Although the side effects of dagga are mostly associated with recreational use, marijuana or dagga has long been utilized for essential medical purposes. People are always looking for alternative remedies that are natural and affordable, and dagga fits this description.
Dagga or cannabis is taken in many forms: As a solid, a liquid (in the form of dagga oil), or inhaled as smoke. Although it is widely used as a recreational drug, both legally and not, its health-enhancing capabilities mean it is also used widely for medicinal purposes. Although many use dagga as a recreational drug, and surpass the limit where benefits cross over into harmful side effects, dagga taken in moderation has several health benefits. Harmless side effects do also occur, however:
7 Harmless Side Effects of Dagga:
1. Temporary memory impairment
Harmless side effects of dagga can include temporary memory loss, after excessive consumption. However, the effect doesn’t long, typically. The cannabinoid receptors – the membranes in the body that work with dagga’s active compounds – can interfere with the hippocampus’ ability to form memories.
2. Relaxation
The main reason why may use dagga or marijuana for recreational purposes is to relax the brain and the body. THC (short for ‘Tetrahydrocannabinol’ – dagga’s active chemical compound) stimulates the brain to release chemicals that promote relaxation. This side effect of cannabis is harmless: It’s effective for reducing anxiety and stress (though it can slow or affect perception).
3. Disorientation or loss of focus
Dagga consumption’s basic side effects include disorientation and loss of focus. The “high” makes it difficult for the user to focus and concentrate on certain activities that require close attention.
4. Impaired fine motor control
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main ingredient in weed that produces the relaxing effect. One of the most obvious side effects of THC is impaired fine motor control. Many users report feeling disconnected from their own muscle movement while under the effects.
5. Increased appetite
Increased appetite (commonly called ‘The Munchies’) is one of the most common and widely-experienced side effects of dagga use.
6. Increased heart rate
Smoking weed or using dagga in another form elevates your heart rate. Research shows that the presence of marijuana’s active ingredients in the body can increase your heart rate by up to 50%. Consuming large amount of dagga thus can lead to an increased chance of having a heart attack, yet this side effect remains a low threat if you use medical dagga in moderation.
7. Disturbed sleeping patterns
Participants observed in a survey indicated that consuming cannabis caused an alteration in their sleeping patterns. Some admitted that when they took dagga they slept better than usual and some admitted that after dagga use they couldn’t sleep. Thus the study produced mixed results.
Although cannabis or dagga is now widely accepted as a natural alternative treatment, its consumption does produce several harmless side effects. Any substance with mind-altering properties can have adverse effects if abused, but if used responsibly and in consultation with experts, the side effects of dagga are easy to manage and control.