Hashish and marijuana obtained from Indian hemp are the most common types of narcotic substances. Marijuana is made from the leaves of the plant, and hashish is made from its pollen.
According to the Lancet magazine, published in the UK, hashish and marijuana occupy 11th place in the ranking of harmful substances with narcotic effects, while alcohol is in 5th place and tobacco is in 11th place.
Most often, hashish and marijuana are smoked or ingested. The effects of use include short-term euphoria, good mood, feelings of joy and well-being, followed by hallucinations and subsequent depression. The psychotropic effect of cannabis derivatives is due to cannabinoids, of which there are about 60. The most powerful psychotropic effect of the cannabinoids (cannabinols) is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabinoids have been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine and have antinausea and antiemetic effects. The cannabinoid drug Marinol (dronabino) is used in some countries to suppress nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy and to treat anorexia nervosa.
The prevalence of hashish and marijuana use is extremely high. Research has found that in some countries up to 40% of adults use them or have ever tried them. This indicator varies widely depending on the geographical location of the area and cultural traditions.
The effect of drugs on the body
Effect on organo- and fetogenesis: the effect of cannabinols on embryogenesis and further development of the fetus has a clearly defined dose-dependent nature. Since women who use cannabis on a regular basis, even during pregnancy, are highly likely to abuse other drugs, smoking and alcohol, and also tend to ignore raising their children, then isolating the isolated effects of marijuana and hashish on the prenatal and subsequent development of the offspring of such It’s very difficult for women.
It is known that metabolites of cannabis drugs do not penetrate the placental barrier well, and their concentration in the fetal blood is lower than in the maternal blood. The most common consequences of hashishism during pregnancy are premature birth and intrauterine growth and development retardation (IUGR). It has been shown that consuming more than 5 cigarettes with cannabis derivatives per week leads to the birth of low-birth-weight children of small stature, with a reduced head circumference. The weight of such newborns differs from the average by 130-150 g. Another scientifically established fact is a decrease in the fertility of boys, a violation of the formation of the nervous system and behavioral functions.
The influence of drugs on child development
Recent studies of the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to cannabinols on the neuropsychological development of children have demonstrated:
- presence of deficits in attention and cognitive abilities,
- increased incidence of hyperactivity,
- difficulties of social adaptation and interpersonal interactions.
However, scientific studies have not confirmed the connection between the use of marijuana and hashish and the formation of fetal malformations.
The penetration of cannabinols into mother’s milk and possible entry into the baby’s body has been proven.
Recommendations: A pregnant woman should be strongly advised to refrain from using cannabis derivatives, citing the risk of intrauterine growth retardation and fetal development and premature birth. The risk of these adverse effects is reduced when the intake of cannabinols is stopped or the dosage is reduced at any stage of pregnancy.