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Cannabis Use
Cannabis Use
Cannabis Use
Cannabis has different effects on the brain depending on age, frequency of use, and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) levels. Studies have shown both positive and negative impacts on cognitive function, brain development, and mental health, with the impact depending on factors like interactions with pre-existing conditions and the use of other substances.
And there's a difference between immediate effects on areas like thinking, attention, memory, and movement, and long-term, often permanent effects on development, attention, memory, and learning when exposure occurs at a much younger age.
A Western-led study linked exposure to THC in teens with anxiety and memory loss, with chronic exposure having the potential to harm emotional and cognitive development. Researchers found molecular and neuronal anomalies in specific brain regions that could help improve understanding of these associated neuropsychiatric conditions.
Another study reviewing current literature found that significant changes in THC concentration in available cannabis seem to correlate with more cognitive and emotional deficits as a result of cannabis use during pregnancy. However, even as more accurate measures of exposure are now being taken, there are still significant gaps in understanding the impacts of even CBD in utero.
However, unlike the concerning impacts on adolescents and younger adults, cannabis is increasingly seen as having a potential therapeutic effect in some older adults for certain conditions, but studies are ongoing to assess its benefits.