How exactly does marijuana damage brain cells?

Question

I've heard that THC can cause permanent damage to brain cells. I've also heard this reffered to anti drug propaganda. Another theory i've read is that temporary effects reduce intelligence but long term results are not affected. If Marijuana does cause permanent brain damage how does it do so? How exactly does it kill the cell?

Answer 1

Usually, there is little to no money available to properly research how something that is poisonous does harm unless it is common enough that an antidote is being sought. Herbal products usually have dozens of not hundreds of different chemical components, so tracking down which does what and how is far less important to the scientific community than establishing the fact the yes, if definitely causes brain damage.

Definitely in the short term. Possibly in the long term for in developing brains. - Although there is a chicken and egg problem. Is this person stupid because they smoked so much weed, or did they smoke so much weed it made them stupid?

In any case, I encourage you and every one you know to never risk getting stupid.

Cause Ron White is correct - You can't fix stupid,

Answer 2

Morphological changes have been observed in areas where the CB1 receptor (the receptor in the brain that THC binds) is localized including the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, striatum, amygdala, insula, hippocampus, and cerebellum. One study by Battistella et al. found reductions in brain volume in some of these areas, but more so in regular users compared to occasional users. However, the data is mixed, and how reductions (or increases, for that matter) affect brain function and organization is unclear.

It seems more research needs to be done. Regardless, however, moderation is recommended for anything you put into your body...

Answer 3

I, personally, have been conducting research on TCH and other cannabinoids for more than a decade. Anything can damage neurons, given in sufficient quantities. THC is no exception, however, in normal human doses, it does not damage neurons.

Answer 4

It doesn't.

Multiple studies have shown that there are no permanent negative effects to the brains of *adult* marijuana users. Additionally, the few studies that have shown a negative effect were riddled with so many flaws that the findings are basically worthless. There has been no research that was able to demonstrate that marijuana literally kills brain cells.

Please keep in mind that this applies to adults only. There is evidence that using marijuana while the brain is still developing can alter the development.