Wormwood – Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects, Dosagewormwood – Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects, Dosage

Wormwood
Wormwood is a common name for specific plants of the Artemisia genus, which includes over 350 species worldwide. Two species used commonly in herbal medicine include A. absinthium (common wormwood) and A. annua (Chinese wormwood, or “qing hao”).
Uses and Benefits:

Preparations of wormwood have been used as medicine for thousands of years. Common wormwood (A. absinthium) has traditionally been employed to eliminate parasitic worms and as an aromatic “bitter” to promote intestinal secretory activity for treating anorexia, dyspepsia, and “biliary dyskinesia.” Absinthe, an alcoholic beverage made from A. absinthium extract, was extremely popular in turn-of-the-century France. Its mild hallucinogenic properties led to the belief that it stimulated “creative” and intellectual powers. Numerous artists, including Van Gogh, celebrated these effects; however, its use was ultimately banned because of purported CNS toxicity.

Chinese wormwood (A. annua) has been used for thousands of years by Chinese practitioners for the treatment of fever and related conditions, including malaria. In the 1970s, Chinese researchers isolated an active constituent of the herb, artemisinin (qinghaosu), and found that it had parasiticidal activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Artemisinin and several semi-synthetic derivatives are now used in Southeast Asia and Africa, especially for severe P. falciparum and multi-resistant malaria.
Pharmacology:

Common wormwood contains a number of biochemical compounds that have physiological effects. Absinthin and artabsin are believed responsible for the bitter properties of herb. Several studies of bitter oral wormwood extracts have ,monstrated increased gastric and biliary secretion in both animls and humans. The essential oil contains the terpenoid thume, which in toxic doses can cause autonomic excitability and onvulsions. Thujone is believed to be the ingredient in absinthe at is responsible for CNS toxicity. The structure of thujone is releated to camphor and tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component marijuana, which may account for some of the hallucinatory effects attributed to its use. Santonin, a sesquiterpene lactone isoladted from A. absinthium, can paralyze helminthic worms, which then unable to maintain their position within the bowellumenJ Other constituents of wormwood, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and coumarins, have in vitro antimicrobial, anti-tumor, ilepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal activity.

Extracts of Chinese wormwood also contain a number of volatile oils, including camphor, thujone, cineole, caryophyllene and artemisia ketone. The sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin (qinghaosu) has antimalarial activity both in animals and in vitro. Artemisinin and an active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin, have a rapid action, and parasite clearance times are much shorter than with other antimalarial drugs.
Clinical Trials:

Common Wormwood-Despite the long history of use as an antihelminthic, there are no controlled trials of the crude herb for use in humans. Santonin, isolated from A. absinthium, was re

Cracked by Crack: the Side Effects of Cocaine Withdrawal and Abuse

Pure cocaine, along with the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” known as “crack,” is among the most widely abused substances in the world today. The pure cocaine in powder form is usually mistaken as fine sugar or baking soda. The street variant called crack is diluted and mixed with baking soda, allowing the street pushers to reap more profits. People who become addicted to both cocaine and “crack” are considered to be among the worst addicts that can be found in a rehab clinic mainly because of the intense physical and mental health damage that prolonged use can lead to. There is an extensive list of negative effects associated with long-term use of “crack.” Withdrawal from crack addiction is also very difficult in physiological and psychological terms.

Nasal passages, which are the primary pathways by which cocaine gets into an addict’s body, can also suffer severe damage due to prolonged abuse. However, the damage tends to manifest only after the drug has been removed and withdrawal has occurred. Among the possible side effects of the damage are runny noses, nasal congestion, and nose bleeding. These side effects are relatively minor and can easily be treated by using the appropriate medications and having good environment, especially at home. During cocaine withdrawal, nasal problems are likely going to be the least of a recovering addict’s worries.

Panic attacks similar to those developed by people with panic disorders are not uncommon to both addicts and recovering users. This is more pronounced once a person undergoes withdrawal because there is no longer the psychologically “stabilizing” effect of the drug. Also, people undergoing withdrawal have become so used to having “crack” on hand that they are almost mentally incapacitated by being deprived of it. Insomnia is also a recognized side effect of being forcibly withdrawn from cocaine abuse. However, insomnia encountered during withdrawal has a shorter range of effect compared with regular cases of insomnia. Mild headaches and occasional periods of excessive fear and anxiety are also possible symptoms of prolonged abuse, though they are not considered common.

Muscle spasms are usually associated with the more violent cases of withdrawal. This is particularly common in those cases where the user has developed a dependency on the cocaine being in the system, such that the mind no longer believes the body can function without it. Muscle spasms are usually a minor indication of a worsening problem in cases such as this, since people who develop them tend to suffer more physically violent symptoms of drug withdrawal. These problems generally occur in the earlier stages of withdrawal, as the shock to the body being cut off from “crack” is still fresh. As the withdrawal sets in and the cleansing process is underway, the body slowly adjusts to a normal state and the likelihood of muscle spasms and convulsions decreases considerably.

