Marijuana is a complex molecule that contains over 400 cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are the chemicals which give marijuana its ability to make a
user feel high. THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main active
ingredient in the marijuana plant. THC is a cannabinoid.A chemical called
anandamide isone of the natural cannabinoids in the brain. THC mimics the
actions of anandamide. THC binds with the cannabinoid receptors making
the brain think it is naturally producing anadamide. It tricks the brain!
Long-term use of marijuana can clog the pathways that chemicals cross
(synapses) and slow/stop production of endorphins, or "feel good"
chemicals, that the brain naturally produces. Below are a list of areas
in the brain that are affected by marijuana use:Cannabinoid receptors are
abundant in:Cerebellum-------body movement/coordinationHippocampus-----
learning/memoryCerebral Cortex----higher cognitive functionsNucleus
Accumbens-----reward centerBasal Ganglia----(unconscious) movement
controlCannabinoid receptors are moderate in:Hypothalamus----body
housekeeping functions (body temp, salt, water, sugar)Amygdala----
emotional response/fear/flight or fightSpinal Cord----peripheral
sensation/painBrain Stem----sleep and arousal, motor controlCentral Gray-
---analgesia/pain controlNucleus of solitary tract----visceral sensation,
nausea/vomitingStill not sure why this a problem? Imagine that you are a
person who smokes marijuana on a daily basis. All of the above noted
areas of your brain are being affected every day. That means that your
short-term memory is not always useful (eg. how often do you forget where
you left your keys?) and your ability to follow directions, especially
complicated ones, is inhibited. The user may need to be reminded of what
was said or may need to write things down to remember the instructions.
You may notice that you are not as coordinated as you once were. This may
be more apparent to others than to the individual him or
herself.Marijuana can also cause a person to feel fatigue, be tired or
have insomnia because of its affect on the brain stem. Additionally, your
response time is slowed and can cause problems if you are operating
machinery. There have been studies conducted in several countries that
show that a large percentage of car accidents involved individuals who
were under the influence of marijuana.When a person first smokes, he or
she feels a sense of relaxation or euphoria. Once that initial sensation
is gone, depressed mood is often felt, enticing the person to smoke
again. There have been many studies conducted that link marijuana use to
symptoms of depression and even psychosis.All of marijuana's effects on
the brain are not negative, there are some positive things it can do for
a person. It can help to regulate pain, as it acts as a blocker to the
pain receptor sites. Marijuana can help decrease symptoms of nausea or
vomiting that may accompany illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS and
increase the appetite of a person with such an illness. Symptoms of
anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder can also be managed with
marijuana. The affect the substance has on the amygdala causes an ability
to relax and be less reactive to things that normally cause fear or
discomfort to a person with these disorders. Remember that self-
medicating with marijuana is not a good idea. If you are ill and believe
that medical marijuana could help you, seek the advice of a
physician.Overall, long-term, heavy use of marijuana has many negative
side-effects on the brain. There are some medical uses for the substance,
however, that can be beneficial if monitored by a physician. Before
trying a substance such as marijuana it is a good idea to know the
potential affects it will have on your brain so that you may make an
informed decision and decide if you are willing to take the risks
involved.