Is Weed Addictive & Bad for the Brain? (Yes) 🧠
Destroying Common Myths About Marijuana w/ Neuroscience (7min Read)
TL;DR Summary:
Cannabis has therapeutic benefits for some medical conditions, but recreational use can be addictive and alter brain function. About 9% of users become addicted.
Common myths are that weed enhances creativity, memory, and mental health, but evidence disputes these claims. It can actually worsen anxiety, trauma symptoms, and psychiatric disorders.
Weed is addictive because it hijacks the brain's dopamine reward pathway, leading to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. This disrupts the balance between pleasure and pain.
Adolescent cannabis use is especially damaging, impairing learning, memory, and decision-making, and increasing mental health risks. Adult use alters brain connectivity and dopamine sensitivity.
Research on effects in older adults is limited, but potential benefits for pain, sleep, and mood exist. However, interactions with medications are a concern.
For recovery, dopamine fasting helps reduce cravings and restore sensitivity. Rediscovering joy in life is crucial after addiction too. Informed choices empower well-being.
To Weed or Not to Weed
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has gained increasing popularity in recent years, often accompanied by claims that it is a harmless substance with therapeutic benefits.
However, these assertions fail to consider the complex effects of cannabis on the brain and its potential for addiction.
Today, we'll delve into the neuroscience and psychology of cannabis, debunking common myths and shedding light on its potential harm!
Understanding the Origins of Weed Misconceptions
Let’s briefly dissect where the myths we’re going to cover today may come from first.
The perception of weed, also known as marijuana or cannabis, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, transitioning from a stigmatized substance to a widely accepted recreational and medicinal product.
This shift has been influenced by its association with counterculture, legalization of medical use, and media portrayal as a harmless, enjoyable substance.
This is often reinforced by social media and popular culture, but it overshadows scientific research, leading to a widespread belief in its benign nature despite emerging evidence of more complex health effects…
Misconceptions about Weed's Benefits
I believe that one of the largest contributors to these misconceptions and myths is the misunderstanding around its actual benefits.
Proponents of cannabis often cite these potential benefits as evidence of its overall safety.
So, let’s break them down.
While there is growing evidence of therapeutic applications, it is crucial to distinguish between supported benefits and unsubstantiated claims…
Here are some areas where real research has been done on cannabis:
Pain Management: Cannabis has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating chronic pain, particularly in conditions such as neuropathic pain and cancer-related pain.
Nausea Relief: Cannabis has shown promise in reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
Anti-seizure Effects: Some studies suggest that cannabis may have anti-seizure properties, potentially benefiting individuals with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Notice none of these talk about recreational usage, or suggest that it’s “safe” overall, with no side effects…
It’s also important to know that the psychoactive side of weed, Tetrahydrocannabinol or (THC), may not be the thing that is producing these benefits.
Current research suggests it’s more likely the cannabinoids that are producing these benefits, but since cannabinoids like Cannabidiol or (CBD) don’t make you “high”, they also don’t get as much press.
Finally, it is important to note that these benefits are primarily associated with medical cannabis use under the guidance of a healthcare professional, not recreational usage!
Weed Myths
These misconceptions have led to a whole host of non-scientific myths around weed, I’ll cover a few here.
Myth 1: Cannabis Is Not Addictive
False. While the addiction rate for cannabis is lower than that of some other substances, such as alcohol or tobacco, it still poses a significant risk of developing dependence.
Studies have shown that approximately 9% of cannabis users develop an addiction, a figure comparable to the addiction rates for other drugs.
What’s the Neuroscience of this?
One of the brain's primary functions is to regulate pleasure and reward.
When we engage in activities we find enjoyable, our brains release dopamine.
This surge of dopamine signals to our brains that we should repeat the behavior, reinforcing the action and creating a sense of pleasure.
Addiction arises from the manipulation of this reward system.
Addictive substances, including cannabis, hijack this system by triggering an excessive release of dopamine.
This surge of dopamine creates a temporary state of euphoria, reinforcing the behavior and making it more likely to be repeated.
Over time, the brain adapts to this increased dopamine level, requiring more and more of the substance to achieve the same level of pleasure.
This phenomenon, known as tolerance, is a hallmark of addiction in neuroscience.
If I’m not being clear enough, here’s the bottom line, weed is addictive in every sense of the word.
Myth 2: Weed Enhances Creativity
While some individuals may report feeling more creative while under the influence of cannabis, research suggests that this perceived boost in creativity is often illusory.
Studies have shown that cannabis can impair cognitive functions, including divergent thinking and problem-solving, which are essential components of creativity.
This isn’t to say it’s the case for everyone, but looking at flow state research suggests that you need more than just a flood of dopamine to effectively tap into creativity!
Myth 3: Weed Improves Memory
Despite anecdotal claims that cannabis can enhance memory, research has not consistently supported this notion.
Studies have shown that cannabis can actually impair memory, particularly short-term memory, and may hinder memory consolidation, the process of transferring information from short-term to long-term storage.
It also decreases blood flow to the hippocampus, the literal memory center of the brain.
Myth 4: Weed Can Treat Mental Health Issues
Contrary to some popular beliefs, evidence suggests that cannabis use does not aid in the long-term management of psychiatric conditions and might in fact exacerbate them.
While cannabis is often touted as a treatment for anxiety and other trauma-related symptoms, research suggests that it may worsen these conditions over time.
Studies have shown that chronic cannabis use can increase anxiety, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to these conditions.
For people with a history of trauma or Complex PTSD, the population I work closest with, cannabis use can pose an additional risk factor.
Trauma can disrupt the brain's stress response system, making individuals more susceptible to seeking relief through substances like cannabis.
However, this temporary relief often comes at the cost of exacerbating underlying mental health conditions and hindering the healing process.
