Marijuana Brain Damage Reversible in Adults

The endocannabinoid system, rich in endocannabinoids (or eCBs for short), plays a pivotal role in various brain functions, from mood regulation to memory. Long-term and frequent marijuana how to wean off prozac 10 mg use probably affects cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning, but more research needs to be done to understand how. They’re gone within a month or two after stopping, unless, however, regular cannabis use started as a teen. Please note that the studies covered in this article mainly consider the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the brain.

Cannabis use in pregnancy may raise children’s risk of ADHD and autism

At this time, scientists are not fully aware of the long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain. They have, however, found a correlation between the use of marijuana during brain development and decreased IQ later in life. Therefore, exposure to THC as a child may cause changes in cognition and memory that can last for decades. Whether or not those effects are reversible, scientists are not certain.

What long-term cognitive effects are possible?

It’s primarily made up of neurons, which are nerve cells that transmit information, and glial cells (or glia), which support and protect neurons. There’s still a lot that we don’t know about how marijuana use affects the brain over short- or long-term periods of time. Alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana affect different neurological systems, and as a result have different long-term effects in the brain. It may also affect important executive functions, such as decision-making and problem-solving. A 2017 report cited moderate evidence that using marijuana as an adolescent is a risk factor in the development of problem cannabis what does laced weed look like use later on.

Cannabis and Public Health

Synthetic weed binds more strongly to CB1 receptors than THC, making it at least 100 times more potent in the brain. Because CB1 receptors have multiple locations in the brain, side effects can be intense and harmful. Yet other studies — including this 2015 study — report no significant differences between the brain shape and volume of daily marijuana users and non-users. Next, the results suggest that marijuana use during adolescence may have an irreversible effect on adolescent brain development. It should be quickly noted that while a mean decline of 5.5 IQ points means half of the long-term cannabis users experienced more than a 5.5-point loss, they still were not diagnosable as being cognitively impaired.

Genetic factors may also contribute to cognitive decline, as suggested by a longitudinal twin study from 2016. Studies evaluating the cognitive effects of long-term marijuana use are ongoing. There are still a lot of unknowns surrounding how marijuana affects adolescent and adult brains. The researchers found that the rats they exposed to cannabinoids had a significantly better working memory in adulthood than the control rats. As legalization has developed across the country, there has been an increase in older adults using cannabis for various reasons. Many have questions regarding how cannabis may affect different ailments, including those related to dementia.

In one 2017 animal study, researchers compared differences in working memory between adult rats exposed to a synthetic cannabinoid and those exposed to glucose during adolescence. Some studies suggest that THC has potentially permanent neurotoxic effects that impair people’s verbal learning, memory, and focus. Keep reading to learn more about what current studies have to say about marijuana’s short- and long-term effects on the brain.

Over the next decade, researchers will use neuroimaging technology to track brain development from late childhood to early adulthood. Available research offers some insight into the short-term effects of drug use. However, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions regarding the long-term effects of drug use. This because many studies track small samples of people over short periods. Whether cannabis, or marijuana, kills brain cells remains unknown, and current research studies have yielded conflicting results.

If users decide to drive while high, they can endanger their lives and the lives of others. For one, their cognitive effects are more pronounced among young people. These effects appear to be more pronounced among people who start using marijuana at a young age and use it frequently over long periods of time. For instance, a 2017 study reported that a low dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) restored age-related cognitive deficits in mice. However, cumulative exposure didn’t appear to affect processing speed or executive function.

In our Science of cannabis series, we interrogate the biggest and boldest claims about the drug. We topple common myths about cannabis (sorry, lighting up before bed probably won’t help you sleep better) and uncover areas of promise, like quelling some forms of pain and nausea. People who drink, smoke cigarettes, or use marijuana from a young age are also more likely to do so later on in life. In addition, long-term marijuana use may affect memory, concentration, and IQ. Studies examining marijuana’s effects on adolescent users report a variety of negative outcomes. Marijuana use appears to be more harmful for people under the age of 25, whose brains are still developing.

1. A 2013 reply to the New Zealand study suggests that personality factors may play a role in both marijuana use and cognitive decline.
2. In one 2017 animal study, researchers compared differences in working memory between adult rats exposed to a synthetic cannabinoid and those exposed to glucose during adolescence.
3. As recreational marijuana use becomes legalized throughout the US, many people now wonder how marijuana affects the brain and whether or not it kills brain cells.
4. The connection between weed and Alzheimer’s disease is complicated, especially since they both can affect part of the brain responsible for memory.
5. These receptors connect to nerves in the brain which govern memory, appetite, pain regulation, and mood.

If you notice any adverse effects, consult with a healthcare professional. If this is an area of concern, it is best to discuss options with a healthcare provider until ongoing research gives us a clearer picture of these and other long-term effects. The ECS works with the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Although you cannot overdose on cannabis, using too much cannabis can be unpleasant at any age. Older adults using cannabis should be aware that cannabis may affect them differently.22 Tell your physician if you experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, and be alert to your fall risk. While limited studies suggest that cannabis might increase the risk of psychosis, most agree that there are often pre-existing genetic factors and other variables. If you have a personal or family history that includes any mental disorders, it is best to discuss this with your doctor. Especially for newbies, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it is best.20 Don’t use more until you know how the dose affects you.

Research into the long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain is ongoing. A 2016 review also states that heavy marijuana users tend to perform worse on tests of neuropsychological function than non-users. While the researchers controlled for differences in participant education levels, they didn’t rule out additional factors that may have contributed to cognitive decline. The researchers reported an association between ongoing marijuana use and cognitive decline. However, long-term marijuana may increase a person’s risk of substance use disorders, as well as problems with memory and concentration. The MRI scans of individuals who reported occasional or frequent marijuana use showed no significant differences in the brain volume, cortical thickness, or gray matter density compared to their abstinent peers.

No one can say one way or the other, and it is important not to allow today’s uncertainties to feed into scare tactics. Awareness of the limited facts we have is necessary for each one of us to make reasonable personal decisions for ourselves. Cannabinoids, such as THC, and naturally occurring endocannabinoids may have significant effects on brain function and development. This is because regions of how to force yourself to pee for a drug test the brain that control memory, learning, motor control, and sensory perception contain high concentrations of CB1 receptors.

For instance, cultivars high in CBD might be more suitable for those looking for pain relief without the intoxicating effects. There is only anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies to provide early insights, but large-scale, long-term studies will lead to more reliable conclusions. More studies need to be done to understand if this effect also applies to humans. In rare cases, marijuana triggers psychotic episodes featuring hallucinations and delusions.