Marijuana is classified as a Class I controlled substance in the federal legislation along with some dangerous synthetic addictive drugs. Lack of research is often cited as the reason for the bad reputation of marijuana. Some people also think that alcohol and tobacco industry have also played a part in concealing the facts on marijuana.
Luckily, the awareness regarding marijuana is improving. Therefore, legalization of medical cannabis has become a part of the national political discourse, while many states have also commenced their own medical marijuana programs. All this development shows that most of the information available on marijuana doesn’t have any authentic origin.
In this blog, we will try to have an impartial discussion on how marijuana affects the human brain and alter its several functions.
Marijuana Temporarily Alters Attention and Concentration
It is a widespread misconception that consumption of marijuana can alter brain functions that result in a permanent diminution of attention and concentration levels in the user. Marijuana certainly affects attention span of an individual, but there are many caveats attached to it.
Amount of THC: The loss of attention and concentration is proportional to the amount of THC present in marijuana products. Only marijuana with more than 50 percent THC levels can alter concentration in a way that can affect daily life. But this high level of THC can only be found in Hashish oils (a derivative of marijuana plant).
A Temporary Effect: Even if someone has administrated high levels of THC, they can get back their normal attention and concentration levels within a week or two. It’s worth noting that medical marijuana has THC levels in between 2-5 percent. This means patients using medical marijuana products will have negligible effects on their concentration levels.
Marijuana Affects the Brain to Control Epileptic Seizures
A study proved that marijuana with its effect on the brain helps in controlling and minimizing the number of epileptic seizures. It has been studied that marijuana activates a receptor protein in the brain that is responsible for controlling the epileptic seizures by regulating relaxation and controlling excitability.
Marijuana Affects the Brain to Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases with the formation of amyloid plaque in the brain. Amyloids are the protein fibrils that damage the brain cells and induce Alzheimer’s disease. THC, one of the cannabinoids, present in marijuana stops the formation of enzymes that facilitate the formation of amyloid. By slowing down the production of amyloid, one can reduce the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease.
Marijuana Doesn’t Affect Working Memory
Different studies have proved this notion wrong that marijuana’s effect on the brain alters working memory. There are no long-term and residual effects of marijuana on the working memory.
The above discussion has made it evident that the effects of marijuana on the brain are overstated. In reality, few strains of marijuana alter some brain functions that actually facilitate the treatment of certain medical conditions. To get medical strains of marijuana for a pertinent health condition, you can contact a quality store in your area.