On November 10, 2014, researchers at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas stated that the effects of chronic marijuana use effects on the brain may depend on age of first use and duration of use. In a paper publushed today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers for the first time comprehensively describes abnormailites in brain function due to excessive marijuana use. Findings through MRI techniques show chronic marijuana users have smaller brain volume in to the orbitofrontal cortex, a part of the brain commonly associated with additcition. The team studied 62 non-users and 48 adult marijuana users where on average the marijuana users consumed the drug three times per day. Cognitive tests show that chronic marijuana users had lower IQ compared to age-and-gender-matched controls. Ultimately it was concluded that although there was increased connectivity both structural and functional, eventually; however, the structural and connectivity of the brain starts degrading with prolonged marijuana use, stated by Dr. Sina Aslan, founder and president of Advance MRI, LLC and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Additionally, tests reveal that early onset marijuana users induce a greater structural and functional conectivity. After approximately six to eight years of continued chronic use, brain connectivity begins to decline, and can be the result of why marijuana users claim to be "doing just fine." It is still not known is these effects of marijuana use is a direct result or a predisposing factor.
I found this article to be quite interesting and informative. The topic of the effects marijuana has on the brain is unknown and is a reoccurring health topic in society. With increase of marijuana users, the effects she be further investigated and presented to the public.
Main article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141110161123.htm
I know a lot of people who use marijuana regularly. Everyone I know who smokes tries to convince me that marijuana has no affect on their bodies, but this study shows otherwise. I guess once in a blue moon can't hurt you, but obviously people need to learn more about marijuana and its potential harmful effects.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this study came out. A lot of people I know have the misconception that marijuana is harmless. Just because the effects marijuana has on the brain may not be as familiar as some other drugs, does not mean negative effects do not exist. This article is proof that damage does occur to the body as a consequence of excessive marijuana use. Hopefully more researchers will look into the negative effects of marijuana and familiarize the public with them. Marijuana is still a drug and non-medical use of it can still be dangerous.
ReplyDeleteMany people are ignorant on the subject of Marijuana, myself included. This article clarifies misconceptions I had on the effects of marijuana and its effect on the brain. I believe instead of banning marijuana, the society should be more educated to its side effects and how damaging it could be to the human body. In addition, there is medical value in this plant and it would be a shame to eradicate it completely.
ReplyDeleteLike Jazzmen, I'm also glad this study came out and was published. A lot of my friends still view marijuana as a harmless, fun drug. While it may not stop everyone from using it recreationally, it can at least warn them of the future consequences they may face. Like Ziwei said, it would be a shame to ban it completely because of it's medical value. However, I believe that knowing what it can do to someone should have an affect on the recreational aspect of it.
ReplyDelete