The association that can be generated by the use of both drugs is called the cannabis-tobacco node, a pair that is currently quite common. Tobacco seems to increase the likelihood of marijuana being consumed at some point, so there is a double dependency problem.
Traditionally, cannabis was not considered a risk factor for smoking, however, we now know that there is a double influence on the part of both substances, this compound is probably a risk factor for the use of these drugs for individual, contextual and specific reasons. factors of the substances, regardless of the drug that has started to be used.
- The cannabis-tobacco node projects a particular situation.
- In addition to the effect that separate consumption of each substance can have.
- There are also characteristic consequences of its interaction in the body.
On the one hand, nicotine stimulates the central nervous system, causing improvements in motor and sensory tests, facilitating memory and improving attention; it also stimulates the peripheral nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure; In addition, nicotine produces tolerance: the body gets used to this substance, requiring an increasing amount to achieve the same effects.
The mechanism by which the body, or rather the brain, develops a dependence on this substance is causing the increase of dopamine in the mesolimic pathways or in the reward system.
Cannabis is a depressant of the central nervous system, so it causes an altered state of consciousness, euphoria, changes in perception, and intensifies sensory experiences, altering attention and memory.
It generates seizures or increases in anxiety, panic or psychosis, the intensity of which depends on several factors, such as the dose consumed or the history of consumption.
At the peripheral level, cannabis causes increased appetite, decreased pain, blood pressure and heart rate, vasodilation, etc.
In the short term, the effects of joint marijuana and tobacco use are questionable. It is argued that tobacco can increase the strengthening effect of dopamine-related cannabis and, in turn, cannabis increases the addictive potential of nicotine.
On the other hand, one is also considered to mitigate the adverse effects of the other by changing the degree of tolerance or dependence that occurs. More research is needed on this; for this reason, in 2015 the EVICT project was created, a working group for the study of marijuana and tobacco polyconsum in Spain, funded by the National Drug Plan.
In the long term, the cannabis-tobacco knot is associated with respiratory and periodontal problems; In addition, although the results are inconclusive, it has been linked to the development of psychotic disorders and neurocognitive deficits.
Many studies have been conducted to try to clarify the factors related to marijuana and tobacco use, but there is no consensus on this. So far, the results suggest that the factors are those applicable to any type of substance.
Among the aspects to be highlighted are gender, age and culture, both in terms of risk and protection; these and other variables, such as biological and genetic, should also be considered in the development of prevention programmes.
At the social level, family structure and unity, discipline, emotional relationships and communication styles, family attitudes and consumption behaviors can also influence.
It is important that institutions promote regulatory measures for the trafficking and consumption of substances, as well as preventive measures at the school stage.
The most effective treatment to eliminate the cannabis-tobacco nodule is to treat both substances together or sequentially (leaving one substance and then another), which is common in the treatment of addiction, combines individualized psychological and pharmacological treatment, taking into account staff and contextual factors.
Psychological intervention has been shown to be effective. Motivational interviews, cognitive behavioral therapy, and booster incentive therapy are generally included. On the other hand, drug treatment is well established for the use of nicotine, but while the results are promising, its effect is not so clear in the fight against cannabis dependence.