Marijuana And Memory Issues
Marijuana is a drug that creates quite a bit of controversy, in part because it has been illegal in the United States for many years but now is increasingly becoming accepted within the medical community as a treatment for certain medical conditions like glaucoma and cancer. Many people feel that marijuana should be banned because it is a mind-altering substance that has the potential to be addictive, while others feel it has great medicinal qualities that should allow it to be legal at least for medical purposes.
The issue of whether marijuana should be legal or not calls into question the safety and effects of long-term use. There are lots of strong opinions about the negative effects of marijuana article. One of the primary reported effects associated with marijuana is that it affects memory. How true is this claim?
Chemicals in marijuana cause an interruption in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory, which is why marijuana users may experience periods of memory loss and confusion while high and for some time afterward. However, studies have shown that quitting marijuana soon after becoming a user tends to reverse the effects of the drug on memory loss.
Marijuana And Memory: Long-Term and Short-Term
Marijuana affects memory in the short-term and long-term and though memory faculties sometimes return after marijuana use is stopped, using marijuana consistently over long periods of time may make reduce the chances that memory stores will be reactivated once marijuana use has ceased. More lasting damage to memory occurs in long-term users when marijuana use begins before reaching adulthood, as the brain is still developing during that time.
In the natural process of aging, mental capacities tend to dull over time and some memory loss naturally occurs. Marijuana use speeds up this process and actually destroys or impairs some of the brain cells and functions responsible for memory and mental sharpness.
Even the brain’s ability to create new memories and learn new things is affected. The brain becomes out of sync, and consequently the user may make more mistakes, become more uncoordinated, and have periods of slow, clouded thinking. Since marijuana affects one’s level of concentration and understanding, long-term users there can be problems with using one’s attention long enough to gather, store and recall memories.
So the bottom line is that if you want to improve your chances of maintaining a sharp mind, retaining the ability to learn, creating and retaining memories long into your latter years; it is important to really think about your use of marijuana. For those using it for stress relief, look into natural ways to change your perspective including meditation, exercise, tai-chi or yoga. The perspective changes you get from marijuana can point you to the fact that we often get stuck in our unnecessary inner dialogues. This can be liberating and expanded by studies in eastern psychology, philosophy and spirituality.
It is understandable that some conditions allow marijuana use for treatment, but there are other treatment options for most of those same conditions that can provide equal or better results as marijuana. Consult your physician and/or a nutritionist for alternative treatment methods that can provide relief or a cure to your medical condition with the least amount of side effects.