Essay Sample on Similarities and Differences Between Marijuana and LSD

Introduction

Marijuana and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are both illegal drugs with various effects on the user. Many marijuana and LSD users believe that the two drugs are different and affect the user in distinct ways while some users feel that all the effects realized in marijuana can also be attained by using LSD among other effects which cannot be seen in marijuana. This paper explores the similarities and differences between the two drugs. The two drugs are similar in that they are both drugs of abuse that affects the use in some similar ways as well as varying ways. The two drugs also show some similarities in both chemical and constituents compositions. These chemicals are responsible for some similarities as well as differences after intake.

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LSD and marijuana occur in different forms. LSD is a mood changing chemical made from lysergic acid obtained from ergot fungi that commonly grows on rye among other common grains. LSD is illegal in most countries including the United States but is produced illegally in some laboratories where the crystal occurrence of the natural substance is formulated to a liquid and distributed for further processing into tablets or capsules sold to the users. It is usually colorless, odorless and has a bitter taste. Marijuana is made from dried leaves, seeds, flowers or stems of the Cannabis indica plant. Marijuana has numerous substances, but tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical that leads to intoxicating effects. The mode of taking is through smoking or taken orally.

Marijuana and LSD are similar in that they are both hallucinogens; however, this depends on the dose of marijuana. A higher dose of marijuana will be classified as having hallucinogenic effects as opposed to a low dose that might not have a significant impact on the user. However, the bottom line is that the two drugs can exhibit hallucinogenic effects. Qualitatively, marijuana is observed as being cloudier as well as body-centered. It acts as a mood stabilizer, painkiller, and sedative and has been used medically in curing diseases such as Parkinson diseases among other neurological conditions. Marijuana has the effects that make someone less emotional or logically soft and makes the user more aware of their energy as well as the energy of other individuals around them (Herrmann et al, 198). On the other hand, LSD is more of cerebral effects. The intoxication from LSD can result in a vast shift between nightmarish confusion and heavenly bliss with all feelings, thoughts, emotions and events appearing to come together with a smooth synchronization. The state of effects is marked by a higher state of awareness that is usually crystalline and clear. Although everything the user feels is not necessarily true, the experience is normally devoid of cloudy and but it is direct and intense (Santos et al, 192).

Unlike marijuana that is obtained from natural plants and taken directly in the natural form, LSD is semi-synthetic and lab processed and thus significantly differs from the halogens effects realized from substances that are directly obtained from plants such as cannabis. The chemical characteristics in LSD are responsible for the visuals and experiences observed on the users. Once the drug is taken, the first effects are noticed when eyes are closed and the user experiences shifting patterns. As more drug is taken, the visual shifting experience becomes intense where the user observes overlaid over walls or other surfaces in the vicinity of the user. On the other hand, the hallucinogenic effect of marijuana is marked by heightened mood (euphoria), increased appetite and general changes of perceptions. Other effects observed include short-term memory. These effects occur within few minutes after smoking and around 30 minutes to one hour when consumed orally (Riviello 41). Both drugs show similar results in that the two lead to delusion, anxiety and paranoia effects.

Due to the psychological as well as physical effects of both marijuana and LSD, research has been conducted to explore their use in medicine; however, there are no robust conclusions on their medical importance. The study of the medicinal influence of both drugs is hampered by the restrictions in their productions as well as other regulations that make them illegal. Currently, LSD has no approved use in medicine but, researches have shown that LSD is useful in treating alcoholism addiction, reduce depression and stress (Santos et al, 193). The two drugs have similarity in their medicinal usage in that they are both proven to be useful in managing anxiety. While LSP is thought to treat depression, marijuana is associated with escalation of depression and in most cases blamed as the onset cause of depression. One of the main reasons why marijuana is not approved for use in medicine is due to the high addiction abilities meaning that a person is not able to stop using the drug even when the drug is causing harmful effects to their body and life. At least 9% to 30% of marijuana users develop addition with young users below 18 years having a seven times likelihood of becoming addicted as compared to adult users (Hasin et al, 1239). On the contrary, LSD is not addictive. Several studies on both animals and humans have proved that LSD does not result in dependence (Malenka et al, 375).

