Weed Rehab

Marijuana affects the brain in both the short and long term.

Short-Term Consequences

When an individual smokes marijuana, THC rapidly enters the bloodstream via the lungs. The substance is transported to the brain and other body organs via the blood. When an individual consumes or drinks THC, the body processes it more slowly. They typically experience the effects after 30 to 45 minutes in this case.

THC operates on certain brain cell receptors that are normally activated by natural THC analogs. These natural substances contribute to normal growth and brain function.

Marijuana excessively stimulates the areas of the brain with the largest concentration of these receptors. This results in the “high” that many experiences. 

Harmful Effects of Short-Term Marijuana Abuse

• Skewed perceptions (for instance, seeing brighter colors)
• Distorted perception of time
• Mood swings
• Impairment of body movements
• Cognitive and problem-solving difficulties
• Memory impairment
• Phantoms (when high doses are consumed)
• Hallucinations (when  high doses are consumed)
• Psychotic state (risk is greatest with consistent use of increased potency marijuana)

Long-Term Consequences

Marijuana also has an effect on the development of the brain. When adolescents begin smoking marijuana, the drug may damage cognition, recall, and learning functions, as well as the way the brain connects the regions of the brain necessary for these tasks. Experts are still investigating the duration of marijuana’s effects and if certain alterations are permanent.

For instance, research performed in part by researchers at Duke University in New Zealand found that people who began smoking marijuana intensively in their teens and continued to have a continuing marijuana use disorder dropped an average of eight IQ points between the ages of 13 and 38. Mental talents that had been lost were not entirely restored in those who stop using marijuana as adults. Adults who began smoking marijuana did not exhibit significant IQ decreases.

A recent study on twins discovered a significant reduction in basic knowledge and language skills (equal to four IQ points) during the preteen and early adulthood for those who used marijuana, but no discernible variation between twins who used marijuana and those who did not. This shows that IQ reduction in marijuana users may be due to something besides marijuana, like shared familial characteristics (for example, family environment, genetics). The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a sizable longitudinal study, is following a high number of young adults in the US from childhood to early adulthood in order to better understand how and to what degree marijuana and other substances, separate or in combination, influence adolescent brain growth.

Harmful Effects of Long-Term Marijuana Abuse

While medicinal marijuana can give therapeutic benefit for a range of psychiatric and medical disorders, marijuana abuse can still have some negative consequences, including the following:

• Memory impairment.
• Cognitive and problem-solving difficulties.
• Inflammation and infection of the lungs, and recurrent respiratory problems.
• Acute coronary syndrome.
• Severe vomiting and nausea
• Anxiety and depression.
• Psychotic characteristics, like delusions and hallucinations.
• Symptoms of dependence and withdrawal.
• Addiction.
• According to studies, between 9 percent and 30 percent of marijuana users acquire a marijuana addiction.
• Fortunately, rehabilitation is available to assist you in achieving and maintaining sobriety.