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A new study attempted to link marijuana with long-term losses in brain function and even a reduction in IQ. But the study failed to definitively prove that marijuana causes a lower IQ or any type of mental health problems, but did raise some interesting questions and will lead to future studies.
There are a lot of stereotypes about marijuana, but many have yet to be proven. The Marijuana Policy Project is a group to promote safe and legal use of the drug, and they have said that most stereotypes of marijuana use in the past have been attempts at fear mongering. They're now running an ad campaign to try and teach first-time users and others about safe use of medical-grade marijuana that is legal in states like Colorado. Even still, there are some negative health effects that come with prolonged drug use.
"The biggest studies that are definitive for brain health is pregnant mothers smoking [marijuana] having adverse effects on brain development in children," said Dr. Kelly Nelson, Family Medicine Specialist at UHC.
"It's an irritant to the lungs and can cause frequent chest illnesses and heightens your risk of lung infections," Dr. Nelson added.
He did also say that there are no definitive studies linking it to lung cancer, but that it is possible.
The study found that prolonged use of marijuana could impair decision making by removing gray matter from the orbitofrontal cortex. It did also find that the prolonged use led to increased brain connectivity, which improves adaptive learning and the ability to make associations.
There are a lot of stereotypes about marijuana, but many have yet to be proven. The Marijuana Policy Project is a group to promote safe and legal use of the drug, and they have said that most stereotypes of marijuana use in the past have been attempts at fear mongering. They're now running an ad campaign to try and teach first-time users and others about safe use of medical-grade marijuana that is legal in states like Colorado. Even still, there are some negative health effects that come with prolonged drug use.
"The biggest studies that are definitive for brain health is pregnant mothers smoking [marijuana] having adverse effects on brain development in children," said Dr. Kelly Nelson, Family Medicine Specialist at UHC.
"It's an irritant to the lungs and can cause frequent chest illnesses and heightens your risk of lung infections," Dr. Nelson added.
He did also say that there are no definitive studies linking it to lung cancer, but that it is possible.
The study found that prolonged use of marijuana could impair decision making by removing gray matter from the orbitofrontal cortex. It did also find that the prolonged use led to increased brain connectivity, which improves adaptive learning and the ability to make associations.
