The hippocampus is a component of the brain associated with long term memory and spatial navigation. There has been ongoing debate regarding the effect of cannabis (marijuana) on hippocampal volume, and whether or not earlier age initiation of use, or higher doses of marijuana have any effect on its size.
This study matched 20 heavy cannabis users (average age of 21 years) with 23 non-cannabis using healthy controls. The cannabis users had begun at about 16 years of age and reported using about 5 times weekly. All were subjected to a comprehensive psychological assessment and MRI at the baseline, and at the follow up period averaging 39 months later.
Compared to controls, the marijuana users did not demonstrate any brain volume alterations at the baseline or at the follow up period. This is good news for medical marijuana users who prefer nature’s medicinal plant.
