Episode
The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
2:40:39
Published: Mon Oct 03 2022
Description
In this episode, I discuss cannabis (aka marijuana), including the biological mechanisms underlying its effects on the mind and body, its known medical applications, its impact on libido, creativity, hunger, hormones and more. I also cover the known adverse health consequences of chronic and even acute (one-time) use and the factors that determine if cannabis is helpful or harmful. Additionally, I detail how the various strains of cannabis: sativa, indica and hybrid strains, can produce such divergent effects depending on the strain type, THC-to-CBD ratio, total dosage, and frequency of use. I review why cannabis can impact speech patterns and one’s propensity to develop anxiety/depression during and after use and, in some individuals, paranoia. As the legal landscape for cannabis is rapidly evolving, this episode should interest a wide audience, including former/current cannabis users, those in the medical, sports, law enforcement, and educational communities and, of course, children, teenagers, and parents. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Premium https://hubermanlab.com/premium Timestamps (00:00:00) Cannabis (Marijuana) (00:005:02) Sponsors: LMNT, Thesis, Momentous (00:07:03) Tool: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), Sleep & Anxiety (00:15:08) Cannabis Strains, Psychoactive Compounds: THC & CBD (00:19:34) Sativa vs. Indica, Stimulant vs. Relaxation Effects (00:25:55) Hybrid Cannabis Strains, Type 1, 2 & 3 Strains (00:31:56) Naturally Occurring Receptors: Nicotinic & Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1) (00:35:18) Sponsor: AG1 (00:40:35) THC, CBD vs. Endogenous Cannabinoids, Dependence (00:43:14) Endogenous Cannabinoids, Cannabinoid Receptors & Nervous System Function (00:53:07) Biological Effects of Cannabis (00:56:29) Cannabis Sativa & Subjective Effects: Mood, Stress, Alertness, Paranoia (01:04:58) Cannabis Indica & Subjective Effects, Memory, Dosage (01:09:41) Brain Areas Affected by THC & CBD, Side Effects (01:16:08) Creativity: Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking & Dopamine (01:26:41) Does Cannabis Increase Creativity? (01:35:08) Chronic Cannabis Use & Changes in Speech Patterns (01:46:46) Cannabis & Libido, Dopamine & Prolactin (01:56:55) Cannabis & Hormones: Prolactin, Testosterone, Estrogen & Fertility (02:06:53) Smoking/Vaping Tobacco or Cannabis & Negative Health Consequences (02:10:06) Avoiding Cannabis During Pregnancy/Breastfeeding, Fetal Neural Development (02:18:13) Negative Health Consequences of Cannabis, Anxiety & Depression, Tolerance (02:25:57) Cannabis Use & Adolescence/Young Adulthood, Predisposition to Psychosis (02:34:36) Adolescent Cannabis Use: Brain Development & Mental Health Disorders (02:41:44) Cannabis & Pain Management, Divergent Effects of Cannabis (02:44:54) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Huberman Lab Premium, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer
Chapters
This podcast discusses the various uses of cannabis and its specific compounds in treating certain ailments, as well as potential health hazards such as its risks to individuals with a preexisting genetic propensity for psychosis.
00:00 - 04:31 (04:31)
Summary
This podcast discusses the various uses of cannabis and its specific compounds in treating certain ailments, as well as potential health hazards such as its risks to individuals with a preexisting genetic propensity for psychosis. It also delves into the impacts of cannabis on creativity and different modes of thinking.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
This podcast delves into the different strains of cannabis plant, Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis, and how they impact the brain and body.
04:31 - 19:42 (15:11)
Summary
This podcast delves into the different strains of cannabis plant, Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis, and how they impact the brain and body. While emphasizing the presence of different psychoactive compounds within the plant, it reveals the fascinating insights that understanding cannabis can provide about brain and body.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
The endogenous cannabinoid receptors bind to components of cannabis like THC and CBD with greater affinity, and they exert a significant impact on mood and perception.
19:42 - 29:25 (09:42)
Summary
The endogenous cannabinoid receptors bind to components of cannabis like THC and CBD with greater affinity, and they exert a significant impact on mood and perception. The Sativa, Indica, and hybrid strains are named based on the plant's physical characteristics, but there are also Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 strains for these types.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
THC and CBD work by binding to the same endogenous cannabinoid receptors in the brain as endocannabinoids, which affect mood, energy, and creativity.
