Opinions on cannabis consumption are endless, the web is flooded with forums talking about the effects of cannabis on the human brain and how weed affects normal daily actions. The effects of cannabis on the body – like any other substance – are extremely individual , and it is impossible to provide a single opinion on the subject. Often the forums that talk about the negative effects of marijuana are managed by people who have never taken it and who base their opinions exclusively on mainstream, prohibitionist and even slightly dated thinking. Cannabis can become a precious, powerful and versatile ally, capable of alleviating the symptoms of many disorders such as stress, anxiety and insomnia. You don't die or become stupid from cannabis, with due care. We will tell you about:
- What are the effects of cannabis on the brain?
- Cannabis and work
- Cannabis and teenagers
- Cannabis and study
- Concentration and cannabis sativa
- How does cannabis boost energy?
What are the effects of cannabis on the brain?
According to science, cannabinoids directly influence the electrical impulses of the human brain.
However, different cannabis strains, with different cannabinoid content, cause different effects: Indica strains tend to induce drowsiness and slow down the functioning functions of the brain, while Sativa strains are renowned for their ability to mentally stimulate those who take them.
The most significant impact is on memory , especially short-term memory, which is the most vulnerable to the effects of marijuana. Present-day information and interaction with the surrounding environment are most affected, along with the processing of short-term thoughts and memories and concentration, which are drastically reduced.
In an unfamiliar context that requires rapid responses, this effect can be negative.
Our body is littered with cannabis receptors , which contribute to communication between our central nervous system and the rest of the body. When cannabis is consumed, the herb's compounds bind to the endocannabinoid system, generating the well-known and innumerable therapeutic potential of cannabis.
Simply put, the endocannabinoid system is a self-regulatory system whose primary goal is to create optimal balance in the mind and body . When we take compounds like THC or CBD , they interact with the ECS and the balance of the system as a whole changes.
Cannabis and work
Marijuana can also negatively affect so-called working memory . This is the ability to process the information that comes to us from the outside in real time; it is activated when you are learning something and helps build connections between things, concepts or people.
According to some studies, people under the effects of THC tend to have a lower working memory capacity than sober people . The effects of Cannabis prevent certain actions from being carried out correctly, reducing concentration towards external stimuli.
This type of memory is also related to concentration . Some people under the effects of cannabis may seem distracted and sometimes have difficulty pronouncing words properly or express themselves in difficult to understand concepts.
According to some studies, the very memory in which we store our vocabulary could be negatively affected by the use of Cannabis. Research conducted on 3,300 individuals over a 25-year period found that marijuana users "lose" one word for every five years of continued use .
The final result, however, always depends on one's mental state and context. If for work you have to interact with many people and be reactive to external stimuli, marijuana certainly will not become our best ally. Those who carry out creative or solitary jobs perceive a benefit from taking cannabis , managing to isolate themselves from the outside world, with the result of following their creative flow.
So go ahead for graphic designers, illustrators, writers and programmers!
Cannabis and teenagers
Obviously, when we talk about the effects of cannabis on the organism, we are referring to the human body which has already completed its development. So let's talk about the effects of cannabis on adults. These effects change greatly in adolescents, who should never take cannabis or other psychoactive substances.
In fact, during growth, marijuana can reduce processing and learning abilities, memory, and interferes with the construction of connections between areas related to learning, memory and sociality .
Studies examining brain function in young people who use cannabis regularly or chronically (regular means 10 to 19 times a month and chronic 20 or more times a month) show potential abnormalities in some brain regions. Including those affecting memory and executive functioning.
It appears that as with other psychoactive substances, the younger the age at which one starts using substances, the more likely it is that an addiction will develop in adulthood.
Cannabis and study
The effects of taking marijuana during “intellectual” activities vary from person to person. In fact, the effect depends on many factors and the only way is to make experiments.
There is an important aspect to take into consideration to best manage the effects during a study session: choosing the right genetics.
In fact, cannabis sativa has a positive effect on the brain, making you active and creative, without generating the well-known feeling of drowsiness associated with weed. After the study, however, the green light is given to moderate cannabis intake, which certainly will not make you forget what you have just learned.
Concentration and cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa strains contain a high amount of cannabinoids (up to 111) which can provide more energy, without the risk of clouding the mind.
Many detractors of cannabis tend to insist on its ability to make you lazy and unproductive. Cannabis is a plant with endless potential, and it is almost impossible to give a univocal definition to the substance and its effects.
There are a large number of people who smoke weed regularly and claim to remain functional even under the influence of cannabis .
There are many cannabis strains that drain the consumer of all energy, and these are the perfect genetics for relaxing and unwinding after a long day. However, most smokers know that many other cannabis strains - especially sativas - have the opposite effects.
This is because each variety of marijuana contains different cannabinoids, in varying proportions. For this reason, cannabis sativa offers more stimulating sensations and does not induce tiredness or drowsiness . They typically contain more cannabinoids that stimulate dopamine production in the brain than indica strains.
HOW DOES CANNABIS STIMULATE ENERGY?
The production of dopamine allows us to feel a sense of pleasure and satisfaction , which has a motivational effect on the brain, thanks to the sensitivity of the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors to the substance.
Dopamine is released when we do things that promote our survival, such as eating, learning new things, or having sex. The release of dopamine makes us feel so good, it makes us do these things again and again .
The dopamine reward system is linked to learning and memory : when you experience a feeling of well-being, the brain associates the surrounding context and the information derived from it with the impending pleasure.
For example, when you smell food before eating, your brain begins to release dopamine in anticipation of when you will eat.
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