Cannabis users' brains can repair themselves: study

[vta]

New research shows how the brains of chronic cannabis users become less efficient than the brains of people who do not use the drug.

The University of Wollongong study also shows that over time the drug users' brains adapt and almost come back up to speed.

But experts say the study shows more evidence that cannabis should not be regarded as a soft drug.

The study shows the main psycho-active ingredient in cannabis, THC, lingers in the body for weeks, meaning that the brains of frequent users could be constantly exposed to the chemical.

University of Wollongong clinical psychologist Robert Battista says lingering effects of THC mean users' brains have to work harder to do the same tasks as people who do not use cannabis

"It is kind of like if you are driving your car down a freeway and the freeway is the most efficient neural pathway ... [cannabis users might find] the road has potholes or there is fog so that it is more effortful, more resources have to go into doing that same task," he said.

Mr Battista says for the study he asked cannabis users to perform tasks testing their memory, inhibition and attention.

He says long-term cannabis users surprisingly performed better at some tasks than newer users.

"During the process of the brain reorganising itself over an extended period of time, it looked like that long-term cannabis users were actually getting some recovery of their memory function with a longer history of use," he said.

"It is essentially the brain going: 'Okay, well these old pathways that we would prefer to use we can't because they have been disrupted so we'll have to use these other ones and we'll get better and better at using them.'"

But Curtin University National Drug Research Institute professor, Simon Lenton, says cannabis users should not get complacent.

He says many studies have been trying to establish if users can restore their cognitive functions over time.

"The picture is mixed. Some studies suggest that functioning does improve after a period of abstinence and for others ... it looks like it doesn't," he said.

"I think we are still at early days in terms of not only understanding the impact of cannabis on the brain, but also understanding the longer-term impacts and what happens when people stop using cannabis."

Professor Lenton says the new research is one of a number of studies to emerge over the past 10 years showing cognitive problems for chronic cannabis users.

He says the message does seem to be getting through that the drug is harmful, as cannabis use has been declining in Australia since the mid 1990s.

ABC News Link To Story

 

[Hydro-Soil]

So... where's the information showing which strains these people are using in the study?

Big damn difference between indica cannabinoid profiles and sativa cannabinoid profiles.

So where's the information on the brain functionality and the differences between sativa and indica users?

Stay Safe!

 

[SOTF420]

There is a huge difference between recreational, medical, & constant chronic users. Most times these studies focus on very heavy smokers with very high tolerances. Too much of any good thing usually is not good for you. Balanced usage with a healthy diet and active lifestyle is what is most important, along with drinking alot of water & cardio exercise.

 

[ureapwhatusow]

But now I have backing evidence to the testimony to the healing power cannabis has had for me

or for other bi-polar, PTSD, BPD and other behavioral and neurological disorder effected peoples

in fact it could even mean it can cure neurologically based drug addictions

(byproduct of cocaine and speed abuse, brain rewiring due to chemical influence)

Our normal pathways have problems do to neurological or environmental stress

POT FACILITATES making our brains choose another path

PROOF POSITIVE ITS USE HEALS US

if you read my threads since I stared i posted a number of thread how pot saved me and got my mind to function right again

TY MARIJUANA


VTA thanks again for constantly keeping us informed

 

[Skip]

The study shows the main psycho-active ingredient in cannabis, THC, lingers in the body for weeks, meaning that the brains of frequent users could be constantly exposed to the chemical.

Yes, and THC, is nearly the same as the endocannabinoids that are ALWAYS in our brains. So a little extra cannabinoid over time isn't going to make much difference. Usually within 24 hrs. it's decreased to much lower levels, unless you keep tokin'!

Once again they just IMPLY that cannabis, in this case THC, is a BAD "chemical", and not something similar to what we already have naturally occurring in our brains.

If we removed all the endocannabinoids from our bodies, we would die pretty quick, and it wouldn't be pretty.

