What Does Weed Do To Your Brain?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects. It acts much like the cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the body. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that interacts with receptors in the brain and body to create various effects. There exist dozens, and potentially more than 100, cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, but THC is most widely known among these due to its abundance and psychoactive attributes.THC’s chemical structure is similar to the brain chemical anandamide. The similarity in structure allows the body to recognize THC and to alter normal brain communication.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) adds psychoactive (mind-altering) properties that target the central nervous system and alters the brain's ability to communicate between neurons, which is the body's information processing system. It affects the brain regions of the cerebellum, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, nucleus accumbens, and basal ganglia. THC also moderately affects the hypothalamus, amygdala, and brain-stem.
Parts of the Brain Highly Affected by THC
The THC attaches to naturally produced cannabinoid receptors in the brain and changes how these receptors process information. The natural regulating mechanisms become blocked and produce an overflow of chemicals, causing the disruptions of regular brain functioning. Areas highly affected by the THC include the cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for movement, coordination, balance and body control. The cognitive system, including the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, are areas responsible for learning, memory, and thinking. Cognitive functions are overloaded by THC and create lapses in the thought process, time delay and loss of memory. Research further indicates that there are long-term effects on these areas of the brain when it is used on a regular basis over time.
Parts of the Brain Moderately Affected by THC
Use of substances with THC alters emotions, response time, arousal and perceptions of pain. Depending on the quantity used, the THC can modify the hypothalamus' ability to regulate body functions such as temperature and reproductive function. The amygdala is the brain region responsible for emotional response; when someone is intoxicated on substances with THC, this area of the brain tends to show slow or blunted reactions to situations that might normally produce fear or excitability. Pain receptors in the brain are also changed with THC use. In many cases, this could be perceived as a positive function. However, it could also be unhealthy as the body will not respond to pain as it should in order to withdraw from the pain- stimulating source.
Brain Neurotransmitters Affected by THC
The cannabinoid receptors are activated by neurotransmitters in the brain. The naturally occurring cannabinoids referred to as endocannabinoid ligands include anandamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, N-arachidonoyl-dopamine, and virohamine. These cannabinoids are all similar in chemical makeup to the active ingredient in THC. However, when paired with THC the natural neurotransmitters do not function in the same capacity and are unable to provide the correct information to the different brain regions in order for the body to respond in a normal manner to brain commands. The effect of using substances with THC on the brain is a complex yet significant process that ultimately alters how the brain and body will function for a person over time.