How Weed Affects Your Brain Based on Your Age
Dr. Daniel Amen, a renowned psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and founder of the Amen Clinics, has conducted extensive research on the effects of cannabis on the brain.
His research has consistently shown that cannabis use can negatively impact various brain regions involved in critical cognitive functions, including:
Hippocampus: The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation and storage. Studies have shown that cannabis use can lead to decreased blood flow to the hippocampus, potentially impairing memory function.
Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions, such as planning, decision-making, and impulse control. Cannabis use has been associated with reduced blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, potentially affecting these essential cognitive abilities.
Cingulate Cortex: The cingulate cortex is involved in emotional regulation and attention. Cannabis use has been linked to decreased blood flow to the cingulate cortex, potentially contributing to emotional dysregulation and attention difficulties.
Adolescent Brain Development (10-19ish)
The adolescent brain is undergoing a period of rapid development, characterized by significant structural and functional changes.
The heightened plasticity inside an adolescent brain makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis.
Studies have shown that cannabis use during adolescence can lead to:
Impaired memory formation and learning: Cannabis use can interfere with the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory consolidation, leading to difficulties in learning and retaining new information.
Reduced cognitive flexibility: Cannabis can impair the prefrontal cortex, the brain's "executive control center," affecting an individual's ability to adapt to new situations, make decisions, and solve problems.
Increased risk of mental health problems: Cannabis use during adolescence has been associated with an increased risk of developing mental health conditions, such as psychosis and schizophrenia.
Adult Brain Function (20-64ish)
The adult brain, while still capable of plasticity, is less susceptible to the structural changes associated with cannabis use.
However, cannabis can still have a significant impact on adult brain function, including:
Altered brain connectivity: Cannabis use can disrupt the connections between different brain regions, potentially affecting cognitive function and emotional processing.
Reduced dopamine sensitivity: Chronic cannabis use can lead to a decreased sensitivity to dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation and reward. This can result in anhedonia, a loss of pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, this is oftentimes at the core of “burnout.”
Older Adult Brain Health (65+)
Research on the effects of cannabis on the aging brain is still emerging, but some studies suggest that it may have potential benefits for older adults.
For instance, cannabis has been shown to:
Reduce pain and inflammation: Cannabis may alleviate chronic pain and inflammation, common ailments in older adults.
Improve sleep quality: Cannabis may help older adults with sleep problems, potentially reducing insomnia and improving overall sleep quality, I will say this is HIGHLY debated.
Enhance mood: Cannabis may have mood-boosting effects, potentially reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of cannabis on older adult brain health.
**Additionally, older adults should consult with their healthcare providers before using cannabis due to potential interactions with medications.**
What To Do Now?
I hope by now you understand weed a bit better. It is by no means meth, but it’s also not all sunshine and rainbows either.
It’s a nuanced discussion without a doubt, and I’m not here to tell you what to do.
This blog is, and always will be a resource to inform you about the neuroscience behind things so that you can make decisions for yourself with more knowledge!
That being said, if this is an area you’d like some help improving on, here are some tools I suggest to clients!
Dopamine Fasting: A Recovery Tool
Dopamine fasting is a therapeutic approach that aims to restore balance to the brain's dopamine system by temporarily abstaining from all forms of dopamine stimulation, including cannabis, processed foods, social media, and excessive screen time for 48 hours.
While this practice may seem counterintuitive, it allows the brain's dopamine receptors to reset and regain their sensitivity, potentially reducing cravings and improving overall well-being.
Dopamine fasting can be an effective tool for individuals recovering from cannabis addiction, as it can help to:
Reduce cravings: By lowering dopamine levels, dopamine fasting can diminish the intense desire to use cannabis.
Restore sensitivity: Allowing dopamine receptors to rest and recover can enhance their ability to respond to natural sources of dopamine, such as pleasurable activities and social interactions.
Improve mood: By regulating dopamine levels, dopamine fasting can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, which often accompany cannabis addiction.
Life After Addiction
Recovering from addiction is a journey, not a destination.
After quitting, you might face challenges in rediscovering joy and motivation without substances.
This process requires patience, self-awareness, and a willingness to explore new sources of fulfillment.
Engaging in activities that bring genuine enjoyment, spending time in nature, pursuing hobbies, and connecting with loved ones, can such as help to rebuild a sense of purpose and satisfaction in life!
Conclusion
I believe unraveling the myths surrounding weed is essential for empowering people to make informed choices about their health and well-being.
By understanding the neuroscience and psychology behind addiction, I hope you can break free from harmful stereotypes and seek the support you may need to heal and thrive!
I wish you the best of luck, and until next time… Live Heroically 🧠
Supporting Research
"The Shifting Landscape of Cannabis: From Prohibition to Legalization and Beyond" by Bonnie Jones Ritter et al. (2020)
"Cannabis and Public Health: A Review of the Current State of Evidence" by Joseph J. Volpicelli et al. (2014)
"The Effects of Cannabis on the Brain and Mental Health" by Krista M. de Wit (2019)
"Cannabis and Addiction: A Review of the Evidence" by Marc Lewis Gollam et al. (2014)
"Cannabis and Adolescents: A Review of the Current State of Evidence" by Andrea C. Adams et al. (2017)
"Cannabis and Pain Management: A Review of the Evidence" by Ethan Russo and Yasmin Bennett (2015)
"Cannabis and Nausea and Vomiting: A Review of the Evidence" by Paul S. Bernstein and Michael A. Kleiman (2016)
"Cannabis and Epilepsy: A Review of the Evidence" by Orrin Devinsky et al. (2019)
"Cannabis and Schizophrenia: A Review of the Evidence" by Barbara Weiser et al. (2015)
"The Future of Cannabis Research" by Esther Blessing et al. (2019)