There are plenty of people who swear by cannabis as a way to help relieve their stress. Some say that it is the perfect elixir to fight depression, while others claim it is a cure for apathy and laziness.
In fact, the medical community has conducted a number of studies on the subject. Regardless of your beliefs, though, it’s important to know what the scientific evidence is on the matter before relying on the hype. The following article offers a quick overview of the effects of marijuana on various systems in the body, including the brain.
Dopamine
When a person is smoking marijuana, it changes their brain chemistry. This can alter motivation and make it difficult to perform tasks. However, the effects of cannabis may be reversible. It is important to know that stopping the habit can return you to normal levels of dopamine.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in reward-motivated behavior. It plays a part in impulsive behavior and attention. A study suggests that the presence of dopamine in the brain affects the way a person performs tasks.
The research team at Vanderbilt University tested 25 individuals. They found that those who used cannabis regularly tended to be apathetic. In addition, regular users had lower levels of dopamine than non-users.
Researchers scanned the participants’ brains using PET scans. Using a positron emission tomography scanner, researchers were able to detect dopamine activity in the striatum, the region of the brain associated with impulsive behaviour.
These findings suggest that cannabis users are at an increased risk for mental health problems. But scientists still don’t know why cannabis causes psychosis.
Some studies have also suggested that people who use marijuana regularly are prone to apathy and lack motivation. Other studies haven’t detected any differences between users and non-users.
Researchers are now trying to establish a link between dopamine and cannabis addiction. Specifically, they are looking at the effects of long-term use and how this affects the neurotransmitter.
Apathy
A recent study conducted at King’s College London suggests that weed may not be the cause of laziness. The results may surprise those fans of the hit comedy series “Cheech and Chong”.
One of the most common stereotypes associated with cannabis use is that it makes you lazy. This stereotype is based on anecdotal evidence but is not entirely accurate.
The stoner fable has persisted for decades. It is based on a misunderstanding of how cannabis works. There are many myths and rumors surrounding the herb. However, a new study has debunked the most common.
Despite the countless false claims and myths about marijuana, it is now widely accepted that the herb does not make you lazy. Depending on your personal circumstances, however, it could have an impact.
Several studies have found that cannabis can have a sedating effect. In addition, some users report experiencing short-term euphoria, a feeling that lasts for several hours. Although these effects aren’t permanent changes, they may affect your motivation.
Some users also experience an increase in physical activity. These effects are often attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb.
However, if you’re worried about putting your body through too much strain, you may want to try less of the drug. If you’re still concerned, you can start with smaller doses until you learn more.
Anhedonia
Anhedonia is a condition defined by a lack of interest or pleasure in things. It can be caused by a number of factors, including marijuana use. Using marijuana can enhance your mood and make you feel creative. But it also can cause people to be lethargic and demotivated.
Adolescents, who are considered more likely to abuse cannabis than adults, also have higher rates of apathy. The study found that frequent cannabis users were not more likely to be apathetic than non-users.
Researchers looked at a number of factors, such as the frequency of cannabis use, age, and the mechanism of action. They found that frequent users did not suffer more from anhedonia. In fact, the regular users had lower levels of anhedonia than the control group. This might be a result of the way the substance interacts with the brain.
Another study looked at the effects of cannabis on pleasure. Participants were asked to perform simple tasks and rate their enjoyment of the reward. Some rewards included a PS1 coin or a piece of candy. Others included a chance to hear their favorite song. The participants would receive points for completing each task.
One of the most common misconceptions about cannabis use is that it makes people lazy. But a new study has found that, contrary to popular belief, it does not.
Laziness
You might have heard the old adage, “Marijuana makes you lazy”. While this is an adage that’s been around for decades, it’s not entirely true.
In fact, smoking weed actually has relaxing and calming effects. It can help people sleep better and feel more relaxed. However, it can also be a source of apathy and a lack of motivation.
If you are worried that you may become lazy after using marijuana, you should start with smaller doses. Try to keep track of your energy levels, your motivation, and other objective markers of your mood. These notes can be shared with your doctor and can be used to help you monitor your treatment.
A recent study looked at whether or not cannabis had any laziness-inducing effects. The researchers asked cannabis users and non-users to complete an Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task. They gave the participants a choice between a hard and easy challenge. When given the choice, participants chose the high-effort option almost half the time.
Even though the results did not prove that cannabis made users lazy, the study did prove that it’s not the best choice. For example, the study found that people who took the placebo version were less likely to choose the high-effort option.
Despite the study’s findings, it’s still possible that your cannabis use has an effect on your anhedonia, a condition where you don’t feel pleasure. This could be caused by other factors, such as a medical condition, that can prevent you from accomplishing your goals.
Effects on learning, memory, and attention
The effects of cannabis on learning, memory, and attention vary by type, dose, and form of administration. Acute exposure to cannabis intoxication produces a reduction in memory and learning, and it may persist for weeks after abstinence.
Studies have shown that frequent users of cannabis have thinner frontal cortices, which are involved in processing memory functions. However, it is unclear how long these impairments remain in heavy users.
Previous studies suggest that CBD counteracts some of the cognitive and memory impairments of THC. In a small sample of regular cannabis users, the use of high-CBD cannabis led to improved recognition memory for words.
Researchers conducted an experiment to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile verbal recognition memory task. They recruited 32 subjects from the Boulder-Denver Metro area. Participants used cannabis flower, concentrate, or a THC + CBD product for three days. On the last day, they were asked to use an assigned strain.
Participants completed a recognition memory task before and after acute cannabis administration. Results were analyzed using a mixed-design analysis of variance. There was no significant interaction between session and strain, although there were posttest hit rate effects.
THC + CBD and THC-only products did not show any memory accuracy decrements. Although the blood levels of THC and CBD showed no correlation with memory performance, memory accuracy declined as the THC blood levels increased.
Effects of different strains
While it is possible to feel lazy from marijuana, there are also numerous studies that show cannabis has a number of positive effects. One of these is that it helps improve productivity and can boost athletic abilities.
Some of the negative effects that cannabis has on the body are sedation and fatigue. If you are concerned about becoming lazy from marijuana, try cutting back on your intake or trying smaller doses until you learn more about the specific effects.
There are a number of different strains of cannabis, all of which have different amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes. Learning about these compounds will help you predict what your particular strain will do.
Sativa-dominant strains contain higher levels of THC than Indica-dominant strains, but they may also have more enlivening terpenes. The Entourage Effect is a combination of terpenes that contribute to a specific strain’s high.
Indica cannabis strains can relax the mind and body. These types of flowers are also known to reduce anxiety and muscle spasms. They can also relieve chronic pain.
Lazy Train, an Indica-leaning hybrid, has several positive medical benefits. Its sedating and relaxing effects may alleviate insomnia. However, if you are not used to smoking THC, this is not the strain for you.
You may want to consider purchasing an edible to get the full effect. Unlike smoke, edibles are discreet and will take longer to affect you.