Chronic pain in the chest and coughing have also been noted as possible symptoms. Some withdrawal patients report that the coughing can sometimes be accompanied by severe chest pains. Phlegm coughed up by these patients tend to be colored black and are generally not mixed with blood unless the patient has another respiratory condition. Coughing and phlegm of this sort also manifests in people that abuse marijuana or nicotine. This is generally alleviated by any number of over-the-counter cough medications or increased intake of water and other fluids.

Effects Of Cannabis Addiction

Cannabis is a plant that we commonly call marijuana, ganja in herbal form or hashish in resinous form. It has been commonly used way back prehistoric times. However, its use became prevalent in the 20th century when cannabis was utilized for religious, spiritual, medicinal and even recreational purposes. It was then that its possession, use or sale was prohibited. To date, the use of cannabis for drug use or cannabis addiction remains illegal all throughout the most parts of the world.

Psychologically, cannabis is already a recognized addictive drug. Cannabis addiction occurs when one’s mental and physical state are prominently altered due to its consumption. Although in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), there is no cannabis withdrawal syndrome, evidences show that cannabis addiction induces similar withdrawal symptoms to other drug addiction.

But unlike tobacco, cannabis addiction has not shown to cause lung cancer, chronic pulmonary disease or emphysema. It does not also cause birth defects to expectant mothers who are hooked to cannabis. Basically, cannabis addiction is less hazardous than addiction to tobacco, prescription drugs or alcohol.

Different users may experience different effects in cannabis addiction. Factors such as the dose, its potency, its chemical composition or its method of consumption are what elicit different levels of high in cannabis addiction. Long-term effects include, a feeling of euphoria, intense relaxation, laughter and giggle fits, increased appreciation for music, and either a feeling of intense pleasure or anxiety.

Forgetfulness, laziness, distorted perception, rambling, troubled concentration, inability of motor coordination, increased heart rate, spiritual talking and paranoia are some of the short-term effects of cannabis addiction. It is also shown to manifest its ill effects on the hippocampus (the part of the brain linked with learning and memory), thereby causing short-term memory impairment. Cannabis addiction has also been associated to other mental illnesses, from psychotic episodes to clinical schizophrenia.

Nevertheless, there is always a way out of cannabis addiction. The steps may be simple yet hard and requires extreme sense of commitment and dedication to move out of this addiction. Be willing to feel whatever painful feelings and take part in being responsible for them. Instead of avoiding them with your addiction, face them. Be conscious that you want to know what it causing your pain. Discover the thoughts and actions causing your pain. It should just come from within. Perseverance, will and devotion is all that it takes.

Effects of Marijuana in the Amygdala

The amygdala has several functions, most of which are involved with assigning emotional value.  With out this part of the brain we wouldn’t be more than a droid.  The amygdala is constantly monitoring our experience.  A large proportion of the marijuana “high” is created by the impact of THC on the amygdala.

Marijuana turns the boring into fascination.  We start seeing the things most people have learned to ignore, suddenly noticing all 73 clouds floating high above.  Your senses are turned on.. taste buds erupt over your routine tv dinner.  Movies are seen for a 3rd time, as though never seen before.  Tests of driving skills reveal that people compensate by slowing down and being more careful.  Very different from drunk drivers, who tend to overestimate their skill and actually increase speeds.

Once upon a time, in a place called the United States of America, the hemp plant was harvested and turned into paper. In fact, the Declaration of Independence was signed on hemp paper. Now thanks to medical research, we are just realizing that marijuana may have serious medical worth. In a study conducted by Jerry Kennard at healthcentral.com they found the active ingredient in marijuana, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), to have anti-anxiety qualities. Participants in the study took thc pills and were exposed to a series of pictures. The pictures were meant to draw an emotion – either comforting, or threatening. The amygdale, a part of the brain that regulates emotions, was less affected by threatening images in the users of the thc pill than those exposed to the placebo.

This may lead to breakthroughs in anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals.  It would be great to see a natural remedy for anxiety instead of the addictive pharmaceuticals on the market right now. Tobacco and pharmacy lobbyists in Washington don’t want hemp to be grown because they see it as a threat to their profitability. We need to realize that hemp makes the strongest rope, can be easily turned into an alternative fuel, and has medicinal value.

The Signs, Symptoms and Side Effects of Marijuana Drug Addictions

Marijuana is the flower, leaves, bud and branches of the hemp plant. Marijuana is the most used drug in the USA besides alcohol and cigarettes. It can be smoke or eaten for its narcotic side effects. Though you can smoke to get the high, eating it takes longer to feel the effected. When smoked this drug stays in the lungs for a few seconds and can last in your urine for up to 5-10 days. It can take between four to six weeks to leave your body. Smoking weed, which is another name for this drug, can cause numerous side effects.

