Marijuana has recently been decriminalized in many countries around the world. While many places only allowed for medicinal use, you can also now recreationally partake in marijuana without fear of legal repercussions. This change in legal status has also allowed for more studies to be conducted on the effects of marijuana on the human body. Recent studies have revealed that cannabis consumption increases both the risk of heart attack and stroke. Furthermore, a new study has indicated that there is also a damaging link between using marijuana and the brain.
Marijuana and the Brain
Dr. Daniel Amen, a brain imaging specialist and psychiatrist, recently spoke to Fox News Digital in an interview. Based on decades of brain imaging, Dr. Amen has stated that it is clearly evident that marijuana users experience lower blood flow in their brain. Amen stated that, “We’ve been lied to that marijuana is innocuous, that marijuana is good medicine, and I think for some people, it can be helpful. But teenagers who use it, or people in their 20s, have a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, suicide, and psychosis.“
Worrying Results
Dr. Amen also cited a new study that compared cigarette and marijuana smokers. According to Amen, those who smoked marijuana sustained more lung damage. He added that he had been horrified by trends he had witnessed of parents smoking cannabis with their teenage children and young adults. It has long been argued that marijuana is safer for your body than alcohol, but Amen replied that “Neither of them is good for you. Why would you want to consume something that makes your brain older than you are?”
Marijuana and Brain Development
The doctor warned that since young adults’ brains are not yet fully developed, smoking cannabis can mentally set back younger individuals, leading to problems such as depression and anxiety. He went on to say that as soon as a person starts consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, their development gets arrested. According to Amen, “Many people don’t really appreciate how important their brain is when they’re 17, 18, 21 or 23, because it really doesn’t finish developing until you’re 25 or 26. And if you hurt it early, it might not ever catch up.”
How Did Dr. Amen Come to His Conclusions?
While his statements are indeed worrying, how valid are his findings? Dr. Amen uses SPECT scans at his clinics. This is a kind of brain-imaging technology used to measure neural activity via blood flow. However, many physicians and researchers have stated that the efficacy of his methods is unclear or totally absent. According to Martha Farah, a neuroscience professor, these scans are highly profitable, yet remain unproven. According to Farah, “Tens of thousands of individuals, many of them children, have been exposed to the radiation of two SPECT scans and paid thousands of dollars out of pocket (because insurers will not pay) against the advice of many experts.”
Marijuana and Cognition
When it comes to marijuana and the brain, several studies have indicated that heavy use during adolescence can potentially affect the user’s memory and processing. Chronic use during these developmental years has been associated with various cognitive deficits and a lower IQ in the long run. However, it is still unclear whether cannabis is the cause of the problem or if it is the other way around. Some studies have shown various deficits in a person’s cognition even before using cannabis. So, it could be likely that having a low IQ may just make you more susceptible to cannabis addiction.
Read More: 25 Things People Didn’t Realize About Cannabis
The Effects of Chronic Use
Chronic cannabis use has been shown to negatively impact the user’s attention span, short-term memory, and cognitive abilities. However, once use has stopped for several months, these effects typically disappear. Yet, if the user started smoking during adolescence, these effects may persist. Researchers believe that this is because cannabis interferes with brain development in this critical period. Some researchers have also found a statistical association with cannabis consumption and the development of schizophrenia. However, these findings have proven to be controversial, as the studies suggest a correlation without having established any causative effect.
The Influence of THC on Brain Chemistry
THC is the psychoactive compound that makes people feel “high” when they smoke. It is known to affect the brain’s endocannabinoid system. This system plays an important role in helping to regulate mood, memory, pain sensation, and even appetite. When this compound binds to receptors, it can temporarliy alter your ability to think, which not ideal for young minds that are still developing. Research has shown that regular use has resulted in a loss of motivation in adolescents.
The Bottom Line
As it turns out, marijuana may impact our bodies in more ways than we realized. Younger people are particularly vulnerable as their brains are still developing. This makes younger people more susceptible to issues such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis in the long run. However, it has also been shown that some effects can be reversed after a few weeks of abstinence. While Dr. Amen’s SPECT findings suggest long-term harm, many experts within the medical field have questioned the validity of his methods. However, until we learn more, it is best not to overdo it and use cannabis moderately.
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