Mood and Cognitive Changes from Smoked Cannabis

Cannabis, specifically THC, has a fast-acting effect on mood and thinking. When inhaled, THC quickly enters the bloodstream, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, leading to euphoria and relaxation. However, at higher doses or for new users, THC can cause anxiety, paranoia, and disconnection from reality. THC also interferes with short-term memory and slows down reaction time and focus. Prolonged heavy use of THC, especially starting in adolescence, may lead to lower IQ, impaired decision-making, and increased risk of anxiety and depression. CBD, on the other hand, does not bind directly to CB1 receptors, but may influence how THC binds to them, moderating its effects. However, commercially available cannabis strains often have low levels of CBD due to breeding for high THC potency. CBD's therapeutic effects, such as anxiety and epilepsy treatment, are supported by research, but high doses are typically used in clinical studies compared All right, let's dive into something that's been buzzing around a lot lately, and that's cannabis. It's definitely a hot topic. It really is. You sent over some fascinating research on how it impacts our mood and our thinking. And I think it's safe to say there's a lot of info and maybe some misinformation. A lot of misinformation out there. Out there. So let's unpack it. Yeah, absolutely. It's a good one for a deep dive, for sure. It really is. Yeah, the more we learn about cannabis, the more we realize we don't know, which is kind of the story of this field. Right. And I was reading that our brains have these built-in cannabis-like chemicals. That's kind of blowing my mind. Yeah. Yeah, it's wild. We're pre-wired for this stuff. It is. It is pretty wild. Our brains come pre-wired for this stuff. But yeah, I think before we get too far ahead of ourselves, we got to start with the basics. And when we're talking about the effects of cannabis, we're mainly talking about THC. THC. The big cheese. The one you feel. When it comes to feeling high. Yeah. Yeah. The headliner. The headliner of the cannabis show, that's for sure. And I've always wondered how it hits you so quickly when you smoke it. It's like you light up, you inhale, and boom, your mood is different. It's fast. It's going on and on. It's pretty much a superhighway to the brain when you inhale it. Okay. It goes into your lungs. It's absorbed into the bloodstream very, very quickly, crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is sort of like the brain's security checkpoint, THC just waltzes right through. Wow. And then it binds to these things called CB1 receptors in your brain. Okay. And this whole process happens within minutes, sometimes as fast as like two to five minutes. Wow. That is a quick change. It's very fast. It's like the express train. Totally. Compared to edibles, which we'll get into. That's a whole other- That's a different journey. I mean, yeah. Yeah. Edibles is like the scenic route. It's slower, longer-lasting. I like it. I like it. Okay. So THC is in the brain. It's coupled up with these CB1 receptors. Coupled up. But what's actually happening up there to like create that shift in our mood? So think of CB1 receptors kind of like the volume knobs on your brain cells. And so THC comes in and it cranks up the volume on certain conversations that are already happening, especially the ones about mood, reward, and just chilling out. Okay. And so that's why people tend to feel euphoric, giggly, very social. Right. But you mentioned some mood tests, like I think it was the POMS. Yeah. Yeah. And does that actually back that up? Yeah. Because I've definitely been in situations and heard stories where it's kind of the opposite. Oh, yeah. It's just like happy- It's not always sunshine and rainbows with THC. Okay. And so you're right to be skeptical. And while a lot of people do report feeling more positive after smoking cannabis, THC can also crank up the volume, like I was saying, on anxiety, paranoia, can even make you feel disconnected from reality. And these kind of not-so-fun effects tend to hit harder at higher doses or for folks who are new to cannabis. Okay. So it's kind of like playing roulette with your brain chemistry a little? It can be. It can be. Everyone's brain is wired a little differently. Right. And factors like your genetics, how much you use, even your mindset going into it can all kind of impact how you respond. Interesting, because we often hear about it making you a little slower, a little foggy. What's the science behind that? Yeah. It's not just a feeling. THC actually does interfere with our brain power. Studies, for example, using memory tests like the HVLTR, which is a mouthful. It is. But essentially, it's testing your ability to remember stuff. Okay. Show that THC can really mess with your short-term memory. Like if you're trying to remember a phone number or something. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. When you're high, that's THC messing with your working memory in action. And is it just memory, or does it also impact reaction time focus? Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. There's this other test. It's called the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, or DSST. Catchy. Yeah. It's basically a measure of how quickly you can think and react. And THC tends to slow people down on this test, making it harder to focus and respond quickly, which is why driving high is such a terrible idea. Right. We'll get into that. We'll get into that. Okay. Good to know. So we've talked about the immediate effects. Yes. But what about the long game? What happens with prolonged heavy use? What does the research say about lasting impact? Right. Well, things get a little more complex. Okay. And, frankly, a bit more concerning. Yeah. Okay. Some of the studies, especially the ones looking at people who started using really heavily in their teens, suggest there may be a link between chronic THC use and lower IQ. Now, it's really tough to prove cause and effect here. Because there's so many factors. So many other factors could be at play. Right. But it's something to keep in mind, especially for younger people, young people whose brains are still under construction. Right. Right. It's adding a lot of variables to an already complicated... Exactly. And it's not just about IQ. Chronic heavy use has also been linked to problems with things like decision making, planning, and even an increased risk of developing things like anxiety or depression later in life. So that chill, anxiety-reducing effect that some people get could actually flip. It seems counterintuitive. If you're using too much for too long. Yeah. One theory is that it's like your brain gets used to having all those CB1 receptors constantly stimulated by THC. Okay. And so it tries to rebalance itself. Okay. And over time, that can kind of backfire and potentially increase your vulnerability to things like mood disorders. Wow. That's kind of scary. It is a little bit. Yeah. It's like your brain gets addicted to having the volume cranked up all the time. Right. And then when it's not, it doesn't know what to do. It throws a tantrum. Exactly. Exactly. Wow. That's a good analogy. But, you know, I think we should emphasize that everyone is different. Right. There's no one size fits all answer here. Okay. Genetics. When you started using, how much you use, these all play a role. So moderation, like with most things. Moderation is key. Yeah. You know, paying attention to your own body and how it responds. And we've really just been talking about THC here. We have. We've been THC focused. What about CBD? Yeah. It's like the other... The other side of the coin. Side of the coin, right? And it's touted as this more medicinal side of cannabis, but how does it actually work in the brain? Right. What are the effects on mood and thinking as THC? Well, that's where we get into another layer of the cannabis puzzle. Okay. And to understand CBD, you almost have to forget what you know about THC. Okay. They're both cannabinoids. Yes. Yeah. But their effects are vastly different. Okay. All right. Hit me. Yeah. What's the deal with CBD? What's the deal with CBD? It seems like it's everywhere. Everyone's talking about it. It's true. But I'm still a little fuzzy on how it works. Yeah. CBD is super interesting because the first thing to know is that unlike THC, it won't get you high. Okay. It does not directly bind to those CB1 receptors in the same way that THC does. So no couch lock. No couch lock. No... No giggling fits. Not usually. No. And that's kind of a big part of its appeal, right? Right. People are looking for the potential therapeutic benefits without the intoxicating effects. Makes sense. But if it's not binding to those CB1 receptors, what is it doing? Yeah. It's a great question. And it's one that still has researchers kind of scratching their heads a little bit. Okay. There is some evidence that CBD might act as what's called an allosteric modulator. I know that's a mouthful. It is. Essentially what that means is- It's like it does. It might change the shape of the CB1 receptor. Okay. So imagine like it's subtly influencing how that receptor is shaped, which can then in turn influence how THC binds to it. So it's like it's messing with THC a little. It's like, yeah. It's like CBD is going to the party with THC, but it's going to make sure THC doesn't like- Doesn't get out of hand. Get out of hand. Exactly. Exactly. Okay. But here's the thing. And this is where it gets even more interesting. Okay. That scenario of CBD kind of mellowing out THC's effects, it's actually not that common with the type of cannabis that most people are using these days. Really? Yeah. Because I thought a lot of strains have both THC and CBD in them. That's a very, very common misconception. And the reason for that is decades of breeding cannabis for its THC potency has unintentionally led to very, very low levels of CBD in a lot of the commercially available strains. So it's like they've bred out the CBD. They've bred it out. