Some studies suggest that THC has potentially permanent neurotoxic effects that impair people’s verbal learning, memory, and focus. Get professional help from an addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp via phone, video, or live-chat. When a person smokes marijuana, they may notice they struggle with staying focused or recalling important details. This can worsen with prolonged marijuana use, resulting in problems like poor memory and concentration.
What Research Says About Cannabis and Brain Health: Does Smoking Weed Kill Brain Cells?
Studies evaluating the cognitive effects of long-term marijuana use are ongoing. As legalization has developed across the country, there has been an increase in older adults using cannabis for various reasons. Many have questions regarding how cannabis may affect different ailments, including those related to dementia.
Learning Center
This may include approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescribing medications. If cannabis use has started to negatively affect your life or your loved ones are expressing their concern, it may be time to get help. The long-term effects of marijuana can have a significant impact on daily functioning and quality of life. If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to seek treatment.
They have, however, found a correlation between the use of marijuana during brain development and decreased IQ later in life. Therefore, exposure to THC as a child may cause changes in cognition and memory that can last for decades. Whether or not those effects of addiction are reversible, scientists are not certain.
The long-term effects of frequent marijuana use depend on how much marijuana someone consumes over a period. This leads to the person taking marijuana having a reduced ability to focus and recall important information. The length of time marijuana is smoked and in what quantity can lead to memory and concentration becoming impaired.
Short-Term Effects
- Stopping marijuana use can be difficult; if you or a loved one struggle to stop or are experiencing negative effects of marijuana use, marijuana addiction treatment may be required.
- The effect of weed on brain structure and function may also depend somewhat on the strain.
- Many researchers believe that weed does take a toll on those who start heavily consuming weed in adolescence.6 But more research purports the positive effects that weed can have on adults.
- Those who used marijuana had an average reduction of 4 IQ points by early adulthood.
There is little research to suggest that consuming THC edibles is more or less likely to cause any long-term effects on brain function. In one 2017 animal study, researchers compared differences in working memory between adult rats exposed to a synthetic cannabinoid and those exposed to glucose during adolescence. Whether cannabis, or marijuana, kills brain cells remains unknown, and current research studies have yielded conflicting results. This can make it harder to weigh the risks against the potential benefits and recognize when substance use is becoming problematic.
Tips for Using Cannabis Responsibly
If this is an area of concern, it is best to discuss options with a healthcare provider until ongoing research gives us a clearer picture of these and other long-term effects. Many researchers believe that weed does take a toll on those who start heavily consuming weed in adolescence.6 But more research purports the positive effects that weed can have on adults. Hailey Shafir is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in counseling people with mental health and addictive disorders. The researchers found that the rats they exposed to cannabinoids had a significantly better working memory in adulthood than the control rats.
More studies are needed on cannabis use and brain health
They didn’t find any significant differences in IQ decline between the two groups. Genetic factors may also contribute to cognitive decline, as suggested by a longitudinal twin study from 2016. First, it was among the first large, longitudinal (long-term) studies to assess marijuana use and cognitive functioning.
Short-term effects of marijuana abuse on the brain
Over the next decade, researchers will use neuroimaging technology to track brain development from late childhood to early adulthood. Gray matter refers to regions of brain tissue that contain nerve cell bodies. These regions control muscle movement, sensory perception, and executive functions, including self-control and decision making. In one 2016 study, researchers compared changes in the IQ scores of adolescent twins when one used marijuana, and the other did not. Those who used marijuana had an average reduction of 4 IQ points by early adulthood. Keep reading to learn more about what current studies have to say about marijuana’s short- and long-term effects on the brain.
- You need to understand how your body reacts to cannabis to minimize your risk of adverse effects.
- Although you cannot overdose on cannabis, using too much cannabis can be unpleasant at any age.
- This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.
- Long-term cannabis users’ IQs declined by 5.5 points on average from childhood, and there were deficits in learning and processing speed compared to people that did not use cannabis.
- The connection between weed and Alzheimer’s disease is complicated, especially since they both can affect part of the brain responsible for memory.
After prolonged use of synthetic marijuana, brain cell activity is likely to decline with a concurrent increase in negative physiological symptoms like the ones above. Some people who consume cannabis long-term may develop brain fog, lowered motivation, difficulty with learning, or difficulty with attention. Symptoms are typically reversible, though using products with higher THC content may increase risk of developing cognitive symptoms. Long-term and frequent marijuana use probably affects cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning, but more research does marijuana kill brain cells needs to be done to understand how. While the long-term impact of cannabis use is still a subject of debate, if risks are present, using cannabis in moderation is a great way to minimize them. More research needs to be done to fully understand the effects of marijuana on the brain of persistent cannabis users.
Older adults using cannabis should be aware that cannabis may affect them differently.22 Tell your physician if you experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, and be alert to your fall risk. While limited studies suggest that cannabis might increase the risk of psychosis, most agree that there are often pre-existing genetic factors and other variables. If you have a personal or family history that includes any mental disorders, it is best to discuss this with your doctor. Whether you are considering or currently using medical marijuana, following these suggestions can help you achieve your best experience. Remember these guidelines to ensure your cannabis use remains beneficial without compromising brain health. Consumers should speak with their doctor if they have questions or concerns about using cannabis.
The effect of weed on brain structure and function may also depend somewhat on the strain. Higher-potency strains have a stronger effect on the body and brain and may cause more damage with long-term use. Using marijuana can cause damage to brain cells and result in a number of concurrent symptoms throughout the body. Cannabinoids, such as THC, and naturally occurring endocannabinoids may have significant effects on brain function and development. This is because regions of the brain that control memory, learning, motor control, and sensory perception contain high concentrations of CB1 receptors. Consider the potency of the strain you’re using and how the dosage and method of consumption may impact the strength of the side effects.