29:25 - 38:51 (09:25)
Summary
THC and CBD work by binding to the same endogenous cannabinoid receptors in the brain as endocannabinoids, which affect mood, energy, and creativity. The dependence on cannabis can emerge due to the activation of these receptors by an external source.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
Ingested or smoked, cannabis quickly affects the brain by accessing neurons and impacting signaling between neurons.
38:51 - 49:44 (10:53)
Summary
Ingested or smoked, cannabis quickly affects the brain by accessing neurons and impacting signaling between neurons. The chemicals released from neurons not only lead to the subjective effects of cannabis, but also have impacts on immune cells, reproductive organs, liver, digestion, and hunger.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
The CB1 receptors in the brain are impacted by THC and CBD compounds in cannabis, causing different accelerations and breaking of neural systems, depending on the type of strain ingested.
49:44 - 1:05:09 (15:24)
Summary
The CB1 receptors in the brain are impacted by THC and CBD compounds in cannabis, causing different accelerations and breaking of neural systems, depending on the type of strain ingested. This has contributed to the growth of the customized cannabis industry, but does not explain why some individuals experience stress and paranoia when using certain strains.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
A study showed that the association between cannabis and creativity is not true - it was driven by personality differences related to cannabis use rather than an actual correlation.
1:05:09 - 1:28:48 (23:39)
Summary
A study showed that the association between cannabis and creativity is not true - it was driven by personality differences related to cannabis use rather than an actual correlation. While some studies show that cannabis can increase creativity, there are other studies where it can even reduce it.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
Chronic cannabis use, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes, can lead to significant changes in speech patterns and has been studied for its potential use in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
1:28:48 - 1:40:46 (11:58)
Summary
Chronic cannabis use, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes, can lead to significant changes in speech patterns and has been studied for its potential use in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Cannabis is also the most commonly used illicit drug in the world, with approximately 4% of adults aged 15 to 64 years reporting recent use.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
A study showed that people with elevated prolactin levels under cannabis intoxication did not experience increased sexual arousal but another group that did not show elevated prolactin in response to cannabis experienced elevated levels of sexual arousal.
1:40:46 - 1:54:11 (13:24)
Summary
A study showed that people with elevated prolactin levels under cannabis intoxication did not experience increased sexual arousal but another group that did not show elevated prolactin in response to cannabis experienced elevated levels of sexual arousal.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
Inhaling smoke from cannabis or tobacco and vaping nicotine or cannabis oil are all severely detrimental to the endothelial cells of the body and can lead to elevated levels of prolactin and reduced levels of testosterone.
1:54:11 - 2:08:36 (14:25)
Summary
Inhaling smoke from cannabis or tobacco and vaping nicotine or cannabis oil are all severely detrimental to the endothelial cells of the body and can lead to elevated levels of prolactin and reduced levels of testosterone.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
Cannabis use among young adults aged 16 to 24 is increasing anxiety and depression, making them four times more likely to develop chronic major depression, while approximately 15% of pregnant women are using cannabis at some point during their pregnancy.
2:08:36 - 2:27:05 (18:29)
Summary
Cannabis use among young adults aged 16 to 24 is increasing anxiety and depression, making them four times more likely to develop chronic major depression, while approximately 15% of pregnant women are using cannabis at some point during their pregnancy.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
The increase in availability and potency of cannabis is raising concerns regarding the risk of psychosis in adolescents and young adults, with greater adoption of the drug being spurred by the positive discussion about its benefits and the perception that it's not as bad as alcohol.
2:27:05 - 2:38:45 (11:39)
Summary
The increase in availability and potency of cannabis is raising concerns regarding the risk of psychosis in adolescents and young adults, with greater adoption of the drug being spurred by the positive discussion about its benefits and the perception that it's not as bad as alcohol. The younger brain, from fetal to young adult, is particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of cannabis, including those that can develop in the long-term, such as major psychiatric disorders.
EpisodeThe Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
PodcastHuberman Lab
The Huberman Lab podcast offers a Neural Network Newsletter with show note summaries and actionable tools, as well as supplements in partnership with Momentous.
2:38:45 - 2:41:03 (02:17)
Summary
The Huberman Lab podcast offers a Neural Network Newsletter with show note summaries and actionable tools, as well as supplements in partnership with Momentous. The supplements have been discussed in previous episodes of the podcast, along with other science-based tools on Instagram and Twitter.