Cannabis and Cognitive Functioning
The debate concerning recreational and medical use of cannabis has historically been incredibly controversial and its popularity is increasing. Many claim that there are no downsides to its use, often falling back on the “alcohol is worse for you” argument, while those who oppose its use say otherwise. In 2013, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) surveyed 70,000 Americans 12 years and older and found that 7.3% of Americans regularly used marijuana in 2012, showing a rise in use over the last several years. While cannabis is still considered an illegal substance in the majority of the country, several states are beginning to shift their views, allowing for the use of medical marijuana in some and even full legal recreational use in others, such as Colorado. The main question driving this debate is how does cannabis affect the mind? Legalization very much depends on peoples’ health and safety concerns, and so in this paper I discuss cannabis and its effects on cognitive function both short- and long-term.
Cannabis is the substance originating from the plant Cannabis sativa, which can be found in regions all over the world (Solowij, 13). The plant itself contains more than 60 cannabinoid compounds, but the primary psychoactive compound is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (Gaoni & Mechoulam, 1964). Howlett and Colleagues found that cannabinoids inhibit the enzyme that synthesizes cyclic AMP in cultured nerve cells. As many receptors relay their signals to the cell interior by changing cellular cyclic AMP, this evidence suggests that cannabinoids were not just dissolving nonspecifically in membranes, but rather acting through their own receptors (Howlett et al., ...
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...d during acute cannabis intoxication and over the course of years of recreational cannabis use. While all of this may be true and support the claim that marijuana should remain illegal, the debate will continue, especially as it seems the country and other parts of the world are beginning to lean more and more towards its’ legalization.
References
Solowij et al. (2002). Cognitive Functioning of Long-term Heavy Cannabis Users Seeking Treatment. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 287, 1123-1131.
Wadsworth, E. J., Moss, S., Simpson, S., & Smith, A. (2006). Cannabis use, cognitive performance and mood in a sample of workers. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 20, 14-23.
Solowij, N. (1998). Cannabis and cognitive functioning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
*All other citations are found in the above reference*
Mekdlawit Demissie IGED 130-06 Informative Speech Outline Topic: Marijuana Speech Goal: To inform the audience about the long and short term effects of marijuana usage. Central Idea: Marijuana is the most commonly used drug amongst young people in the United States. Introduction: I. Attention getter:
Marijuana is a drug that is harmful to a person¡¯s health. It has been found to have adverse impacts on one¡¯s mental processes such as memory, attention, judgement, and problem- solving (Butcher, Mineka, Hooley, 2004, p.415). Also, marijuana can interfere with a person¡¯s ability to think rationally and logically. Thus, the lapse in judgement caused by the drug use can lead to risky sexual behaviours and this may result in increasing sexually transmitted disease such as AIDS. Moreover, the long-term use of marijuana may cause chronic breathing problems and cancer ...
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Chandler, C. (2011). The Science of ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. New York:
The human body produces naturally occurring cannabinoids. The cannabinoids are lipophilic. Delta-8 and Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been found to produce most of the psychoactive effects of marijuana (Carter et al., 2003). Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol appears to be the most abundant cannabinoid and the main source of cannabis' impact. Cannabidiol is
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Shrivastava, A., Johnston, M., & Tsuang, M. (2011). Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction. Indian journal of psychiatry, 53(3), 187.
National Institute of Mental Health. "Teen Marijuana use Worsens Depression." 2007. National Institute of Mental Health. Web. 22 March 2014.