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Huberman Lab
The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
Oct 3, 2022
02:38:46
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Quick takeaways
- Cannabis strains, containing different ratios of THC and CBD, produce diverse effects on mood and physiological functions.
- Cannabis can influence brain activation, creativity, and relaxation by binding to different brain regions through its psychoactive compounds.
- Chronic cannabis use can affect speech patterns, causing alterations in vocal effort, intensity, and verbal timing.
- Individual reactions to cannabis, including its impact on sexual desire and arousal, vary widely.
- Cannabis use can alter hormone levels, with potential effects on sexual function and overall hormonal balance.
- The complexity of studying cannabis, its various forms, and individual responses makes it challenging to conduct comprehensive research on its effects and implications.
Deep dives
Overview of Cannabis Compounds
Cannabis contains various compounds like THC and CBD, each with different effects on the brain and body. THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, while CBD is known for its medicinal uses. Other compounds like CBN are also present in cannabis.
Different Types of Cannabis Strains
There are different strains of cannabis, including sativa, indica, and hybrid strains. Sativa strains tend to have more stimulating effects, while indica strains are more relaxing. Hybrid strains are a combination of sativa and indica. Each strain has different ratios of THC to CBD, which can influence their effects.
The Role of Endogenous Cannabinoids
Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids called anandamide (AEA) and arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG). These endogenous cannabinoids interact with our cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. THC and CBD from cannabis bind to these receptors, producing various effects on mood, perception, and physiological functions.
Effects of Cannabis Consumption
When cannabis is consumed, THC and CBD quickly enter the bloodstream, reaching peak concentrations within 30-60 minutes. The effects of cannabis can last for several hours. Sativa strains tend to elevate mood, increase focus, and energize, while indica strains promote relaxation and sedative effects. The psychoactive compounds in cannabis can also impact memory, creativity, and appetite.
Impact of Cannabis on Brain Activation and Creativity
Cannabis, specifically THC and CBD, can influence brain activation and creativity. THC and CBD bind to CB1 receptors in different brain regions, causing varying effects. In the prefrontal cortex, cannabis increases mood, alertness, and focus, while in the amygdala, it decreases stress and threat detection. This seesaw effect allows cannabis users to experience heightened focus, elevated mood, and relaxation. However, individual reactions to cannabis can vary depending on dosage, pre-existing neural circuitry, and propensity for anxiety. Moreover, there is no reliable way to predict a person's response to cannabis based on factors such as height, eye color, or anxiety levels.
Impact of Cannabis on Speech
Chronic cannabis use can alter patterns of speech, including vocal effort, intensity, and verbal timing. Cannabis impacts motor circuitry in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, which in turn affects speech. People who use cannabis regularly may exhibit less inflection, slower speech, and altered pronunciation of words. These effects are observed regardless of whether the strain used is sativa or indica. However, it is important to note that not all cannabis users will experience these speech changes, as individual responses can vary.
Effects of Cannabis on Sexual Desire and Arousal
The impact of cannabis on sexual desire and arousal depends on individual reactions. Some individuals experience increased sexual arousal and desire when under the influence of cannabis, while others experience decreased sexual desire or even suppression of arousal. Research suggests that elevated levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in sexual function, may be linked to the diminished sexual response in some cannabis users. However, this response is not universal, and there are individuals who do not experience changes in prolactin levels or sexual arousal after using cannabis. Additionally, chronic cannabis use, particularly smoking, may increase prolactin levels and affect sexual function.
Effects of Cannabis on Hormones
Cannabis use can affect hormone levels, including prolactin and testosterone. Smoking cannabis more than twice a week is associated with an increase in prolactin, which in turn reduces dopamine levels. This can potentially impact sexual arousal and desire, as dopamine is involved in the sexual arousal process. The effects of cannabis on testosterone levels are more controversial, with some studies suggesting a decrease in testosterone in both males and females, while others indicate no significant changes. The impact of cannabis on hormones may vary depending on the method of consumption (smoking or edible) and whether cannabis use is chronic or acute.
The Challenges of Studying Cannabis
Studying the effects of cannabis is challenging due to various factors, such as the different forms and methods of consumption. It is difficult to accurately measure and control the amount and frequency of cannabis use in individuals. Additionally, regular users and acute users have different experiences and react differently to cannabis due to tolerance and varying effects on heart rate and blood pressure. These complexities make it challenging to conduct nuanced studies on cannabis and its derivatives, resulting in limited data on specific strains, ratios of CBD and THC, and sativa versus indica.
