Being aware of these effects can help you know what’s normal and what indicates problematic substance use that may require treatment. The CB1 receptors in the ECS are found on many brain cells, including astrocytes. Astrocytes play multiple positive roles, including maintaining the blood-brain barrier, providing nutrients to neurons, and regulating neurotransmitter function.
A 2016 review also states that heavy marijuana users tend to perform worse on tests of neuropsychological function than non-users. The effect of marijuana use on brain structure and function among adults is less clear. A 2017 report cited moderate evidence that using marijuana as an adolescent is a risk factor in the development of problem cannabis use later on. Marijuana use appears to be more harmful for people under the age of 25, whose brains are still developing. A well-known does marijuana kill brain cells 2012 study from New Zealand evaluated marijuana use and cognitive ability in more than 1,000 individuals over a 38-year period.
Tips for Using Cannabis Responsibly
Some studies evaluate the cognitive effects of marijuana use for chronic cannabis users, but more research needs to be done on whether or not consuming marijuana can actually kill your brain cells. As the amount of THC contained in edibles can vary greatly, how heavily it impacts cannabinoid receptors in the brain can also vary dramatically. While it is inconclusive how and if edibles kill brain cells, that they cause the same neurochemical reactions in the brain as smoking marijuana may be indicative of having similar negative side effects. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. While there’s no clear evidence that marijuana kills brain cells, THC — which is the active component in weed that makes you feel high — can impair brain cell function.
CBD vs. THC
Early research suggests that marijuana use (especially in kids and teens) can have lasting negative impacts on the brain, including lower problem-solving, cognitive functioning, speed, and memory. Heavy and frequent users of marijuana may be at higher risk for these neurological effects, especially when they begin using young and continue for many years. Some studies have also shown that long-term, heavy use of cannabis may result in changes to the brain structure. These changes were more prominent in adolescent users who started using marijuana at an early age.
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Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider. Discover affordable rehab centers near you, offering easy access and convenience. People who drink, smoke cigarettes, or use marijuana from a young age are also more likely to do so later on in life. More studies need to be done to understand if this effect also applies to humans. Find your “sweet spot” to relieve your symptoms by adjusting the dosing quantity and time of use. By using the lowest effective dose, you can achieve the desired results, use less product, and avoid building tolerance.
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. Just as years of heavy alcohol, meth, and heroin use can cause some irreversible brain damage, prolonged marijuana abuse can affect the ability of brain cells to convey messages (also known as brain activity). Using marijuana can cause damage to brain cells that results in a number of concurrent symptoms throughout the body. At this time, scientists are not fully aware of the long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain.
- Keep reading to learn more about what current studies have to say about marijuana’s short- and long-term effects on the brain.
- 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.
- It may also affect important executive functions, such as decision-making and problem-solving.
- When a person smokes marijuana, they may notice they struggle with staying focused or recalling important details.
- Both cannabinoids, such as THC, and these natural endocannabinoids, bind to the same receptors in the brain.
- Long-term and frequent marijuana use probably affects cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning, but more research needs to be done to understand how.
Illegal Drug Addiction
THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana, or cannabis, that creates the ‘high’ effect. These short-term effects of marijuana use typically only occur in the 24 hours after use. They may be more intense immediately after use and then slowly dissipate. Yet other studies — including this 2015 study — report no significant differences between the brain shape and volume of daily marijuana users and non-users. A 2013 reply to the New Zealand study suggests that personality factors may play a role in both marijuana use and cognitive decline. The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only.
- If you’re going to use marijuana — whether for recreational or medicinal purposes — it’s important to do everything you can to make it as safe as possible.
- Because CB1 receptors have multiple locations in the brain, side effects can be intense and harmful.
- 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.
- The researchers found that the rats they exposed to cannabinoids had a significantly better working memory in adulthood than the control rats.
- That’s why you might have trouble remembering if you smoke weed or eat a THC-infused edible.
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When used legally and in moderation, marijuana can have calming effects for some, but when overused or combined with other substances, it can be very harmful. Stopping marijuana use can be difficult; if you or a loved one struggle to stop or are experiencing negative effects of marijuana use, marijuana addiction treatment may be required. Meanwhile, therapy can help patients in recovery learn and understand what they need most. In addition to the above symptoms, synthetic marijuana can be addictive to individuals who take it.
The study also found that people who knew these long-term cannabis users well observed that they had developed memory and attention problems. The above findings persisted even when the study authors controlled for factors such as dependence on other drugs, childhood socioeconomic status, or baseline childhood intelligence. Recent research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry closely followed nearly 1,000 individuals in New Zealand from age 3 to age 45 to understand the impact of cannabis use on brain function. The endocannabinoid system, rich in endocannabinoids (or eCBs for short), plays a pivotal role in various brain functions, from mood regulation to memory.
It is also worth noting that a subset of the study participants who used marijuana in adolescence had slightly better working memory scores than those who did not use marijuana. However, they found no evidence to suggest an association between marijuana use and cognitive processing or executive function. If you’re going to use marijuana — whether for recreational or medicinal purposes — it’s important to do everything you can to make it as safe as possible. Never drive, operate machinery, or engage in any tasks that require intense focus while under the influence of marijuana or another substance. 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.
We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. Cannabis—which can also be called marijuana —is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at The intensity and duration of these symptoms can largely depend on the strain and potency of the marijuana and the person’s tolerance.