The Power of Marijuana Use on Brain Health and Mental Well-Being
Cannabis and Brain Health:
Cannabis disrupts and alters brain development, especially in young users. It directly impacts brain function, particularly areas responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.
Effects on Brain Structure and Function
Gray Matter
- Regular cannabis use can lead to a reduction in gray matter volume, particularly in areas linked to emotion, motivation, and affect.
Hippocampus
· Individuals who use cannabis long-term often have a smaller hippocampus, the brain region responsible for learning and memory.
Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC)
- Marijuana users show increased activity and stronger connections in the part of the brain involved in decision-making and emotional regulation.
- Increased activity:
When someone uses marijuana, the OFC shows increased neural activity compared to when they are not using, which could potentially lead to altered decision-making and emotional processing during that time.
- Stronger connections:
Studies have also found that marijuana use can lead to increased functional connectivity within the OFC network, meaning that different parts of this brain region are communicating with each other more actively.
- Impact on behavior:
The increased activity in the OFC due to marijuana use can manifest as changes in behavior, such as impulsive decision-making, altered emotional responses, or difficulty with complex planning.
Chronic use and brain changes:
Prolonged marijuana use may cause structural changes in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), with research suggesting a decrease in gray matter volume in this area, which could affect cognitive abilities.
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis Use on the Brain
Short-Term Effects
- Recent cannabis use (within 24 hours) in youth and adults has an immediate impact on:
Thinking and attention- Memory
- Coordination and movement
- Time perception
Long-Term Effects
- Cannabis affects brain development, particularly in babies, children, and teenagers.
- The brain continues developing until age 25, making young users especially vulnerable.
- Studies suggest prenatal cannabis exposure may be linked to problems with:
Attention- Memory
- Problem-solving skills
- Behavior
Cannabis use before age 18 may disrupt the brain's ability to build connections for critical functions like attention, memory, and learning. Some effects could be long-lasting or permanent, but further research is needed.- Youth cannabis users may experience:
Lower academic performance- Difficulty with memory retention
Cannabis and Mental Health
Key Points:
· Using cannabis may cause disorientation, heightened anxiety, and feelings of paranoia.
- It is linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders, including psychosis and schizophrenia.
Mental Health Risks Associated with Cannabis Use
- Cannabis use can cause:
Disorientation- Anxiety and paranoia
- Unpleasant thoughts
Cannabis has been linked to a higher likelihood of developing
psychosis, which includes:- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Difficulty distinguishing reality
- Persistent marijuana use is linked to mental health conditions such as:
Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Social anxiety
- Heightened likleyhood of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and suicide
The risk of developing schizophrenia is particularly high in individuals who:- Begin using cannabis at a younger age
- Use cannabis frequently
