Before I discuss what is currently known about marijuana’s affects on the central nervous system short and long term I want to stress that you always have to weigh the benefits and risks of any medication that you take.  And in the case of marijuana you have to consider what medications you WOULD BE TAKING instead of using cannabis and the risks that they pose as well.   Most of the time cannabis is much safer and effective.

Most people have heard someone say at one time or another “that guy is burnt!”… meaning their brain is pretty much fried and they are not solving any calculus equations anytime soon.   The question becomes: does long term use of cannabis adversely affect the brain.   Short term, while acutely medicated, it is pretty clear that cannabis has an affect on short term memory, attention, coordination, balance, reflexes and hinders higher executive functioning (learning and problem solving).   It is for this reason that patients must be very responsible when medicated.   Researches believe that most of these symptoms are a result of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is that main psychoactive ingredient in the plant.   There are over 60 other cannabinoids that we know of in the plant which also exert their effects on the body. An example is cannabinol which is believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties without the psychoactive affects that THC has.   This is significant as we move forward with therapeutic applications of the plant.

In the long term the research is less clear.   There have been studies that have shown that long term (chronic  daily) heavy users do exhibit some impairment in higher cognitive function (executive functions such as learning and problem solving) but it is difficult to distinguish from the loss of cognitive functioning that occurs naturally with aging.   There have been studies that demonstrated that chronic cannabis users also have a higher incidence of psychiatric comorbidity like anxiety, depression and irritability.    Certainly I have discussed cannabis use with patients who have been medicating for 30 years or more and they do say that if they don’t have access to cannabis they experience increased irritability, mood swings, insomnia and at times depression.   These are considered moderate withdrawal symptoms that some patients can experience.  It is for this reason that we suggest patients take “drug holidays” every few months for about 1-2 weeks to give their bodies a break and chance to “reset” their natural endogenous cannabinoid system.

One of the other questions is if regular heavy use of cannabis affects an individuals drive or motivation.  People describe users having “amotivation syndrome.”   They question whether cannabis affects their ability to reach goals etc.     My personally feeling is that in recreational users this can be the case.    However using cannabis as a medication is completely different.  Patients typically use less psychoactive strains of cannabis and are using much smaller doses.   Most patients just want relief of their symptoms and nothing more.   In these situations I have not found cannabis to affect a patients ability to work or reach goals.   Most get more sleep, are less stressed and have less pain which allows them to be more productive.

Overall I would say that cannabis in therapeutic doses for medicinal purposes poses very few adverse affects to overall patient functioning.  The major organ systems are not affected and the the acute psychiatric affects of the medication are limited.   Long term, patients do much better because 1) they are not dependent on other medications and 2) their day to day quality of life is improved.  I clearly think that the benefits most patients receive outweigh the risks of using cannabis long term.

If you have questions or comments feel free to contact me at any time or come in for an appointment. 877-721-0047 or www.mcsocal.com

We have two full time offices in Irvine and Long Beach California.

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

Long Term Affects of Medical Marijuana on the Brain and Cognitive Function; A discussion is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Did you know that you can medicate with marijuana without smoking it?   Vaporizers were developed by patients who want the advantage of inhaling the medicine (immediate absorption and fast onset of action) without the risks of smoking.   Vaporizers work by heating the plant to temperatures below the point of combustion (approximately 360 degrees)  and evaporating the medically active ingredients off the surface of the leaf.   The plant matter itself is not burned and left intact while all the THC and other cannabinoids are inhaled.   Patients are left with a smoke free vapor to inhale directly into their lungs.   In my practice I recommend using the Easy Vape Digital Hands Free vaporizer.   It is cost effective and very simple to use.

Medical Cannabis of Southern California provides cannabis evaluations for patients in California who qualify under Proposition 215 to use medical marijuana.  With clinics located in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas we see patients across southern California.   Patients can pre-qualify for free from the comfort of their home by visiting our website at www.mcsocal.com  If you would like to make an appointment you can reach our director of clinics at 877-721-0047.

Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headaches; Marijuana is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog