All In Solutions Counseling Center on How Marijuana Impacts Brain

A study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry explains the effects of marijuana on the brain. The study supports a growing body of research showing that marijuana can alter brain chemistry. The study also found that marijuana affects learning, memory, appetite, and IQ. Below are some of the effects of marijuana on the brain. While these effects are not permanent, they will last for a short while. To learn more, keep reading.

Effects of marijuana on learning

The effects of marijuana on learning are debated, however. Some say marijuana can help students focus and recall more information during an exam. However, some psychological learning theories state that marijuana can improve concentration. For instance, a study by James Stellar, dean of Northeastern University's psychology department, found that cannabis users experienced less activity in the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is essential for learning and decision-making.

While marijuana does not directly affect memory, it can affect short-term memory, which is what allows people to learn and remember information they need for tasks. Marijuana also impairs memory, making it more difficult to switch attention and recall information. This can negatively impact learning and education. It can also lead to sexually transmitted diseases. This is not a good situation, particularly for teens who need to do well in school. Therefore, students should consider the adverse effects of marijuana on learning and use them as motivation to avoid marijuana.

Effects of marijuana on memory

The long-term effects of marijuana use on memory are unclear, but previous research indicates that chronic cannabis use can damage brain structures. Regular marijuana use can even impair the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for episodic memory, including life events and autobiographical experiences. This new research has several implications for healthcare providers. Identifying the threshold for marijuana consumption may help prescribe medicine more precisely, and the results may lead to new guidelines for the appropriate dosages for treating patients with HIV.

Previous studies have suggested that the cognitive impacts of marijuana use on HIV infection may be additive. However, the compensatory hypothesis provides an essential theoretical framework for future research. While this hypothesis has many important implications, further research is needed to determine whether it can link the two diseases. The next step is to investigate the interaction between HIV infection and marijuana use, as well as the independent effects of each on memory function. The aim of the study should be to prioritize research priorities and improve methodological improvements.

According to specialists at All In Solutions, "Specifically, the areas of cognitive function that seem to be most affected are verbal learning and memory. Working memory, decision making, processing speed, and attention are affected somewhat."

Effects of marijuana on IQ

The question of whether or not cannabis affects IQ has long puzzled researchers. While federal regulations prevent researchers from directly studying the drug, they could learn about identical twins who share genes and environmental influences. These research subjects underwent five intelligence tests and anonymous surveys about marijuana use. Results showed no correlation between marijuana use and lower IQ scores. In the Dunedin study, the same team of researchers used U.K. data to conclude the effects of marijuana on IQ.

The effect of marijuana on IQ was confirmed when adolescents ages 15 or older were assessed for IQ scores. In this study, 24% of adolescents reported using marijuana. The IQ of these marijuana users fell by about four points. In contrast, their sibling who didn't smoke pot showed a similar decline. The study also noted that marijuana use during the first six months was not associated with decreased IQ. Thus, marijuana use can affect IQ levels only if used frequently.

Effects of marijuana on appetite

If you're wondering how marijuana affects appetite, you're not alone. Some studies have shown that marijuana increases hunger in people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and the elderly. One holistic cannabis practitioner said that the increased appetite brought about by marijuana helped his father's chronic pain subside. Conventional pain meds often had terrible side effects, including constipation and fatigue. Moreover, the increased appetite was welcomed by his father.

Research shows that THC increases dopamine release, reducing inhibitions and increasing eating pleasure. These are the exact mechanisms that make marijuana affect your weight. While these effects are temporary, marijuana can make it hard to stop overeating. This is a significant reason why marijuana is often referred to as a "munchie drug."