The Long Term Effects of Weed

It’s been a hot topic of debate.

What are the long term effects of weed?

A lot of the research on the subject says things aren’t 100% conclusive.

But here’s some of what we found.

According to a study out of the Center for Brain Health at The University of Texas at Dallas, regular weed smokers have shrunken brains.

“Scientists there found that study participants who smoked pot at least three times a day had smaller orbitofrontal cortexes (OFC), the portion of the brain known as the "reward center" and one vital to the cognitive processes of decision-making.”

Strangely, while the MRI scans of regular marijuana users were found with smaller orbitofrontal cortexes, they also displayed a higher level of "connectivity," as if the brain had found a way to compensate for the OFC’s diminished size.

This unique adaptation might explain why chronic pot smokers "seem to be doing just fine," despite their smaller OFC brain volumes. However, the study found that the benefits of increased connectivity begin to decline after six to eight years of chronic marijuana smoking.

We’re not doctors, but sounds like you might get six to eight years of a grace period before smoking does real damage.

However, other studies also linked marijuana use to declines in IQ, especially when use starts in adolescence and leads to persistent cannabis use disorder into adulthood.

Finally, a Harvard study claimed that even less regular marijuana use (a few times a week) could have significant effects on the brain’s frontal lobe.

Bottom line: careful with the weed bro!

P.S. Grab a fresh Daily Dropout shirt!