In 2013, Brazilian scientists expanded on this research, showing that CBD, another chemical in cannabis, also stimulates the growth of new brain cells. Upon smoking or ingesting cannabis, THC attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain (particularly the CB1 receptor), which affects neurotransmitter transmission throughout the brain. For a deep dive on how cannabis affects your brain, check out our article on the endocannabinoid system. Our mission is to help as many people as possible overcome their addiction or mental health struggles. We do this by offering evidence-based and individualized treatment programs to each person who enrolls in our facility. The human brain already has cannabinoid receptors because the body produces its own type of cannabinoids, often referred to as endocannabinoids.
If you notice any adverse effects, consult with a healthcare professional. Ménard and her colleagues induced some mice brains to over-express CB1 receptors on certain astrocytes. “Having the seven tasks allowed me to get about as close as you could for a brain-imaging person to look at how different parts of brain function are affected by cannabis,” Gowin said. Using marijuana isn’t always considered as serious as other substance use disorders. However, some people do develop a dependence on marijuana and use it so frequently that it impacts their lives. Marijuana use is gradually becoming accepted just like alcohol use, so many people don’t think of marijuana as an addiction problem.
Additionally, structural neuroimaging tests show functional and structural changes in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and emotion. More research is needed to understand how adolescent marijuana consumption and frequent marijuana use affect developing brains.
The study analyzed data from the Human Connectome Project that collected magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data across seven tasks that tested a range of brain functions. Gowin’s study became the largest of its kind, examining the effects of cannabis use on over 1,000 young adults aged 22 to 36 using brain imaging technology. Many people don’t take marijuana use as seriously as drug addiction or other substance abuse. However, long-term marijuana use can have harmful effects and it can impact your life. Smoking weed has also been linked to social anxiety, depression, and a higher rate of suicide attempts. In individuals who use weed frequently from adolescence, there is a higher prevalence of schizophrenia.
What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential. He earned a Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania while pursuing his CAC-AD. With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the 12-step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery.
#2 Weed Can Stunt Young People’s Brain Development
When you put less effort into your family, friends, or romantic relationships because of marijuana use, it is a sign of a use disorder. Are you pulling away from people who don’t approve of your marijuana use? As the plant made its way to Europe and later to the Americas, it became the subject of curiosity, scrutiny, and controversy.
The two most common mental health disorders, besides substance use disorders, are anxiety and mood disorders. Individuals struggling with this type of dual diagnosis need specialized care to address the two conditions at the same time. Similar to marijuana, alcohol does not lead to brain cell death in adults.
Synthetic
- Propelled in part by sensationalist media and political agendas, cannabis became vilified, leading to its criminalization in many parts of the world.
- However, the relationship between cannabis and neurogenesis is still not fully understood, and more research is needed to determine the precise mechanisms by which cannabinoids may influence this process.
- If you think you might be having side effects that we haven’t mentioned, it’s a good idea to try tracking your side effects.
- Within the scientific community there’s an acknowledged need for further studies to fully grasp the impact of marijuana on the brain.
The difference in outcomes between adults and teenagers also makes sense. Endocannabinoid receptors are widely distributed throughout the brain, and your brain doesn’t finish developing until around 25 or so. Therefore, it makes some sense that introducing weed before your brain has finished developing might have more drastic effects and may change how your brain develops in ways that could be harmful. Psychiatric comorbidity (occurring at the same time) is also frequently seen.
Researchers discovered that there are CB1 receptors on the mitochondria of nerve cells, including on the mitochondria of nerve cells in the hippocampus. Research by The University of Saskatchewan’s Dr. Xia Zhang showed in 2005 that cannabinoids promote neurogenesis. After carefully examining the data, Dr. Zhang concluded, “most’ drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis. Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis.” Cannabis intoxication may make it difficult to concentrate and impair short term memory. Additionally, basic motor skills can be impaired, which is why driving while high is dangerous. According to the statistics, marijuana use is more common than other illicit drug use in the United States.
Medical Director
There is no concrete evidence to indicate that CBD is as harmful as THC for the brain. Studies suggest that chronic weed consumption could lead to cognitive impairments, particularly in young users. Cannabis has been increasingly recognized for its potential in alleviating anxiety.
How does weed compare to alcohol and nicotine?
- There are also concentrated forms of marijuana, much like the hashish of old, but even more refined and potent.
- Marijuana is unique among many drugs in that it has its own receptors in our brain and does not have to interfere with other systems in the body.
- As the amount of THC contained in edibles can vary greatly, how heavily it impacts cannabinoid receptors in the brain can also vary dramatically.
Alexandra works with Admissions and Clinical Departments for scheduling client admissions, transfers, discharges and outside appointments while maintaining positive relationships with all clients. Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey. What are the side effects that come to mind when you think of marijuana use?
In the past, many believed that marijuana led to the loss of brain cells, a belief driven by early research, public campaigns and societal attitudes towards the drug. In some research, those who used weed were assigned a list of vocabulary words to memorize, as were a group of people who had not used weed. The results indicated that the non-users could recall more words on average than weed users. This particular study showed a strong correlation between the use of weed and brain function, including how the brain can receive, store, and retrieve information. From birth, our bodies are designed to use and produce endogenous forms of the cannabinoid compounds found in weed.
This study is the first one to validate that using or smoking marijuana can cause a decrease in intelligenceThe study found that the likelihood of serious or long-term side effects is determined by the frequency of usage. A study conducted in New Zealand involved more than 1,000 teenagers who were given an IQ test at the age of 13 and again at the age of 38. The findings revealed that individuals who used marijuana four or more times a week had an average IQ decrease of 8 IQ points over this span of time. There is little research to suggest that how many brain cells does weed kill consuming THC edibles is more or less likely to cause any long-term effects on brain function. Some studies link marijuana to cognitive decline, particularly in adolescents. Other studies show positive correlations between marijuana use in older adults and cognitive functioning.