With 16% of Americans using Marijuana in a single year, it is very troubling to hear when people say that the drug has a chance of killing off brain cells. At the same time, though, a level of due diligence is always important when one hears news or rumors such as this. So the question becomes, does marijuana kill brain cells or not?
Below, this article will investigate the possibility of where the rumor comes from and why it spread so easily. We cite several studies that look into the issue and provide you with our best understanding of the effects of this drug. By the end, you should understand the full extent of Marijuana’s effects and how it can be a real danger to users.
Does Marijuana Kill Brain Cells?
In short, no. The current understanding, based on recent studies in this field, seems to suggest that marijuana does not kill off brain cells. While there may have been myths that spread throughout the last 20th Century related to cannabis and brain health, they are not true.
It is important, as always, to ensure that any discussion of personal health comes from a position of strong scientific consensus. If the medical profession did not follow this tenet, they may end up engaging in questionable practices that could cause more harm than good. As such, we as a society try to follow the most valid and reliable scientific studies more than anything else when working out how to react to drug use.
With this in mind, instead of banning the use of marijuana, many states have settled on legalizing its use in specific circumstances. They would not have done this were it to offer a real danger to its users.
The Origin of This Myth
Many of these rumors seem to have appeared due to a few studies throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Over time, more studies have failed to replicate their results, suggesting they had significant flaws. For this reason, it is disappointing that these studies, such as those by R G Heath et al, continue to receive citations to this day.
The reason many of these studies spread with such popularity was in part due to the politics of the time. The late 20th Century saw the “War on Drugs” expand and spread to many areas of American culture. Anti-marijuana campaigns took on a new lease of life, and as such a lot of misinformation and propaganda related to this topic appeared.
Scientific Studies
It is important to discuss the marijuana studies that have recently occurred and what their results are. These can give us a better comprehension of our latest understanding of the effects of marijuana on the body.
One of the more recent studies that exist discusses how cannabis can lead to a loss of blood to the brain. While this is not a direct effect on the brain’s function or its cells, blood loss can itself cause such significant issues.
It is also useful for us to look at the “Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study”. This ongoing research, also called the “ABCD Study”, looks into brain development in teens and children in the United States.
They have determined some potential links exist between the use of marijuana and the ability of the brain to develop connections. Still, these results are inconclusive and they have said that more studies must occur before they can draft any conclusions.
They admit that the long-term effects on the brain may occur due to something other than marijuana. Although, they do still have concerns about using marijuana during pregnancy.
The study found links between prenatal cannabis exposure and how likely children are to develop psychosis. Again, they highlight the need for further study, but they remain more confident in these links than many others.
What Does Marijuana Really Do?
Marijuana contains several cannabinoids. These are chemicals that the body produces naturally in very small amounts and act as a form of neurotransmitter. When they interact with specific receptors, the body responds with changes that have different purposes.
Introducing marijuana to a person causes the cannabinoids found within the plant to enter the bloodstream. From there, they activate the endocannabinoid receptors and can trigger similar responses. Depending on the amount of cannabis imbibed, though, this reaction can be much stronger and cause a “high” in the user’s body.
The strength of this high can rely on many different factors. These include how the person takes the cannabis, the strain of marijuana taken, and the individual in question’s metabolism. As such, you cannot have any assurance that two people will receive the same effect from the same cannabis.
Short-Term Effects
For a few hours after using marijuana, a person will feel a “high” or “buzz”. When this begins can depend on the method of taking the drug, although it can be anything from a few seconds to several hours later. Such differences in methods can also affect how long the effects of the cannabis last, the high lasting anywhere from one to eight hours.
When first taking marijuana, the user will start to feel a sense of relaxation. This usually occurs alongside a strong euphoria, which continues through most of the high. For many, they may also start to perceive the world in a different way from when not using the drug.
Some of the changes to perception in a user might include:
- Alterations in time perception
- Enhanced taste or smell
- Improved sight or hearing
These changes often feel positive and can end up distracting the user. Due to this, many users of marijuana may find it hard to concentrate on things occurring around them.
Cannabis also reduces a person’s cognitive function. They may discover they have reduced coordination and that their fine motor skills do not match those of when they are not using cannabis.
Other side effects may include:
- Dry mouth
- Faster heart rate
- Feelings of paranoia
- Bloodshot eyes
- Increased appetite
Different people feel these side effects in different amounts depending on how used to marijuana they are.
Long-Term Effects
As people continue to use marijuana, especially when smoking it, they may find they start to suffer from respiratory issues. The impact of any form of smoke on a person’s lungs cannot be overstated. Smoking anything, even cannabis, can encourage bronchitis or a chronic cough to occur, and lung infections may be more likely.
Long-term use of the drug is also known to impact someone’s memory over time. Those that use the drug in much larger amounts may find the onset of this is faster than in others.
There is some evidence to suggest that those who use cannabis can also start to suffer from mental health issues. These problems can sometimes include anxiety and depression. Although, there are also some studies ongoing that seem to link marijuana use to full-blown psychosis.
Is Marijuana Addiction Real?
While addiction is much less common with cannabis users than opioid users, it can still exist. Addiction is a very complicated condition and is characterized by specific behaviors.
People who use drugs a lot can sometimes alter their brain’s dependencies over time. Because of this, some users can become addicted or dependent.
Treating the Mental Health Effects of Marijuana Use
We must recognize that marijuana use can affect people’s mental health in many different ways. Not only this, but it may cause some people’s existing problems to get worse due to an overlap of the symptoms of illnesses and cannabis’ side effects.
A person in such a situation should seek out psychotherapy at the earliest convenience. This medical professional can discuss the options that the individual has. These may relate to therapy, counseling, detoxing from the drug, or entering rehab.
Dependence Treatment Options
Dependence on or addiction to marijuana is not too far from any other substance addiction issue. As such, you are best placed to respond with similar steps when dealing with other drug-related issues. Recommendations for specific actions to take may include:
- Seeking counseling for the addiction
- Seeking therapy for underlying conditions
- Engaging in addiction treatment programs
- Using medication to stave off withdrawal symptoms
- Visiting a rehabilitation center
- Engaging with support groups
It is also useful to ensure that someone has a strong support network in place. There are many social difficulties in accepting and responding to drug dependence in modern society. As such having support in place can often increase the likelihood that someone follows through on recovery.
Get Help With Marijuana Issues
You can now safely answer the question, “Does marijuana kill brain cells?” without worrying about coming across as making it all up. Still, even with this information, if you have concerns about a loved one’s use of the drug, you might want to look into recovery. This is especially true now you know what dependence is and what it might look like.
Our rehab specialists can discuss the options we have for handling detox and dependence recovery in the California area. As such, you should check out our Bay Area facilities and talk to us to learn more.
