Mental Health Awareness Ways | Health & Fitness
1. Marijuana
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the flowering parts of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa L., native to Central Asia. In its natural form, marijuana contains over 400 active chemicals including cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the principal psychoactive constituent in some C. sativa that have been bred specifically for high levels of the chemical. Other compounds include cannabidiol, cannabinol, cannabichromene, and tetrahydrocannabivarin, as well as various terpenes.
2. Mental Health
Mental health disorders affect millions of people around the world. One of the most commonly known mental illnesses is depression. Depression affects many people at any age and comes in different forms. Common symptoms include sadness, loss of interest in activities, low energy, sleep problems, and feelings of hopelessness. There are many types of depression, though they share similar characteristics. A person may go through these symptoms daily or only once in a while. If someone is depressed, he/she may feel sad about things out of their control, such as relationship issues or financial struggles. Depression may be caused by environmental factors, genetics, or a combination of both. Depression is diagnosed using questionnaires and interviews, and medical exams may also be done. Treatment includes counseling combined with medication if necessary.
3. Addiction
Addiction is defined as having a physical dependence on a substance. Addiction causes changes in the brain’s chemistry and creates solid cravings for certain substances. People who suffer from addictions often feel helpless because they believe that they cannot stop taking drugs even if they want to. Drug addicts show behaviors associated with their drug use, such as feeling irritable or anxious without the drug, spending significant amounts of time obtaining the drug, craving it, using it, or thinking about it, and showing tolerance toward the drug. Some of the most common addictions include alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, prescription painkillers, and others. Addiction treatment involves a variety of methods depending on what type of drug is being abused. Treatment may include counseling sessions, medications, behavioral therapy, support groups, 12-step programs, and hospitalization. Recovery programs also help people learn how to deal with triggers and cravings.
4. Marijuana
Marijuana was first cultivated by the indigenous peoples of Mexico several thousand years ago. It was used medicinally to treat ailments ranging from rheumatism to toothaches. By the 1500s, marijuana had become popular among Europeans as a recreational drug. It gained widespread popularity during the 19th century because of its perceived medicinal effectiveness as well as its association with spiritual enlightenment. Marijuana was banned in 1848 after the International Opium Convention determined that it was not safe enough to be legal. However, in 1937 marijuana became federally legal, and currently, 22 states along with Washington D.C. allow for the recreational usage of the herb. Marijuana is prepared in many ways, with the most common method involving heating dried cannabis flowers in water until they turn brownish green. After cooling, the buds are removed from the water and ground up. Alternatively, they can be smoked whole. When smoking marijuana, users inhale deeply and hold the smoke inside their lungs for three to five seconds before exhaling. Both inhalation and exhalation should be smooth and slow. Smoking marijuana increases blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. Its effects generally last between 40 minutes and 2 hours.
5. Mental Illness
A mental illness manifests in a wide range of conditions. Individuals affected by mental illness can experience emotional distress due to several reasons. These include social stigma, family relationships, employment difficulties, access to appropriate healthcare services, and personal suffering. Different mental illnesses manifest in different ways. Symptoms can vary widely from individual to individual. Some of the most commonly known conditions include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and others.
6. Substance Abuse
Substance abuse refers to the use of substances such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, psychedelic mushrooms, heroin, and more. Depending on which substance is involved, substance abuse can lead to addiction. Addiction involves repeated use of a particular substance despite adverse consequences. As use continues, the user develops withdrawal symptoms when they do not have access to the substance. Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, shaking, chills, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, mood swings, and others. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the substance being abused. Subsequently, the user experiences cravings for the substance. To cope with cravings, they may choose to continue abusing the substance, take illicit means to acquire the substance, or seek professional help.
7. Substance Abuse Prevention
Substance abuse prevention efforts focus on making substances less available to minors through regulations. Such regulations involve restricting where and when substances can be sold, regulating advertising and sales promotions, and raising taxes on products. Another component of substance abuse prevention focuses on educating the public regarding the harmful effects of substance use. Education includes warning children of the dangers of substance use, encouraging parents to monitor their children while they are away at school, and providing guidance regarding responsible behavior. Lastly, education also includes informing adults of the dangers posed by substance abuse, discouraging them from purchasing and consuming substances, and encouraging them to seek treatment if they recognize themselves as problem drinkers or smokers.