How is your brain doing after prolonged smoking cannabis?

A recent question on Reddit caught my attention that made me wonder why mainstream science hasn’t explored how cannabis actually affects people’s brains with prolonged use. There have been a few attempts in the past – however, none of these studies paired individuals versus non-users in a clinical setting. They always do retrospective studies that never draw definitive conclusions.

The anecdotal evidence suggests that the answers are mixed. For many, however, there are no significant differences except for a few elements – many of them contribute that may just be a sign of an aging brain.

In today’s article, we’re going to get into my personal 20+ year walk with cannabis and see how my brain works today. We’ll also look at other people’s comments on Reddit and what Drugabuse.gov has to say about all of this.

What Reddit had to say …

I’ve fished out some of the more relevant comments from the article – but feel free to check it out for yourself here.

The first post came from a 61 year old man named “ChrisNEPhilly” who said;

“M / 61. I’m doing the NYT Sunday crossword in ink, motherf # @@ ker. “

This was one of the most popular posts on the thread that seemed to get a lot of respect from fellow cannabis users.

Another Redditor said;

I’m 27 and have been using a lot for almost ten years. I am quite healthy and function well. I’ll say I can’t remember many of the past decade unless I really start digging deep. I’m not sure if this is normal or not. I mean, I don’t spend a lot of time remembering the past.

When you are 27, your mind is still very young and plastic. In addition, the age between 18-28 is more or less your “stupid decade”. It’s a time when your brain is still fully developed and you are making rash and impulsive decisions, or “dumb-sh! T!” It’s a time when you usually “find yourself” and go through many stages (possibly) . Reminisce – it’s a sign of good health. To be present in the moment – to be busy with your life … that’s where you want to be. To be there at 27 means you are in a good place.

Jimifin had this to say;

Herb is stronger today than it was 30 years ago, but there are many more varieties to choose from. Half of my friends have died from alcohol or cocaine abuse, but I’m chemical free and I’m still strong.

Cannabis is certainly stronger these days, especially in a competitive cannabis market. As Jimi pointed out, he is still fine even though his friends are dying from other legal and illegal drugs. If we were to include tobacco it would probably be more.

Gastropodius interfered;

I’m working fine. Storage and processing may be a bit slower, but that is what happens with aging anyway.

As we age, our neural networks become stiffer and interlock. This is mainly due to “cerebral automation” or as we commonly refer to it as “falling into routine”. However, if you actively challenge your brain every day by breaking new ground, changing things – you can actually rejuvenate your brain.

said kebab weather;

It can certainly affect your mental health, but I suppose it will really help you ignore underlying issues in your life. This can be useful, but it can also be a trap when you are not bothered with your stuff. If you are concerned that this might be your situation, take a month off and see what happens. If you are having a hard time taking a month off, you may have some issues to work through, and that break is probably even more necessary. In general, at ~ 40 years old, I don’t use it that much anymore because I want to be present for my family and my daily chores, driving a car, etc. But when I use it I feel great and I wonder why I don’t use it more often. It’s basically frosting. If you sprinkle moldy bread with amazing frosting, it might taste okay for a while, but it’s actually bad. When you frost a great cake, it’s just great. When I was younger I was given good advice to keep a journal about how I was feeling and how things were going. That can help you keep track of whether it’s a useful tool or a crutch.

This user hits the nail on the head. What happens to most smokers, even heavy smokers during their formative years – their consumption tends to decrease over the years. This is because you just have more to do.

Then when you smoke you can enjoy the high to the full because you are doing it as a means of relaxation and enjoyment. Cannabis becomes the “icing on the cake” of life. I personally have had similar experiences with cannabis.

Reginald’s walk with grass …

I’ve been smoking weed for more than twenty years. I am neither “old” nor am I young. I am an adult who is an active member of society and whose relationship with cannabis has evolved. I no longer chase cannabis like I did when I was a teenager. I also don’t “need” it to get through every day. I use it as a relaxant to calm my creative side down and free myself from my daily / weekly duties.

When it comes to my memory, it’s pretty good. But I actively challenge my brain every day, create new things and go beyond myself. I also occasionally use psychedelics and experiment with consciousness. My mind is sharper than ever. I’ll refine it by the day I run out.

The point I want to make here is that while cannabis can have a physical impact on your physiology – it can also have coffee, sugar, and the burger you enjoy to the full. Cannabis has far less impact on cognition than lapsing into a thoughtless routine for fifteen years – living life on repetition day in, day out.

Neurologically, you wire up your brain to “become one” – you sink deep into cerebral automation and limit your ability to think outside of the neurological box you have built over time.

Challenge yourself, do things differently – for hell’s sake read a book!

If you smoke cannabis in moderation and actively use your brain as intended, rather than sneaking around social media to get your bum pissed off at the next outrage porn that appears on your feed – then your brain will be fine. The content you consume has a far more damaging impact on your perception than the foods and medications you consume.

Don’t you have anything about DrugAbuse.gov. said?

Oh yes, basically – the studies they have on cognition and its usage by the elderly are not a reproducible science. The research is not final, and essentially the vast majority of scientific work on this phenomenon is speculative at best.

To quote them directly;

Also, the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the long-term effects of marijuana on the human brain from previous studies is often limited by the fact that study participants use multiple substances and that there is often limited data on participants’ health or mental performance prior to ingestion the study. Over the next decade, the National Institutes of Health is funding the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study – a large longitudinal study that tracks a large sample of young Americans from late childhood (before they first start using drugs) through early adulthood. The study will use neuroimaging and other advanced tools to clarify exactly how and to what extent marijuana and other substances, alone or in combination, affect adolescent brain development. – The government

In the meantime, read a book – like a real one … your brain will appreciate it.

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