lungs to the bloodstream where it eventually moves to the brain and other organs of the body. However, when it is used in food or drinks, it gets absorbed slowly. As soon as it gets to the brain, there are molecular targets it specifies called cannabinoid receptors. These receptors easily get activated by chemicals that are the same to THC that occur in the body naturally which form a neural communication network referred to as endocannabinoid system. The system plays a major role in the normal as well as development function of the brain.

A bigger part of cannabinoid receptors is usually found in the part of the brain responsible for pleasure, coordinated movement, concentration, thinking, time perception and sensory. When smoked or ingested into the body, marijuana makes the endocannabinoid system over active, a state which users refer to as high. Other effects experienced and debated include altered moods and perceptions, disrupted memory which in turn affects learning in some positive ways, difficulty in thinking as well as solving problems. All these and other reactions are experienced by users depending on each individual.

Lately, marijuana has been touted as an aphrodisiac when it comes to sexual pleasure. This has led to a number of young adults using it to boost libido. The relevance of sex in the society cannot be underestimated. Through sex, human beings just like other animals, are able to (procreate) multiply. And one factor that misses in the other animals yet is very alive in the human being is the pleasure part of sex. Human beings obtain pleasure in a variety of ways, with sex being the most preferred owing to its immense benefits.

For various reasons however, some people tend to have little or no interest in sex. Many reasons are to blame for this scenario. Perhaps the first one is the heightened stress levels due to the high cost of living, changing lifestyles, too much work and little time for relaxation. When one is stressed, the sexual desire goes down too. This explains why a number of people resort to several remedies to boost desire as well as performance.

Sickness is another reason the sex drive could be lowered. Certain ailments like diabetes have been known to reduce patients to low or zero performance. Other illnesses that can compromise an individuals performance are Alzheimers and high blood pressure. Most people swear nothing irritates like the inability to perform in bed. That is why individuals go to all extents to boost their libido. When some people discovered there was hope in marijuana, they went for it.

Ancient History of Marijuana and Sex

It is no secret that the body has pleasure systems that are rewarded by sex. Sexual pleasure can only be obtained when the brain is prepared for it. This is possible only when the part of brain responsible for sex is activated. The human brain contains neurocellular circuitry that is activated by THCs structure. When an individual smokes or ingests marijuana, the high state obtained leads to unique feelings. For sexual pleasure, either the brain is able to activate its own THC after one gets feelings from touch, looking at certain pictures or reading various materials containing sexual graphics. The only other way the THC is activated is by using a bliss-inducing substance known as marijuana or cannabis.

Marijuana has been used as an aphrodisiac in India and Buddhist practices for more than 3,000 years. In North Africa, marijuana is also used to heighten libido in countries like Morocco, Egypt and other nations. The Middle East has not been left out either as Serbia has many users of the drugs.

In India, Unani Tibbi and Ayurvedic medicine systems have adopted cannabis to get rid of impotence, heighten libido and cure some other illnesses like asthma. The Indians have rituals that date back to 700 A.D. They were used to help people reach Nirvana; a state that helps the body gain enlightenment and knowledge while escaping suffering. During these rituals, elaborate activities were created to celebrate sexual union as well as kundalini yoga.

During these Indian rituals, marijuana was not smoked but instead imbibed through a traditional drink known as Bhang. To this day, the Indians consider bhang a sacred drink that resembles chai which is spiced with a bit of milkshake to enhance its consistency. This drink is on record as warding off evil spirit, healing the body, bringing good fortune and cleansing people of sins.