Chapter 7 How Cannabis Works in the Body Cannabis contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. When THC enters the brain by smoking, vaping, or eating edibles (e.g., gummies or brownies), it influences chemical reactions that create positive feelings or a “high.” While this is happening, cannabis is also altering normal communication inside the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. These alterations can seriously affect movement and coordination, sensation, pain, emotions, judgment, decision-making, memory, and appetite. 7 Talking About Cannabis and Medications Next to alcohol, cannabis is the most misused drug among youth. According to published studies: By the age of 20, approximately 50% of youth have used cannabis in their lifetime. This is 2-3 times more than either younger individuals or older individuals. By age 20 Data shows that 1 in 3 youth who drink alcohol have also combined alcohol with cannabis on the same evenings. On these occasions, they tend to experience 2-3 times more problems compared to those evenings when they consume only alcohol. 1 in 3 youth Data show that the initiation of e-cigarette use results in higher initiation of cannabis use. Vaping Odds of cannabis use by teens are statistically significantly higher when they reported their parent, sibling or best friend use cannabis. Odds of use Further, students that used both e-cigarette and cannabis report higher rates of experiencing violence, unintentional injury, risky sexual decisions, and other substance use compared to students who did not use e-cigarette or cannabis. Poly-use
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