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 the brain. Specifically analyzed was the thickness, surface area, and the folding of the brain surface.
Comparisons were made between cannabis users and non-users, cannabis dependence vs. non-dependence vs. non-use, and early onset use vs. late onset of use vs. non-use.
Brain structure was not affected by use, age of onset of use, dependence use, regular use, or even by problematic use. The authors stated: “Careful reevaluation of the evidence on cannabis-related harm will be necessary to address concerns surrounding the long-term effects of cannabis use and inform policies in a changing cannabis regulation climate.”
In other words, not everything you may have heard in the past was true about cannabis and it’s effects on the brain.
