The studies were rated as being of moderate to good quality in terms of methodology. Of the 12 studies, 10 were conducted in the United States, one in Canada and one in India. Some of the studies did not include information about participants’ ages, but the average age was 41 years among those that did, suggesting that the pooled sample reflected a relatively young population.
Can Medicine Help With CUD?
- Inpatient and outpatient programs provide structured environments where individuals can receive comprehensive care tailored to their needs.
- Over the years, marijuana potency has significantly increased, with the average THC content in confiscated samples reaching more than 15% in 2018 (2).
- Marijuana, often perceived as a relatively harmless substance, has complex effects on the brain that can lead to addiction, especially with regular or heavy use.
- But family ties may also help some people avoid progressing to a state of addiction.
This often persists despite a person knowing they have a dependence or wanting to quit. The chronic relapsing nature of addiction seems to involve underlying neurophysiological changes in reward, stress, and executive function circuits (Koob and Volkow 2016). Here we summarize findings about the effects of chronic cannabis use on these circuits. In healthy people, marijuana is sometimes used as a substitute for other, stronger substances.
Cannabis Addiction and the Brain: a Review
Marijuana is a mind-altering substance derived from the flower of the Cannabis sativa plant. It goes by many names, including weed, cannabis, bud, grass, herb, pot, ganja, and Mary Jane. Collaborating with esteemed organizations like Epiphany Wellness and Ocean Recovery, Amanda has produced valuable and enlightening content that empowers individuals on their path to recovery.
We and our partners process data to provide:
The is marijuana addictive conversation around marijuana use has become more nuanced since the World War II era film “Reefer Madness” portrayed the drug as destructive and dangerous. This classification is something that really grates people who support legalization of marijuana. According to a research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples in 1990 was just under 4 percent. On the other hand, there are studies that have issued warnings on marijuana and heart health as well as using marijuana for morning sickness. A 2017 study reported that adult cancer patients are using marijuana to ease nausea and other symptoms.
- Therefore, hyperactivation by exogenous cannabinoids during development could disrupt the maturation of GABAergic interneurons in the PFC and desynchronize PFC circuits (Caballero and Tseng 2012).
- Emerging research suggests that unlike alcohol, nicotine and opioids, cannabis does not follow a linear relationship between dosage and addiction.
- Research suggests that genetics play a significant role in an individual’s susceptibility to addiction, including marijuana addiction.
- This makes it difficult to know whether cannabis promotes sleep directly, or if it benefits sleep by reducing the effects of other health conditions.
- If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t use medical marijuana unless your doctor says it’s OK.
- People dealing with poor sleep quality may also use cannabis to relieve these symptoms (although in the long term, it’s been found to decrease sleep quality).
- However, the data on the co-use of marijuana and alcohol is inconclusive, and further research is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between these substances.
- This section explores how marijuana addiction affects physical health, mental health, and overall life functioning, shedding light on the seriousness of this condition.
- Of course, this doesn’t mean that you will develop an addiction to marijuana if you experience one or more of these risk factors.
- Cannabis, commonly referred to as marijuana, refers to the dried flowers, seeds, stems, and leaves from the cannabis plant.
- Finally, one of the most consistent neuroimaging findings in addiction is that of dysregulation of frontal cortical regions involved with executive function including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the ACC and the inferior frontal cortex.
The effects of marijuana vary, but tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, can cause feelings of euphoria, changes in sensory perception, and increased appetite. Additionally, people who are pregnant or nursing should avoid using cannabis products that contain THC or CBD. Both cannabinoids may affect the healthy development of a fetus and can be passed from the parent to child through breastmilk.
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