Marijuana's effect on your Brain
Heavy marijuana use can negatively affect one’s mental capacity. When THC accumulates in high concentrations and for long periods of time in the brain, studies show that it can cause memory and learning difficulties. In addition, long-term marijuana use has been associated with distorted perception, problem solving difficulties, and loss of coordination. Some individuals who have chronically used marijuana show little interest in school, work, or other daily activities and appear detached from reality. Some researchers have suggested that heavy use of marijuana over time is responsible for this “amotivational syndrome” – a deadened response to stimulation.
Can people become addicted to marijuana?
Animals have displayed signs of physical withdrawal after being administered extremely high doses of THC and then having the drug abruptly stopped. Human studies have further demonstrated that chronic users experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and increased irritability upon cessation of use. While symptoms are less severe than those associated with alcohol or opiates, they still have impact on the individual user. Finally, a notable amount of persons entering drug treatment have reported marijuana as their primary drug of use. This suggests that some individuals may become psychologically dependent upon marijuana.