What effects does cannabis have on the brain?
For those of you who are not interested in sifting through the many scientific studies that explain exactly how cannabis compounds interact with our bodies, we have put together a general summary that explains at a very basic level how cannabis interacts with the human brain.
It's all about receptors
The compounds in cannabis are able to interact with our bodiesvia the endocannabinoid system. This is a system of receptors in our bodies that are specifically designed to bind with cannabinoids such as those found in cannabis. Apart from some similar chemicals that we produce naturally, cannabis is the only major source that humans have found that contains cannabinoids - hence the name endocannabinoid system.
We all have this system - it's as if we evolved specifically to use cannabis!
Although we focus on the brain, the endocannabinoid system is distributed throughout the body and its receptors are present almost everywhere in the central nervous system. This explains why the different cannabinoids in cannabis have different effects in the body. The receptors are divided into two different categories: CB1 receptors, which are found in the brain, and CB2 receptors, which are found in the rest of the body.
Cannabis: from the blood to the brain
Now that we've looked at how cannabis compounds interact with the brain, it's time to look at what it actually does. Let's say the user smokes it - when they inhale the smoke, cannabinoids such as THC or CBD pass through the lungs directly into the bloodstream. From there, they are passed on to the brain, where the cannabinoids begin to bind to receptors.
A corrosive mood: it's all a question of the mind
One of the most well-known effects of cannabis on the brain is the illusion of hunger, known as 'gluttony'. THC binds to CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that regulates appetite. This causes the brain to send signals telling the body that it is hungry and needs more food. The thing is, the body isn't actually hungrier or needing more food than usual - it's just cannabinoids tricking your mind into thinking it is. While this may account for an extra pound or two in a normal, healthy person, it's an extremely good thing for those trying to gain weight, such as those suffering from a lack of appetite due to chemotherapy or an eating disorder.
Time: a whole life in the blink of an eye
Another effect of cannabis on the brain is time distortion. As many of us have experienced first-hand, cannabis can have a stimulating effect on the brain. This is because cannabis affects the dopamine system in the brain. This chemical is one of the main reasons why smoking cannabis is so pleasurable, but it also makes events seem faster than they actually are. The combined effect of cannabis on short-term memory (see below) can make hours seem like minutes and minutes seem like hours.
Memory: Did it really happen?
The last major effect of cannabis on the brain is its ability to disrupt and erase memory. Don't worry, contrary to popular belief, cannabis use does not permanently destroy memory, but it can severely impair it during the time a person is under its influence.
This is because the hippocampus - the area of the brain responsible for short-term memory - has a very high concentration of CB1 receptors. Whilst this is not the long-term effect of cannabis use, as function is restored when the effects wear off, it is one way to show how some strains, like Amnesia Haze, got their names!
Everything together helps the human being
Whilst individually these effects may seem desirable, collectively they have great potential to help those in need. They also go a long way to explaining why cannabis use makes people feel good.
Of course, we haven't mentioned how cannabis affects the body, but looking at how cannabis interacts with the brain can provide a lot of information about its potential.
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