Researchers from the US conducted this study on rats to find out the effects of smoking cannabis.
As a result of the study, they found that because of the higher level of estrogen female rats were found 30% more sensitive to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, than the male rats.
As per experts, increased amount THC in cannabis means that the person smoking it will most probably suffer the negative effects of the dosage. The smoker may experience anxiety, confusion, panic attacks, hallucinations and even extreme paranoia.
The study also revealed that when a cannabis addict does not get his dosage, its withdrawal symptoms include irritability, sleep disruption and decreased food intake, which can become more severe in extreme cases. The study also found that women who tried to quit smoking the drug had higher possibilities of relapse.
Researchers said that although the drug had much negative impacts on women, it also showed some side-effects on men. The only effect of the drug found on men was that they suffered a "munchie effect", means they had higher craving for food. They said munchie effect is much higher in men than women.
Sources reported that another study was conducted by the researches, which tracked the pain-relieving effects of the drug on male and female rats.
The male and female rats were given a concentrated amount of drug for 10 days and after that researchers found that drug was more effective in females than in males. Female rats were found more tolerant to pain as compared to male rats, stated the researchers.
The researchers said state of tolerance occurred when a rat gets adapted to the drug and to attain the same relief for the next time, a larger quantity of dose is required.
Lead author Professor Rebecca Craft, of Washington State University, said, "What we're finding with THC is that you get a very clear spike in drug sensitivity right when the females are ovulating - right when their estrogen levels have peaked and are coming down".
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