I'm no scientist, but I bet if you did removed certain endocannabinoids from the human body and replaced them with THC, instead of dying, you'd do just fine!

 

[JamieShoes]

it's interesting because I consider that my use of cannabis is in fact making reperations already

 

[ibuster57]

The study makes no reference to what age the subjects started using cannabis. In my 40+ years of toking mainly people who used cannabis as adolescents are effected with neurology problems the most. Those that started using cannabis in college or as adults are affected the least.
Same as with alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or sugar. There are a huge number of factors that can effect a study like this. That is why legalization will allow better and more efficient science in this area. Performed by research groups not controlled and funded by the government.

 

[JCJ]

Just more bullshit money that the government spends to try an shit on us. Same shit in the Reagan era were he stated that bud kills brain cells but it turned out that they forced studied som chimps an suffocated them with smoke an said "LOOK WHAT WEED DID"

An if so what a side effect is in everything its more of the same wen u decide do u wanna get stuck in the couch or have a productive high. I think thats way more reasonable then a medication that gets recalled years later an now ur shitting out your mouth or your liver is about to explode...

 

[cateros]

Didnt reagan also claim that cannabis does as much harm as being exposed to the radiation of a nuclear blast?

 

[40AmpstoFreedom]

My brain is certainly affected under the influence of cannabis, but many times I have quit for a couple months after years of smoking every day my brain is completely fine. Smoked all throughout high school went into college and quit for the first couple of months and then only smoked 1-2 times a week unless 2 weeks out from exams. I had no problems acing higher level maths such as calculus etc., but you definitely must cease to accomplish perfection in my opinion. MJ, having no withdraw or real physical dependency I find it easy to do.

It takes me 1-2 weeks to fully recuperate in my opinion.

 

[RetroGrow]

Conversely, brain damage caused by alcohol is not reversible. Negative health effects of alcohol are well known, but no one is going to jail for using it. And it is advertised and promoted continuously on television, movies, commercials, etc.

 

[ureapwhatusow]

Conversely, brain damage caused by alcohol is not reversible. Negative health effects of alcohol are well known, but no one is going to jail for using it. And it is advertised and promoted continuously on television, movies, commercials, etc.

correct so could smoking cause the brain damaged alcoholic to force his brain to use new untapped brain pathways upon which to rebuild the thinking process??

 

[superbolan]

They used to say
"Why do you think its called dope"
now we can say
"why do you think its called medicine"

 

[NUG-JUG]

When I'm blazed, I think of more deep thoughts on issues most don't care about. I may be getting there down a "foggy pot holed road", but had I never tried the sacred herb...The journey of mind would never have begun....

 

[Hydro-Soil]

had I never tried the sacred herb...The journey of mind would never have begun....

This is why it's illegal. That and chemical company profits.


Stay Safe!

 

[RetroGrow]

correct so could smoking cause the brain damaged alcoholic to force his brain to use new untapped brain pathways upon which to rebuild the thinking process??

I don't think so
Once a brain cell dies, that's it. These are the only cells in our bodies that do not get replaced. Alcohol kills brain cells, which is different than the effects of cannabis.
However, it couldn't hurt to try!

 

[hazy]

University of Wollongong

wollongong? Are you kidding?! haha.

One more arrow in the rapidly filling quiver about to take aim at the whole medical/legalization movement and try to discredit and stop it forever.

 

[Tor0Tor0]

my brain must be incredibly efficient by now. LOL

 

[vta]

wollongong? Are you kidding?! haha.

One more arrow in the rapidly filling quiver about to take aim at the whole medical/legalization movement and try to discredit and stop it forever.

And why is that? Is it because you find the name funny? Maybe you should check it out before blasting it. Its a major university in Australia.

 

[Rustylions]

Living in Sydney I can tell you that Wollongong university, whilst not being in the elite universities, is still highly respected.

It is almost impossible to find a university here in Australia that is against cannabis legalisation. Apart from the Catholic/religious ones.

RL