Whether cannabis, or marijuana, kills brain cells remains unknown, and current research studies have yielded conflicting results. Please note that the studies covered in this article mainly consider the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol THC on the brain. THC is just one of over cannabinoids found in marijuana. The body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which are similar to cannabinoids. Both cannabinoids, such as THC, and these natural endocannabinoids, bind to the same receptors in the brain.
When endocannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, they affect the following body functions:. Cannabinoids, such as THC, and naturally occurring endocannabinoids may have significant effects on brain function and development. This is because regions of the brain that control memory, learning, motor control, and sensory perception contain high concentrations of CB1 receptors. Current research on this topic has yielded conflicting results. Other studies indicate the opposite. In one animal study , researchers compared differences in working memory between adult rats exposed to a synthetic cannabinoid and those exposed to glucose during adolescence.
The researchers found that the rats they exposed to cannabinoids had a significantly better working memory in adulthood than the control rats. In another animal study , researchers found that exposure to THC induced brain tissue growth and improved learning and memory function in rats. After adjusting for demographic factors, psychiatric conditions, and other drug use, the researchers found long-term exposure to marijuana was associated with impaired verbal memory.
Published : 13 October Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:. Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative.
Advanced search. Skip to main content Thank you for visiting nature. Download PDF. Cannabinoid injections sprout new neurons in mice. You have full access to this article via your institution. One synthetic cannibinoid has the same effect on part of the brain as antidepressants. References 1 JiangW. Authors Geoff Brumfiel View author publications. Learn More. Individuals under 25, whose brains are still developing, are most susceptible to the effects of Marijuana on the brain.
Moreover, those who smoked Marijuana throughout their adolescence, then stopped, did not regain their IQ points. Conversely, individuals who began using Marijuana in their adulthood did not experience any IQ loss.
Synthetic Marijuana , a man-made Hallucinogenic substance typically sprayed onto plant material, is not safe for human consumption but has become popular in recent years. Synthetic Marijuana is illegal and may have toxic ingredients that can cause increased heart rate, unexplained bleeding, and vomiting. Similarly to Marijuana, Synthetic Marijuana affects the brain by attaching itself to the Cannabinoid receptor type 1 CB1 found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Because CB1 receptors have multiple locations in the brain, side effects can be intense and harmful.
Synthetic Marijuana may cause the brain and body to experience: Memory loss Seizures Psychosis Cardiac and respiratory problems Stroke Paranoia Hallucinations Altered perception or euphoria Violent behavior Kidney and brain damage. In addition to the above symptoms, Synthetic Marijuana can be addictive to individuals who take it. Addiction, a chronic disease, can result in drug abuse that directly damages the brain — as well as risky behaviors that can cause further damage.
After prolonged use of Synthetic Marijuana, brain cell activity is likely to decline with a concurrent increase in negative physiological symptoms like the ones above. Make a Call Marijuana can have calming effects on the individual, but when overused or combined with other substances can be very harmful.
Stopping Marijuana use can be difficult; if you or a loved one struggles to stop or endangers their life, detox and treatment may be required. Treatment takes individuals away from triggers that cause relapse. Meanwhile, counseling can help patients in recovery uncover what they need most. Medications can help reduce cravings for Marijuana, and detox eliminates toxins in the body and returns it to its healthy state.
Rehab-related help is available. No one needs to struggle with addiction alone. Contact a treatment provider today. Krystina Murray has received a B. She enjoys traveling, fitness, crafting, and spreading awareness of addiction recovery to help people transform their lives.
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction. It could also be the case that cannabinoids behave differently in different rodent species — which leaves open the question of how they behave in humans.
Zhang says more research is needed before it is clear whether cannabinoids could some day be used to treat depression in humans. By Kurt Kleiner A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. Just like Prozac?
0コメント