“The University of Texas just published their research into the long-term effects of marijuana
With a drug war against marijuana still raging in more countries than not, the question of how long-term marijuana use effects the human brain is a pivotal question in its legalization…
…Luckily, the debate can finally move out from the realm of opinion into scientific evidence as researchers just published their research into the long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
Among the conclusions cited:
“….Dispels the dying myth that marijuana use lowers IQ.
…Provides evidence re marijuana’s potential role in fighting Alzheimer’s.
….Revealed that earlier onset of regular marijuana use leads to greater structural and functional connectivity in the brain.
…Found reduced gray matter in the OFC (orbitofrontalcortex) in long-term users (a brain region associated with addiction). It is unclear whether this region is smaller in regular users (explaining their regular use) or if the use contributed to structural brain changes.
…cannabinoids were also recently shown [in another study] to [generally] promote brain cell growth (neurogensis) rather than destroy it.”
Finally, the article calls for further research to reconcile the neurogenesis promotion with the smaller OFC in the brains of regular users…
Now (with apologies to the Wizard of Oz) if some of the most ill-informed (and deliberately misinforming) medicinal cannabis opponents only USED their brains more effectively, we’d be on a shorter road to safe, legal affordable access…
#MMJ #Research #Neurology #Brain #UTpol #FactsMatter #TRUCE
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See full article – Marijuana’s Long Term Effects on the Brain Finally Revealed
