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FEATURE As a magazine, we get sent a lot of promotional material, usually in the form of books. One particular book which found its way to my desk is by author, David Schmader, and titled “Weed: The User’s Guide”.
The Guide starts out with the author trying weed and developing munchies, but also continues to talk about the much lesser known facts about weed, alongside a short history which takes us back approximately twelve thousand years. This first record of the cannabis plant suggests it started growing in the Eurasian steppe, which spanned across (current day) Romania, through Russia, and all the way to Northeast China. At this time, the plant’s fibre-rich stalks were used in pottery and the manufacture of various types of rope due to their strength. Fast forward to the 1500s during King Henry VIII’s reign, the demand for cannabis was so strong that the King ordered farmers to section off part of their land exclusively for cannabis growth. Elsewhere worldwide, weed was used in religious ceremonies, as anesthetic during medical procedures, and as a cure for depression and alcoholism, alongside other mental and physical illness. Much like a wet paper towel which seems to cure everything, people across the world have been using weed as their wet paper towel and it seemed the message was, “if something is wrong, put some weed on it”. At this point I feel I must mention my surprise at what I was finding out. As someone who feels sick walking
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Whilst I initially pushed aside the idea of reviewing a book about weed for a campus magazine, I later concluded it would be a missed opportunity not to (much to the horror of our Vice President of Communications and Campaigns, Ana)! After all, the book was almost 200 pages long, so it must have more substance than telling you how to roll a perfectly symmetrical joint.
down the street on a SAAS day when it seems half of Dundee are having weed parties, I was truly baffled that people have always had this addictive admiration of something which to me will always be the plantequivalent of a skunk. However, I was also intrigued by the phenomenon, so I kept reading.
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Naturally there was a lot of stuff on ingesting weed, and the 30+ ways to do so, however, there are hints and tips for ways to do so safely, which I found very admirable. While people will have very strong opinions for and against weed, it’s no secret that regardless of the law, people will find ways to do what they want, and usually think they’ve gotten away with it. But what happens if you get “high” and hate it? And what about dosage? The author recommends no more than fifteen milligrams on average, and leaving two hours between “doses”. If you over-do it, get some freshly squeezed lemon juice and drink it - it’s said to work wonders! As cannabis is a plant, it naturally produces what are are called “terpenes,” which are compounds found within the plant’s resin. As irony would have it, terpenes have an odor to deter herbivores and other animals from attacking the plant, but obviously this didn’t work out in cannabis’ case! It’s not the only plant to suffer this fate, however, as most other flowering plants have their terpenes used for making essential oils for aromatherapy. But why does weed make people high? There are two main strains of weed: sativa and indica. The terpenes contained within these vary but the main ones, myrcene and terpineol, contribute to the psychoactive and tranquilizing effects of weed. While more myrcene can enhance your senses, it’s funny to think it also lives in hops which are used to make beer! But the chemical which, when absorbed by the bloodstream, makes you “high” is Tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC” for those of us who don’t like tongue-twisters). It binds to the receptors in the brain to flood your body with different sensations, usually intensifying those you feel already. This can make your experience euphoric or completely terrifying. It can also make you very hungry: THC intensifies your senses, including your sense of smell - making you want to eat more. But it also tricks your body into thinking there is more ghrelin present in your body than there is. Ghrelin is a hormone released by the stomach lining which stimulates your appetite, causing you to feel hungry. (Fun fact: reducing stress can lower levels of ghrelin, which is why some people stress-eat!)
But what psychoactive effects does weed have? Unlike most drugs which fall into the category of either stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens, cannabis falls into all three: making it very subjective depending on your useage and your state of mind at the time of consumption. This can mean that while one person feels like a superhero, another can feel the lowest they ever have and become overwhelmed with a sense of paranoia, fear, and depression. This is again due to THC’s effects on the brain - stimulating the production of various warning signals about an ominous sense of danger, with no pin-point to a source. Feeling like everything is out to get you can therefore have detrimental effects to your sense of safety and wellbeing, causing a manic spell which can outlast your drug-fueled trip. Weed also has negative effects on your heart-rate as it causes your blood vessels to dilate, making for a hazardous situation for anyone with preexisting heart conditions. But the author does not want you to be scared: he wants you to be informed. If you’re completely aware of what’s going on you can change your experience into a good one, and ultimately protect yourself. While the book itself has a positive view on cannabis in all its uses, it’s also important to remember it was written by an American gentleman, in one of the States where weed is legal. A lot of his experiences are based on the fact that the many people have come forward with opinions and knowledge to help him write this book. Cannabis is illegal in the UK, making it even more important to know what to do if you find yourself in a situation where you or someone you know is having a bad experience after ingesting it. Remember to try to remain calm, get plenty of fresh air, drink water, and perhaps eat something or go for a shower once you feel you’re starting to get better! So thank you, David Schmader, for writing this book and helping educate us readers. A thank you also to James Doyle at Souvenir Press Ltd. for sending me this book. And happy holidays to everyone: wherever you go this festive period, remember to stay safe and enjoy yourself! Weed: The User’s Guide is available for purchase from the Souvenir Press website for the RRP of £15. http://souvenirpress.co.uk.
Mila Georgieva Photography by Alexandre Chambon