Marijuana Use

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the study of marijuana and its effects on memory has been characterized by a lack of standardization, which makes it difficult to find any conclusive results. The author states that research has confirmed the generalization that marijuana impedes the brain's ability to encode messages for long term memory storage; however, there were wide differences as to the amount or duration of THC (9-tetrahydrocannabinol) that was necessary to cause permanent damage. The paper relates that both early and later studies did not control for co-morbidity, which is a serious fault because marijuana is often the entrance path to more serious and more lethal compounds, such as alcohol use, cocaine, methamphetamines and other drugs.

Table of Contents:
How Marijuana Acts on the Brain
Marijuana and Memory
Marijuana and Verbal Learning
Marijuana and Visuospatial Recall
Marijuana and Long Term Memory
Marijuana Use and Consistent Long Term Retrieval
Marijuana Use and Delayed Recall
Marijuana Use on Attention and Concentration
Marijuana Use on Information Processing Speed
Marijuana Use on Semantic Retrieval
A History of Marijuana Use and Its Future
Neurotoxicity
Imaging Studies and Marijuana
Other Concerns and Developments
Cognitive Deficits and Daily Functioning
Future Research
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"These studies indicate that regardless of the time spent smoking over one's lifetime, the effects of use stop after the 28th day. Cognitive functions have the ability to heal, but it is not known it they will ever return to their levels before marijuana use began. However, this cannot be completely attributed to marijuana use and there are many variables, such as age that could account for such a decline as well. The most important thing is that improvement can be made if the person remains marijuana free for at least 28 days. This research represents a major breakthrough in understanding ..."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abrous, D., Koehl, M., and Le Moal, M. (2005). Adult Neurogenesis: From Precursors to Network and Physiology . Physiol. Rev. 85: 523-569.
• Aguado, T., Palazuelos, J., Monory, K., Stella, N., Cravatt, B., Lutz, B., Marsicano, G., Kokaia, Z., Guzman, M., and Galve-Roperh, I., (2006). The Endocannabinoid System Promotes Astroglial Differentiation by Acting on Neural Progenitor Cells the Journal of Neuroscience, February 1, 2006, 26(5):1551-1561
• Amen, D. and Waugh M. (1998) High Resolution Brain SPECT Imaging of Marijuana Smokers with AD/HD. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 30 (2): 209-213.
• Ashton, C. (2001). Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review.
• Avram H. Mack, M., Richard J., Frances, M. (2003)Substance-Related Disorders. Focus 1:125-146.

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• Analytical Essay # 134737 : "Marijuana Use"

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