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. So the whole thing about like Indica's being relaxing and Sativa's being energizing- Right. Right. A lot of that is really more about user expectation than it is about actual CBD levels. Wow. My mind is blown. Okay. Yeah. So back to CBD. If it's not mainly working through these CB1 receptors- Yeah. What about all these claims of like anxiety, sleep, epilepsy, is there actual research to support that? That's the million dollar question, right? And the answer, like with most things, cannabis is complicated. Okay. We have to talk about dosage here. Okay. Because you see a lot of those clinical studies that are showing really positive effects of CBD, like the ones, for example, that are using it to treat epilepsy. Okay. They're using really, really high doses, like way higher than what you would find in your average CBD gummy or oil. So that CBD oil I'm buying at the grocery store- Yeah. Might not be doing a whole lot. You know, it might be working, but it might be working mostly through the placebo effect, which let's be honest- Right. Can be surprisingly powerful. Right. We believe what we want to believe. We do. Our brains are very powerful. Very powerful. So, yeah. You're saying that even if it's not causing a high, it could still be impacting things in the brain. Absolutely. Yeah. And one of the most exciting areas of research right now with CBD is how it interacts with what's called the adenosine system. Okay. Adenosine, is that like- Yeah. The thing in coffee? The thing in coffee that keeps you awake. Yeah. Exactly. So, caffeine blocks adenosine from binding to its receptors, which is why you feel more awake when you drink coffee. CBD seems to do kind of the opposite. Okay. Instead of blocking adenosine, it actually seems to prevent adenosine from being taken back up. So, it's increasing adenosine signaling in the brain. So, it's like the anti-caffeine. In a way, it's like the, yeah, the chill pill molecule maybe. Interesting. And it makes sense when you think about it, because adenosine is really important for regulating our sleep-wake cycles. It's one of the things that tells our body when it's time to go to sleep and when it's time to be awake. And why are they putting it in energy drinks? You've hit the nail on the head. Very confusing. Marketing. Marketing is power. Marketing is very powerful. Right. It often overshadows, unfortunately, the actual scientific understanding. For sure. Okay. So, should we all be stocking up on high-dose CBD oil for everything? Not necessarily. While the research on CBD is really promising and exciting, we need a lot more of it. Especially these large-scale, long-term studies. To really understand both the benefits and the risks. Okay. It's not a cure-all. Right. And I think approaching it with a healthy dose of skepticism is always a good idea. Right. Just because it comes from a plant, doesn't mean it's, you know ... Doesn't mean it's a miracle cure. A miracle cure. Yeah. And I think especially with something as potent as cannabis, you know, informed decision-making is key. You know, always do your research, talk to your doctor before adding anything new, especially to your wellness routine. Absolutely. Good advice. So, we've talked about THD, the highs, the lows, the long-term effects. We've talked about this mysterious CBD. Yeah. But there's this other piece we haven't really gotten into that I think causes a lot of anxiety, especially for parents, policy makers, you know? For sure. This link between cannabis use and mental health. And specifically schizophrenia. Yeah. That's a big one. And it's a really complex issue. And I think it often gets oversimplified. And a lot of misinformation around that as well. So, is there a direct link? You know, it's not, unfortunately, as simple as that. Okay. While some studies do show an association, a correlation between cannabis use, especially heavy use during adolescence, and a higher risk of later developing schizophrenia, it's very, very difficult to prove a cause and effect relationship. So, we can't definitively say cannabis causes schizophrenia. Exactly. It's much more nuanced than that. You know, genetics, environment, stress, trauma. So many factors that are all kind of intertwined. It's like trying to untangle a giant ball of yarn. Yeah. So, how should we be thinking about this link? What's the best way to understand it? One way to think about it is through what's often called the fuel-on-the-fire theory. And this suggests that for people who might already be genetically predisposed to schizophrenia, cannabis use, especially during those really critical teenage years when the brain is still developing, it could act as a trigger, it might bring on symptoms earlier, or make them more intense. So, like, if you have no family history of mental illness... Maybe the risk is lower. Potentially. Yeah. But if you do, it could be much higher. That's the general idea. Yeah. But, again, it's important to emphasize that this is still a really, really active area of research. Sure. There's a lot we don't know. Right. Not black and white at all. Not at all. Yeah. That analogy makes sense. Yeah, I think so. Especially given what we were talking about before with how THC can impact the developing brain. Right. If you have a brain that's maybe already a little bit more vulnerable, and you're exposing it to a substance that