Marijuana – also referred to as weed or cannabis – is a greenish-gray mixture of dried flowers from the Cannabis sativa plant. Some people smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints, in pipes, using water pipes (bongs), or in blunts (weed rolled in cigar wraps). Marijuana can also be brewed and is frequently mixed into foods (referred to as edibles) such as brownies, cookies, or candies. But aside from these methods of use, can you snort weed, too? Banyan Treatment Center’s Sebring drug rehab explores.
How Weed Works
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant, and this part of the plant contains substantial amounts of THC. THC’s chemical structure is similar to the brain’s chemical anandamide. This similarity in structure allows the body to recognize THC and alter communication in the brain. Endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide function as neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that send signals between nerve cells. They affect areas of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, plus sensory and time perception.
Due to this similarity, THC is able to attach to and activate molecules called cannabinoid receptors on neurons in these areas of the brain, disrupting several mental and physical functions. The communication network in the central nervous system that uses cannabinoid receptors is known as the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a critical role in the nervous system’s normal functioning, so interfering with it has profound effects.
Can You Snort Marijuana (Weed)?
While it is technically possible, it is not quite as simple as snorting lines of cocaine or other commonly inhaled drugs. As we previously mentioned, there are various ways people use weed, sometimes because of the easy availability and other times to experience a desired effect. There are also different forms of marijuana, each of which contains varying amounts of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive ingredient of weed, and cannabidiol (CBD).
But can you snort weed? Weed can be inhaled as sprays. These are liquids that are infused with either THC or CBD, and these either get sprayed under the tongue for fast absorption or can be inhaled through the nose. However, some people may attempt to crush dried marijuana leaves and attempt to snort this crude THC dust. Doing this can have harmful side effects in addition to the adverse effects of the drug itself.
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What Happens If You Snort Weed?
Snorting marijuana is an unconventional form of use, as it can lead to problems with the nose and nasal passages in addition to the drug’s physical and psychological effects. When you snort marijuana, the powder bypasses the digestive system and enters directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in your nose. This can result in a much stronger and faster high than other methods of consumption, but it also increases the risk of negative side effects such as irritation, inflammation, and damage to the nasal passages and sinuses.
Common side effects of snorting weed include:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Confusion
- Impaired judgment
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Loss of sense of personal identity
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Distrust
- Panic
Snorting weed can also contribute to various nose-related problems, such as nose bleeds, dry nose, perforation, burning sensation, and losing one’s sense of smell. THC alters functioning in the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex, as well. These are areas that allow a person to form new memories and shift their attention and focus. As a result, using marijuana, whether it’s snorted or not, can impair thinking and interfere with a person’s ability to learn and perform complicated tasks.
THC also disrupts functioning in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which regulate balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time. This is why people who use marijuana shouldn’t drive or may experience problems playing sports or engaging in any other physical activity.
Additionally, THC also activates the brain’s reward system through cannabinoid receptors, including regions that govern the response to healthy behaviors like sex and eating. Like most other drugs of abuse, THC stimulates neurons in the reward system to release the chemical dopamine at higher levels than typically activated by natural rewarding stimuli. As a result, this surge of dopamine conditions the brain to repeat the rewarding behavior (marijuana use), accounting for marijuana’s addictive properties.
Other Ways to Ingest Marijuana
Depending on how it’s ingested, marijuana’s side effects can vary in strength and longevity. As we previously mentioned, there are several ways people use weed.
These methods can include:
- Smoking: This involves rolling the dried flowers into a joint, using a pipe or bong, or using pre-rolled cigarettes. This is the most traditional method of consumption, but it can be harmful to the lungs and respiratory system.
- Vaping: Vaping involves using an electronic device to heat up marijuana oil or dried flowers to create vapor, which is then inhaled. While vaping may be less harmful to the lungs than smoking, it can still have many negative health effects.
- Edibles: Edibles are foods or drinks that are infused with marijuana, such as brownies, cookies, and gummies. Edibles can take longer to take effect, but they can also cause more potent effects than smoking or vaping. It is important to use caution when consuming edibles, as it can be easy to consume too much at once.
- Tinctures: Tinctures are liquid extracts of marijuana that are taken orally, either directly or by mixing with food or drink. Tinctures can be a discreet and precise way to consume marijuana, but they can also be potent and have strong effects.
- Topicals: This includes lotions, balms, and oils that are infused with marijuana and applied directly to the skin. Marijuana topicals do not have psychoactive effects, but they can have therapeutic effects on localized pain and inflammation.
Most of these methods allow the drug to be absorbed into the body differently, which is why the duration and onset of side effects vary. What is important to remember is that relying on a psychoactive substance to function can be a slippery slope, especially if attempted without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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Help for Drug Abuse and Addiction
Although marijuana isn’t as addictive as heroin or cocaine, it does have the potential for abuse and physical dependence. In other words, a long-term user can become dependent on weed to feel good and function normally. They will then experience a form of withdrawal when they aren’t high or when they’re running low on supplies. Marijuana is also considered a gateway drug, as it often opens the doorway to other forms of substance abuse, including heavy drinking.
If you or someone you care about is battling drug or alcohol addiction, don’t wait to hit rock bottom to get help. Our drug rehab in Sebring, FL, offers various levels of addiction treatment, including detox and residential care, to help clients with severe substance use disorders regain their health and sobriety. We also offer substance-specific treatment programs to offer specialized care to our clients.
To learn more about our Sebring drug treatment and how we can help you get clean, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763 and begin one of the most important journeys of your life.
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