Marijuana

How does marijuana affect the brain?

The human brain is a complex organ that is responsible for other parts of the body and its ability to do things. Marijuana affects the brain in the following areas:

Cerebral Cortex which plays a role in memory, thinking, perceptual awareness and consciousness
Hypothalamus which governs metabolic processes such as appetite
Amygdala which plays a role in emotions
Hippocampus which is key to memory storage and recall
Basal Ganglia which governs motor skills and learning
Cerebellum which governs coordination and muscle control
Brain Stem which controls many basic functions including arousing the vomiting reflex, blood pressure, heart rate and also plays a role in pain sensation, muscle tone and movement

Because marijuana plays a great role in storing, retaining and recalling memories it is proven that long term use of marijuana lowers an individual's IQ by 8 points.

11 Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder

Using more of the substance than originally planned
Being unable to quit using the substance
Experiencing relationship problems based on substance use
Spending large amounts of time seeking a substance, using the substance, or recovering from use
Reducing participation in favorite activities in favor of substance use
Being unable to keep up with daily responsibilities due to substance use
Craving the substance
Continuing to use the substance despite negative health effects
Regularly using the substance in dangerous situations (while driving or operating machinery)
Developing tolerance for the substance, as described above
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped

www.americanaddictioncenters.org

Is marijuana addicting?

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