MMJ is the abbreviation for medical marijuana, which is the medical utilization of the naturally occurring whole cannabis plant for therapeutic purposes, the most common of which is the reduction of pain. As more individuals partake of this natural plant in a medicinal fashion, opportunities continue to arise which allow new studies of its effects, […]
brain
Marijuana During Pregnancy?
Many are still concerned about the potential for harm to the developing baby if a mother uses cannabis (marijuana) during pregnancy, and some studies have indicated there is reason for concern. However, other studies have shown no differences between babies exposed to cannabis compared to those who weren’t. Why such conflicting findings? One potential answer […]
Marijuana Doesn’t Decrease Brain Size In MRI Study
Prohibition of cannabis (marijuana) for the last 70 or so years led to many unfounded claims about it’s damaging effects. Claiming that it would “shrink your brain” was one that some of you may have heard. In yet another study, that shrinking brain concept has again been proven to be completely false. Seventy-nine daily users […]
Marijuana Component Reduced Brain Injury
Hypoxia-Ischemia (HI) is a combination of reduced blood flow which cannot support normal organ function combined with less than normal oxygen levels. If this occurs in the brain then long lasting tissue damage and functional impairment can occur. In this study, newborn rats were subjected to HI and one group was administered cannabidiol (CBD), a […]
THC Improved Brain In Rats
Neurogenesis is the growth and development of nerve tissue and is influenced by external factors such as enriched environments. Some researchers postulate that such neurogenesis in the hippocampus region of the brain contributes to improved learning and memory. This study was designed to observe the effect of THC on neurogenesis and the associated cognitive performance […]
Marijuana Did Not Change Brain Structure
As part of the past propaganda surrounding cannabis (marijuana) it was suggested that consumption of this plant would change a persons brain structure, creating alterations that could be seen on it’s surface. In this study, a multi-site data set of 120 controls and 141 cannabis users were examined regarding differences in cortical (surface) structure of […]
Marijuana Component Protected Brain From Damage
Lack of oxygen to the brain is a common scenario in stroke, respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest. Even when blood flow is restored there is often additional damage as inflammation and oxidative stress set in which damages brain neurons. In this study on mouse brain cells, it was found that treating with CBD (a component […]
Marijuana Use Didn’t Alter Working Memory
The purpose of this study was to assess brain function in those who frequently use cannabis (marijuana) at a moderate level with those who do not use it. The users were tested after 1 week of abstaining. The study was small with 10 participants in each group. Functional MRI’s were used for the assessment and […]
Marijuana Does Not Alter Brain Structure
As part of the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, high-resolution T1-weighted MRIs were obtained from 781 youth aged 14–22 years. This sample included 147 cannabis (marijuana) users (109 used 1–2 times per week and 38 used 3 or more times per week) and 634 cannabis non-users. Several structural neuroimaging measures were examined, established procedures for stringent quality […]
Low Dose THC Could Restore Elderly Cognitive Function
There seems to be substantial evidence that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in the homeostatic balance that controls aging. The ECS activity declines with age, and CB1 receptors show diminished activity in the brains of older animals. This study demonstrated that chronic low doses of THC reversed the age-related decline in cognitive performance of […]