Consuming cannabis regularly changes the brain structure, according to a new scientific study presented in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Indeed, the psychotropic substance of cannabis, THC would reduce the volume of gray matter in the brain, but increase the connection between neurons.
Researchers at the universities of Texas and New Mexico compared by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) the brain structure and neurological connections of 48 participants who used cannabis and 62 who did not smoke. Scientists also assessed the type of consumption, IQ and socio-psychological disorders of the participants through questionnaires.
Chronic cannabis use decreases the volume of gray matter in the brain
The results of the study revealed that the volume of the orbitofrontal cortex (the key region of the brain for decision-making, the reward system and addictive behaviors) of smokers was less bulky than that of others. And that these changes were correlated with the age of the first joint and the duration of cannabis use.
The researchers also observed that the connection between the neurons of the smokers was more important than the others.
“The cannabis use leads to neuronal alterations which are modulated according to the age of onset and the duration of use. Overall, these results suggest chronic drinking generate complex neuroadaptive processes. Indeed, this “over connectivity” between neurons would be a way for the brain to compensate for the poor performance of the smaller gray matter “explains Francesca M. Filbeya, researcher at the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas, and co-author of the study.
“But more studies are needed to determine whether these changes are permanent or whether prolonged abstinence from marijuana use can restore balance to the brain,” concludes Francesca M. Filbeya.
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