Detox Bliss

Contrary to popular belief, the use of marijuana has not gone out with the ‘70s. There is still a number of people who use this drug, which has been used since prehistory. It is estimated that about 4% of the world’s legal-aged population uses marijuana for either medicinal, recreational, or religious use. In 2002, marijuana was the principal drug of abuse in roughly 15% of all admissions to treatment facilities in the U.S.

Although it is nearly impossible to overdose from marijuana, the effects it has on the body, both short-term and long-term, cannot be discounted – making marijuana detox necessary. Short-term, it has physiological and psychoactive effects from ingestion or inhalation. Its active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produce different effects in different people.

When smoked, THC passes from the lungs to the bloodstream almost immediately. Once it reaches the bloodstream, it can then affect the different organs, including the brain. Marijuana can produce changes in learning and memory, perception, coordination, problem solving skills, and heart rate.

Long-term, its effects can be similar to those of other prohibited drugs. The marijuana dependent’s risk of having a heart attack becomes four times greater within the first hour of smoking it. Respiratory illnesses are also common among regular users. They also experience coughing, a burning sensation at the throat, and the discharge of phlegm.

Studies also produce evidence showing how smoking marijuana regularly is associated with cancers of the throat and lungs. Marijuana detox, therefore, should be seriously considered to prevent illnesses and long-term effects that would be difficult to treat.

The withdrawal symptoms experienced during marijuana detox are insomnia, loss of appetite, restlessness, irritability, and aggressive behavior. They’re not as severe as the symptoms of cocaine or meth withdrawal, but nonetheless require full supervision by a medical professional.

Medications are also given to marijuana detox patients to alleviate the difficulties they experience especially during the first couple of days. To ultimately get rid of the drug’s residues which have accumulated in the body for so long, the patient has to go through a lot of sweating. He also has to urinate a lot. Below are some of the elements you’ll find in a marijuana detox program:

1. A regular diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Exercise, to hasten the burning of fats and to enhance blood circulation. This is important in marijuana detox as the toxins from this drug are stored in the fat cells.
3. Occasional scheduled sauna treatments to induce sweating.
4. A carefully prepared and closely monitored diet of minerals, vitamins, and oils. It is important to supplement with oils to stimulate fat exchange and burning. The vitamins and minerals, on the other hand, serve to correct nutritional deficiencies and to replace those lost during sweating.
5. Inclusion of lots of water in the diet to prevent dehydration and to offset loss of liquids in sweating.
6. A fixed schedule to help the patient get back to normal sleeping habits.

Needless to say, marijuana detox also involves counseling. Without this step, the person will easily revert to marijuana addiction or maybe even try other recreational drugs or alcohol.