It can cause:

Sleepiness

Hangover

Drowsiness

Slowed reaction

Short term memory

Increased heart rate

Increased blood pressure

Bronchitis

Chronic coughing

Increased risk of bronchitis and emphysema

Change in appetite

Diarrhea

Nausea

Sweating

Decreased body temperature

Depressed immune system

Dry mouth and throat

Lack of energy

Irritated eyes and soar throat

Hallucinations

Chemicals from the marijuana are stored in the blood stream and brain. The withdrawal effects from this drug are tremors, weight loss, nausea, sweating, hot flashes, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. chemicals which are transformed into 2,000 other chemicals when smoked. A person that is a heavy user, it can take up to three months for the drug to leave the body.

The potency of marijuana has increased by 275% over the last decade. It can range in colors of grey, green, brown, red and pale yellow. If marijuana has no seeds in it, it is more potent. Five joints have the cancer-causing capacity as 112 cigarettes. Because this drug affects the lungs, anyone who smokes it has a higher chance of developing lung cancer. It can also lower the testosterone in men.

Many think that this drug is not as harmful as other drugs, but this drug is dangerous to the body just like any other form of drugs. It can weaken your immune system and prevent it from fighting off colds, flu and other viruses. In women, the drug can interfere with ovulation, menstrual cycle, fertility and DNA. In male, it can cause impotence, swollen breasts that may come with pain, discharge and fluids. Despite the harsh side effects marijuana is legal is some states and prescribe to patients with certain medical conditions.

If you or someone you know, has an addiction. Please seek help life can get greater.

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Lorna Darden

What are the Side effects of Marijuana? Marijuana Side effects .org

I am doing research and I cant find the side effects on marijuana!

Anyone suffer from Marijuana Side Effects?

I only want feedback from habitual marijuana users. I am especially interested in anyone who used to smoke a lot, but has quit alltogether, or vice versa. Tell me how you think it affects/affected your life, overall. You can also tell me a very very funny story for 10 points.

Does being around Marijuana Smoke have any Side Effects?

I often go to rock concerts and people always light up during the shows. There’s always a lot of marijuana smoke floating all around and inhaling it is really unavoidable. So I was wondering if there would be any side effects to inhaling a lot of the smoke. I’m guessing it’s nothing as severe as actually smoking the stuff, but I don’t want any drug damaged brain cells. Any help?

M-A-R-I-J-U-A-N-A   S-I-D-E-  E-F-F-E-C-T-S

Do the Side Effects of Smoking Marijuana still effect a person even after they quite smoking for good?

If a person smoked a lot of marijuana for almost a year, and then quite, are there any long term side effects that they will still have for the rest of there life, or even just a while after they have quite? for example short term memory loss, or misconception of time perception?
side effects such as forgetfulness, bad time perception, ect. can the person still have those side effects even after they have quite smoking like at least a month ago??

 

M-A-R-I-J-U-A-N-A-     S-I-D-E-     E-F-F-E-C-T-S-

Why Quit Marijuana? – The Effects of Marijuana on the Mind

Those who smoke marijuana are familiar with the “high” they feel when they smoke. This article discusses the effects of THC on the brain, as well as the negative effects of heavy marijuana use on the mind.

How does Marijuana Effect the Brain?

THC, the active ingredient in marijuana works on specific parts of the brains hardware, called cannabinoid receptors. Activating a cannabinoid receptor with THC creates a bunch of cellular reactions that eventually create to the “high” that you feel when you smoke weed. Cannabinoid receptors exist throughout the brain. They are most common in parts The areas of the brain that influence pleasure, time, memory, and concentration have the highest conentration of these receptors. Smoking marijuana regularly can overwhelm these receptors and cause some negative mental effects. Studies have shown that frequent marijuana use can rewire the dopamine pleasure receptors in the brain.

What are the Negative Effects of Marijuana on the Mind?

Research has shown that marijuana use lowers memory and other mental functions for up to a couple of days after smoking. If you smoke daily, or more, you may always be functioning at a below normal mental level. Studies have also show a link between weed use and mental problems like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. The jury is out on whether marijuana causes, influences, even has any affect on these illnesses. If you have ever had a psychotic reaction to marijuana, you are more likely to have a psychotic break later in life than if you smoked and did not have one. Clarity of mind is one of the greatest benefits of quitting weed.

One of the biggest issues I had with my marijuana addiction was how lazy and forgetful I was. The term for this is “amotivational syndrome”. People who smoke a lot of weed and are amotivational are what we refer to as “burnouts”. Some people can smoke frequently and be functional, some can’t. Personally, I believe that amotivational syndrome is marijuana-induced depression.

Do you want to Quit Marijuana?

After smoking marijuana for close to 10 years, one of the main reasons that I wanted to quit was to get my mind back. I feel like a different, better person now that I am not stoned all of the time. Most people can’t quit weed because they don’t know what to expect, or don’t have a plan.

You can escape the stoner lifestyle! If you want to be fully prepared and successful when you quit marijuana, check out the Marijuana Addict website at http://www.marijuana-addict.com/

Reference : Marijuana Effects on the Mind

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