Despite showing a complete contrast in their addictive abilities, the two drugs have adverse health effects on the user. They are associated with physical as well as mental disorders; however, they have varying characteristics in their manifestations. Marijuana is associated with breathing problem due to the mode of intake which involves smoking. Lungs are most affected with a possibility of lung infections and congestion. Although LSD shows some connection to respiration problems, the effects are less pronounced. The two drugs are connected to eye problems including pupil dilation with a possibility of long-term effects on individuals' visual ability. Both are also highly linked to mental disorders such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and intrusive thoughts of hopelessness.

While marijuana is associated with problems during the development of pregnancy, there is no evidence to show that LSD is associated with birth defects. There is no documented evidence of teratogenesis or mutagenesis effects associated with taking LSD (Passie et al, 296). Contrary, marijuana is associated with various congenital disabilities. Research has shown that use of cannabis in pregnant women can result in low birth weight. Other birth effects associated with marijuana include brain and behavioral outcomes. The drug is known to enter in the brain of the developing fetus in the womb resulting in various defects. Children are born with a problem of memory, attention and problem-solving abilities. If a lactating mother is involved in taking marijuana, the active elements get in the milk and subsequently affect the child's brain (Richardson et al, 309).

The fact that marijuana can be taken in the form of smoking, passive exposure to non-users is a possibility with adverse effects similar to the ones realized by the direct user especially when the smoking is in an enclosed space (Herrmann et al, 199). Cases of individuals becoming high after staying close to someone smoking marijuana is possible and subsequent adverse effects follow the same route as the one observed in primary users. On the contrary, LSD cannot be exposed to the passive users since it is taken orally or held under the tongue. This mode means that adverse effects cannot be observed in other people regardless of how close a person stays to the primary user. Unlike marijuana where some smoke is released to the environment and subsequently inhaled by the people in the vicinity, LSD goes directly to the user's digestive system. Similarly, passive exposure cannot occur in marijuana if taken through the mouth as edible elements.

Conclusion

In synopsis, it is evident that marijuana and LSD are two drug of abuse that shows both similarities and differences. They occur in different forms but can both be taken in the form of edible elements. Marijuana can as well be taken in the way of smoking. They have adverse effects that show both similarities and differences ranging from physical to the psychological impacts. While marijuana is addictive, LSD is not known to be addictive to the users. Passive exposure can occur in cannabis but not in LSD mainly because the only mode of intake in LSD is through the mouth.

Work Cited

Hasin, Deborah S., et al. "Prevalence of Marijuana Use Disorders in the United States Between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013." JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 72, no. 12, 2015, p. 1235.

Herrmann, Evan S., et al. "Non-Smoker Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke II: Effect of Room Ventilation on the Physiological, Subjective, and Behavioral/Cognitive Effects." Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 151, 2015, pp. 194-202.

Malenka, Robert, C, Nestler, Eric J, and Steven E Hyman. Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience. McGraw-Hill Medical, 2009.

Passie, T, et al. "The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review." CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, vol. 14, no.4, 2008, pp.295-314.

Richardson, G. "Prenatal Alcohol and Marijuana Exposure Effects on Neuropsychological Outcomes at 10 Years." Neurotoxicology and Teratology, vol. 24, no. 3, 2008, pp. 309-320.

Riviello, Ralph. Manual of forensic emergency medicine: a guide for clinicians. Sudbury: Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2010.

Santos, Rafael G. Dos, et al. "Antidepressive, Anxiolytic, and Antiaddictive Effects of Ayahuasca, Psilocybin and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD): a Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Published in the Last 25 Years." Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, vol. 6, no. 3, 2016, pp. 193-213.