How does weed affect the brain?
February 26, 2020
by Admin_M
Complicated Cognition
How does weed affect the brain?
How does weed affect the brain and cognition? That might depend on how and when people use it. Some teenagers who use marijuana recreationally appear to have slower brain function and lower IQs. On the other hand, people with medical conditions who stay slightly baked to manage their symptoms may actually see an increase in brain function.
A recent study on medical marijuana users looked at patients with a variety of conditions, including pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and gastrointestinal problems, before and after taking marijuana via their preferred method of use – smoking, eating or topically applying. Three months after patients started treatment, the researchers observed that their brains had more activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area associated with cognition, decision-making and executive function. They also saw an increase in task performance among users, signifying a boost in cognitive function. In addition, the treatment quelled their symptoms – most medical users in the study saw an increase in quality of life and alleviation of their ailments.
Recreational consumers and medical users have very different goals with use. This could explain why recreational users seek out super-loaded quantities of THC in the strains they smoke. Our Northern Lights strain is incredibly popular with local rec users. Whereas our higher CBD strains like Red Congolese are more popular with our medical customers. From 1995 to 2018, THC content in recreational weed increased from 4% to up to 33%, while the CBD content in modern-day marijuana is barely 0.15%. CBD however is also growing in popularity as a medical treatment for inflammation, pain and anxiety. Most patients choose to ingest this either as an edible or in its pure form CBD isolate.
The bottom line is this: Research on weed and how it affects the brain remains inconclusive. Results differ from person to person, depending on why and how they use the drug. With recreational marijuana use on the rise, researchers need to push for more concrete evidence on the drugs effects. It’s far from vanishing from the public eye, it’s like rock and roll….. it’s here to stay.
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