Hormonal Effects of Cannabis
Chronic cannabis use has shown hormonal effects, increasing prolactin and estrogen levels while reducing testosterone levels in both men and women. Estrogen and prolactin elevation may lead to gynecomastia in males and increased breast size in females. Cannabis use can also disrupt cortisol levels, increasing or decreasing cortisol depending on the individual. Chronic cannabis use has been associated with the inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, leading to reduced testosterone levels and sperm production in males and impaired ovarian function and menstrual health in females. There is a significant impact on hormone regulation and fertility with chronic cannabis use.
Negative Health Effects of Cannabis Use
Cannabis use, especially in smoking or vaping forms, has detrimental effects on lung health and endothelial cells, which affect blood vessels and overall cardiovascular health. Smoking and vaping, regardless of the substance being used, have been linked to decreased cognitive capacity, increased risk of strokes, lung function impairment, peripheral neuropathies, and sexual dysfunction. Additionally, cannabis use during pregnancy has alarming statistics, with 15% of pregnant mothers reporting cannabis use. This poses major risks to fetal and child development due to the integral role of cannabinoid receptors in neural development. Chronic cannabis use in young individuals between 14 and 25 years old is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and a higher risk of developing psychosis or major psychiatric disorders later in life. Moreover, adolescent cannabis use leads to accelerated thinning of the prefrontal cortex, impacting executive functions and cognitive processes essential for healthy brain development.
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In this episode, I discuss cannabis (aka marijuana), including the biological mechanisms underlying its effects on the mind and body, its known medical applications, its impact on libido, creativity, hunger, hormones and more. I also cover the known adverse health consequences of chronic and even acute (one-time) use and the factors that determine if cannabis is helpful or harmful. Additionally, I detail how the various strains of cannabis: sativa, indica and hybrid strains, can produce such divergent effects depending on the strain type, THC-to-CBD ratio, total dosage, and frequency of use. I review why cannabis can impact speech patterns and one’s propensity to develop anxiety/depression during and after use and, in some individuals, paranoia. As the legal landscape for cannabis is rapidly evolving, this episode should interest a wide audience, including former/current cannabis users, those in the medical, sports, law enforcement, and educational communities and, of course, children, teenagers, and parents.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) Cannabis (Marijuana)
(00:005:02) Sponsor: LMNT
(00:07:03) Tool: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), Sleep & Anxiety
(00:15:08) Cannabis Strains, Psychoactive Compounds: THC & CBD
(00:19:34) Sativa vs. Indica, Stimulant vs. Relaxation Effects
(00:25:55) Hybrid Cannabis Strains, Type 1, 2 & 3 Strains
(00:31:56) Naturally Occurring Receptors: Nicotinic & Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1)
(00:35:18) Sponsor: AG1
(00:40:35) THC, CBD vs. Endogenous Cannabinoids, Dependence
(00:43:14) Endogenous Cannabinoids, Cannabinoid Receptors & Nervous System Function
(00:53:07) Biological Effects of Cannabis
(00:56:29) Cannabis Sativa & Subjective Effects: Mood, Stress, Alertness, Paranoia
(01:04:58) Cannabis Indica & Subjective Effects, Memory, Dosage
(01:09:41) Brain Areas Affected by THC & CBD, Side Effects
(01:16:08) Creativity: Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking & Dopamine
(01:26:41) Does Cannabis Increase Creativity?
(01:35:08) Chronic Cannabis Use & Changes in Speech Patterns
(01:46:46) Cannabis & Libido, Dopamine & Prolactin
(01:56:55) Cannabis & Hormones: Prolactin, Testosterone, Estrogen & Fertility
(02:06:53) Smoking/Vaping Tobacco or Cannabis & Negative Health Consequences
(02:10:06) Avoiding Cannabis During Pregnancy/Breastfeeding, Fetal Neural Development
(02:18:13) Negative Health Consequences of Cannabis, Anxiety & Depression, Tolerance
(02:25:57) Cannabis Use & Adolescence/Young Adulthood, Predisposition to Psychosis
(02:34:36) Adolescent Cannabis Use: Brain Development & Mental Health Disorders
(02:41:44) Cannabis & Pain Management, Divergent Effects of Cannabis
(02:44:54) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Huberman Lab Premium, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
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