People who smoke marijuana may have concerns about the effects on their snakes, for good reason. While the evidence is scant, vertebrae are believed to have cannabinoid receptors.
Can snakes get high? The Short answer is yes; snakes do have a cannabinoid receptors, and they very well could get high. However, studies show the impact of THC on the animal brain depends on the consumption method.
It is no longer a myth that cannabinoids have a positive impact on the human brain. However, the psychological effects of cannabinoids may vary in humans and animals. Only minimal studies have been directed at the impact of THC on the vertebrae brain.
THC Consumption
Human and animal cannabinoid systems are complex. Much more complex than most people could imagine. Marijuana advocates rallied together to push for legalization across the United States, with a mixture of responses.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. There are around 113 types of cannabinoids found in the plant. The two most notable cannabinoids are THC and CBD, with the latter offering no psychological effect.
Cannabinoids can be injected, ingested, and inhaled. A study published on the NIH National Library of Medicine website shows the effects of cannabinoids vary between animals and humans. The magnitude of the impact may be more for humans than animals.
In one study, rats were administered between 10 and 20 milligrams of THC per day via injection. Researchers discovered alterations in the rats’ locomotor behavior.
The likelihood of a snake getting high after ingesting THC orally is minimal. In one study, 50 percent of participating canines administered 130 milligrams of THC died.
Snakes Get High And Drunk?
It is never a good idea to expose your snake to mind-altering substances. Since the animal probably has an endocannabinoid system, the marijuana smoke could get the snake high. The THC in the marijuana will make the snake hyperactive.
In larger quantities, the smoke could cause the snake to become lethargic. In addition to this, snakes can get drunk when exposed to alcoholic beverages. If a snake is given alcohol, it will exhibit numerous symptoms. In particular, it will become inactive.
If you’re going to smoke or drink, you should make sure that you’re not exposing the snake to these substances. After drinking a beer or smoking, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Use soap and water to remove the substances from your hands.
Once you’ve done that, you can pick up the snake without problems. If you don’t wash your hands, the chemicals may be absorbed by the snake leading to health problems.
Protecting Your Snake From Smoke
Snakes are vulnerable to weed and cigarette smoke. Therefore, you need to take steps to prevent problems. Otherwise, you may harm your snake by smoking around it. If you’re going to smoke weed, it is best to do so outside. Make sure that your snake is not exposed to these chemicals whatsoever.
You’ll also need to protect the reptile from cigarette smoke because it is equally harmful. In fact, cigarette smoke could be even worse. You must take steps to ensure that your snake is not being exposed to nicotine, THC, or other harmful chemicals.
Thankfully, there are several things you can do to protect your snake. Try using the information below to avoid problems.
Don’t Smoke Near The Snake
First, you should make sure that you’re not smoking anywhere near the snake. If you do, the reptile is going to be exposed to harmful chemicals. Secondhand smoke can cause many respiratory problems, including nose cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory infection.
Many people have a habit of smoking cigarettes. If you haven’t been able to stop, you should still find ways to protect your snake. Before lighting a cigarette or joint, you should go outside. By smoking outside, you don’t have to worry about the snake being exposed to secondhand smoke from the cigarette.
Just remember that the chemicals may cling to your hands too. Therefore, you’ll also need to take steps to remove the residue from your hands before handling the snake.
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Always Wash Your Hands Thoroughly
After you’ve smoked a cigarette, you’re going to have many chemicals on your hands. The residue in the smoke will cling to your hands. Plus, you’re going to get the chemicals on your fingerprints from holding the cigarette. If you handle your snake afterward, you may expose your snake to these chemicals.
Nicotine and other chemicals can create various issues for the reptile. You can avoid passing these chemicals to the snake by washing your hands thoroughly. Once you’ve finished smoking a cigarette outside, be sure to go inside and immediately wash your hands.
After you’ve washed your hands using soap and water, you won’t have to worry so much about passing the toxins to your reptile. Remember that reptiles can possibly absorb things through their scales. Suffice to say, you don’t want to handle your snake after smoking cigarettes or joints.
What Could Happen To Snakes?
Smoking or using candles near your snake could lead to major problems. Therefore, you should avoid exposing your snake to these harsh chemicals. Snakes have lungs that are very sensitive. Therefore, it doesn’t take a lot of smoke to cause respiratory issues.
Once a snake has been exposed to secondhand smoke, there is a risk that the snake will have difficulty breathing. As the exposure continues, these respiratory problems will quickly worsen. In some cases, the smoke exposure could be fatal for the snake.
Whether you’re vaping, smoking weed, or smoking cigarettes, you should do so carefully. It is best to go outside so you don’t have to worry about exposing your snake to these harmful chemicals. If you smoke near the snake, it is only a matter of time before you regret your decision.
Overall
Smoking around your snake means it could get high due to the secondhand smoke. Can snakes get high? Snakes and other reptiles probably have an ECS or endocannabinoid system so they will experience a high when exposed to marijuana smoke.
When a snake is exposed to THC, the reptile may experience hyperactivity. If the snake is exposed to larger quantities, it will become calm and lethargic. Suffice to say, it is pertinent to avoid exposing your snake to weed smoke. It is best to smoke marijuana elsewhere to prevent these problems.
Reference Article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK230721/
