Marijuana Theory

In 1970, marijuana was classified as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States.

It's the strictest designation possible, meaning it's completely illegal and has no approved medical uses. This view persisted stubbornly for decades, and research into the drug's mechanisms and effects set back. Today, the therapeutic benefits of marijuana are widely recognized, and some countries have legalized or are moving toward medical use. But the growing awareness of marijuana's medicinal benefits does not answer the following questions:

Does recreational marijuana use affect the brain? Marijuana affects the body's cannabinoid system, which has receptors throughout the brain and body. Endogenous molecules, so-called endocannabinoids, also act on these receptors. Although the cannabinoid system is not fully understood, there are features that provide important clues as to its function. Most neurotransmitters spread messages through synapses he travels from one neuron to the next. However, endocannabinoids work in the opposite direction. As messages are passed from one of her neurons to the next, the receiving neurons release endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids affect the sending neurons back, essentially giving feedback from the receiving neurons. This has led scientists to believe that the primary function of the endocannabinoid system is to modulate other types of signals, enhancing some and dampening others. Feedback from endocannabinoids slows nerve signaling. However, this does not necessarily mean slowing down behavior or cognition. For example, slowing down the signal that suppresses odor can actually make the odor stronger. Marijuana contains two main active compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is primarily thought to be responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects on behavior, cognition, and perception, while CBD is responsible for its non-psychoactive effects. Like endocannabinoids, THC delays signaling by binding to cannabinoid receptors. However, as endocannabinoids are released at specific sites in response to specific stimuli, they bind to receptors within this vast diffusion system. This pervasive activity, coupled with the fact that the cannabinoid system indirectly influences many other systems, explains how each individual's specific brain chemistry, genetics, and past life experiences affect how they experience drugs. It means that the main decision is whether to This is more true of marijuana than any other drug that exerts its effects through one or more specific pathways. So, if there are any negative effects, the effects will vary greatly from person to person. And while we don't know exactly how marijuana causes specific adverse effects, there are distinct risk factors that may make people more likely to experience these adverse effects. The most obvious risk factor is age. People under the age of 25 have more cannabinoid receptors in the white matter than people over the age of 25. White matter is involved in communication, learning, memory, and emotion. Frequent marijuana use can interfere with the development of white matter pathways and impair the brain's ability to make new connections. This can affect long-term learning and problem-solving abilities. It is unknown at this time how serious the damage is and whether it is recoverable. And even for young people, the younger they are, the higher the risk. For example, a 15 year old's risk is much higher than he is 22 years old. Marijuana can also induce hallucinations and delusions. Known as marijuana-induced psychosis, these symptoms usually go away when you stop using marijuana. Rarely, however, the psychosis does not subside and an ongoing mental disorder develops. A family history of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia is the most, if not the only, obvious risk factor for this effect. Marijuana-induced psychosis is also more common in young people, but it is worth noting that psychosis is most common in this age group anyway. What is unclear in these cases is whether the psychiatric disorder would have occurred in the absence of marijuana use, i.e., whether marijuana use prematurely caused the psychiatric disorder or triggered a tipping point that otherwise could not have been crossed. or an incomplete response to marijuana. It just shows the underlying state. Perhaps marijuana's role is different for each person. As with many other drugs, repeated use at any age desensitizes the brain and body, delaying the same effects. Fortunately, unlike many other drugs, marijuana does not pose a fatal overdose risk, and even when used in large amounts, discontinuation can lead to debilitating and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. does not cause it. However, marijuana withdrawal has more subtle symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, irritability, and depressed mood, that resolve within weeks of stopping use. So is marijuana bad for the brain? It depends on who you are. However, while some risk factors are easily identifiable, others are poorly understood. That is, even in the absence of any known risk factors, adverse effects are still possible.