Cannabis affects the brain in different ways. Not only is it a drug that generates addiction through a neural process, but it also modifies the structure of brain tissue.
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Cannabis affects the brain by its ability to interact with neural receptors that humans already possess, but that are not specifically there for cannabis . It is a substance with high capacity to generate addiction .
In the world, cannabis is one of the most widely consumed drugs. Some countries have their legal circulation under certain conditions, while in other states there is no regulation outside the ban.
In either circumstance, the scientific studies suggest that the cannabis affects the brain in various ways , changing the structure of neurons and corrupting the learning process. As we will see in the article, these investigations warn about the future effects of the consumption of this drug.
The problem is that many young people interpret that cannabis is a drug with slight effects, and that its recreational use will not have a bad impact. They are convinced that sporadic use is far from affecting them.
For this reason, its use on the planet has become so widespread. Those who start using it don’t wonder if cannabis affects the brain or not. They seek immediate satisfaction that the drug offers, under the premise that there is no harm. But that assumption is wrong.
What is cannabis?
Cannabis is a more generic name that can cause confusion. We must distinguish between the plant from which the drug is obtained, the active compound that interacts with neurons, and the other derivatives.
The plant is called Cannabis sativa . It is a vegetable with multiple components, among which is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC . THC has a high psychotropic capacity, that is, it has an affinity for human neurons and their receptors.
From the plant we can obtain marijuana, which represents the most widespread consumption substance in terms of addiction. It is prepared with the dried leaves and flowers of Cannabis sativa .
We can also get hash and hash oil. Here the process is more complex, involving distillation or heating the plant to a boil. Hash is much more potent than marijuana, as it contains up to 50% THC.
Marijuana is extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, where the most important component is THC.
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Cannabis affects the brain by changing it
Cannabis use leads to addictive behavior, as the substance causes changes in the brain’s reward circuitry. Generally speaking, THC is satisfying and requests more THC to maintain that status.
Addiction is based on how cannabis affects the brain. To such an extent that it causes withdrawal syndromes , which is one of the criteria in addictions to classify them as such. This syndrome appears when you stop using the substance.
Withdrawal from marijuana is usually mild and benign in terms of withdrawal symptoms, but no less important. The addicted person without this substance for a time begins with insomnia , loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms disappear if you consume a dose of THC .
But cannabis doesn’t just affect the brain in terms of addiction. The scientific research confirms that the THC is neurotoxic, ie that intoxicates our neurons. There is evidence of a relationship between marijuana and the development of psychiatric illness, for example.
When marijuana is used chronically, the brain changes, and those changes are harmful. It worsens memory and attention, so recent episodes that are erased from the memory circuit are not remembered.
Cannabis also alters some motor movements, which is linked to the effect of THC on neurons that are in charge of regulating motor skills. Finally, anxiety states are another consequence of how cannabis affects the brain.
Cannabis can alter the function of neurons and their plasticity.
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Neurons that are not connected by cannabis
Scientific studies have suggested that THC modifies and stops the possibility of neurons to change . This process is neuroplasticity, and it is essential for learning processes.
Through neuroplasticity , the brain can incorporate new knowledge by making neural connections that did not exist before. Without that internal capacity, we have no cognitive memory.
When evaluating the effect of THC on rat brains, it was noted that the substance acts in the hippocampus, reducing the balance of proteins that are used to learn new things . This, transferred to the human being, and especially to young people, is a great alert about its consumption and the deterioration of learning.
So cannabis affects the brain, and that impact is severe in school terms, for example. Nor can we leave out other learning that uses the same circuit, such as training for a specific sport or developing capacity in the kitchen and manual activities.
Cannabis affects the brain and is not a mild drug
The troubling success of marijuana is in the advertising messages that have placed it as a safe drug. Well, it isn’t. Its effects are deleterious on the brain, learning processes and memory. His addiction is serious, and much more if we consider that it is concentrated in very young people .
