The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body | Huberman Lab Podcast #92

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.

#HubermanLab #Science #Health

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Articles
Inspired by Mary Jane? Mechanisms underlying enhanced creativity in cannabis users: https://bit.ly/3UWZzqT
Adults with a history of recreational cannabis use have altered speech production: https://bit.ly/3RDBeDS
Individual prolactin reactivity modulates response of nucleus accumbens to erotic stimuli during acute cannabis intoxication: an fMRI pilot study: https://bit.ly/3y9EcZR
Bayesian causal network modeling suggests adolescent cannabis use accelerates prefrontal cortical thinning: https://go.nature.com/3CrNToT
Association of cannabis potency with mental ill health and addiction: a systematic review: https://bit.ly/3ycIwrg

Other Links and Resources
NSDR Protocol with Dr. Huberman on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AKGrmY8OSHM

Timestamps
00:00:00 Cannabis (Marijuana)
00:04:46 New Huberman Lab Premium Membership
00:07:03 Tool: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), Sleep & Anxiety
00:10:08 Levels, Thesis, InsideTracker
00:14:01 Momentous Supplements
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
00:30:41 AG1 (Athletic Greens)
00:31:56 Naturally Occurring Receptors: Nicotinic & Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1)
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, Premium Channel, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

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Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac – https://www.blabacphoto.com