can disrupt its development, potentially that could have more significant and longer-lasting consequences. That makes sense. Now, beyond mental health, are there other risks associated with cannabis use? Yeah. I mean, as we touched on earlier, smoking cannabis carries all the same risks as smoking anything else. Right. Lung damage, respiratory problems, even an increased risk of heart issues. And I know I was reading about that ceclic vomiting syndrome. Oh, which is kind of wild. It's a strange one, isn't it? Yeah. That one's a head-scratcher for sure. Yeah. Yeah. That's, you know, thankfully not super common. Okay. But definitely a real thing. It is real. And the weirdest part is that it's often helped by a hot shower. A hot shower? Can you believe it? That is just bizarre. It's so strange. Okay. But I think it just goes to show that even with something as seemingly, like, you know... Benign. ...benign as cannabis... Yeah. ...there can be weird side effects. There can be. There can be. And especially with heavy use. Right. Prolonged use. You just don't know. Right. And speaking of unexpected downsides, I think we can't really wrap up this conversation without talking about the elephant in the room, which is... All the cannabis and driving. ...cannabis and driving. Yeah. Which, unfortunately... Which a lot of people, you know, kind of... I don't know. I don't know. They shrug it off. They shrug it off. But the science is pretty clear on this one. Cannabis, just like alcohol, it impairs your cognitive function, your reaction time, your decision-making, all of the things that are absolutely essential for safe driving. Yeah. So that whole, I drive better when I'm high. Yeah. That's a myth. It's a myth. It's a dangerous misconception. And unfortunately... Yeah. ...it's one that can have really, really serious consequences. For sure. All right. So as we kind of wrap up this deep dive into cannabis, mood, cognition, this is a complex plant. It is a complex plant. Lots of factors at play. Lots of factors. Yeah. And, you know, I think one of the things that we really need to emphasize over and over is that, you know, it affects everybody differently. And those effects can be influenced by everything from, you know, your genetic makeup to your mindset. You know, it's also important to remember that while cannabis does have, you know, therapeutic potential... Yeah. ...it also comes with risks. For sure. Especially with heavy use or prolonged use. So informed decision-making is really key here. Right. Informed decision-making. Do your research. You know, talk to your healthcare provider. Be really, really tuned in to your own body and how it's responding. Absolutely. Knowledge is power. And knowledge is power. Especially with something like this. Couldn't agree more. Yeah. This has been a really interesting deep dive. It has given me a lot to think about. Yeah. And I'm sure our listeners feel the same way, but it does leave us with this one final question. What research is still needed? What are the big unknowns? What are you curious about? Oh, there are so many questions. Right. I think one of the biggest areas is long-term studies of heavy use starting in adolescence. Okay. You know, we have some clues. We have some pieces of the puzzle. Yeah. But really getting a clear picture of how those developing brains are uniquely vulnerable- Right. ... I think is huge. Yeah. Another big one is really teasing apart the effects of all these different cannabinoids- Right. ... and how they interact with each other. Because it's not just THC and CBD. Exactly. You know, we've talked about THC and CBD, but there are over 100 other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Wow. Okay. Many of which- That we don't even know. ... we have no idea what they do. I think that's another huge area for research. Wow. And then, you know, kind of the holy grail in all of this is personalized medicine, right? Right. You know, cannabis clearly affects people differently. Yeah. And if we can start to understand those individual responses better, and maybe even predict who's going to respond well to cannabis, who might be more vulnerable to the negative effects? Right. Based on- Based on their genes- Yeah. ... or other factors. Right. We can really revolutionize how we approach cannabis use, both medically and recreationally. It's like we've just scratched the surface- Absolutely, yeah. ... of understanding how this plant works. Absolutely. And I think- Yeah. ... the more we learn, the more we realize how much we don't know. Right. And that's why it's good to be- Yeah. ... cautious, but also curious. I think that's a great way to put it. Yeah. Right. Curiosity and caution. I like that. Yeah. Well, on that note, I think this has been a fascinating deep dive. I agree. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Happy to be here. We've learned a lot. Lots to think about. About how cannabis impacts our mood, our brains, our mental health. If our listeners are walking away with one thing- Yeah. ... what would you say that is? You know, I think the biggest takeaway is that cannabis is not one size fits all. Yeah. You know, it affects everyone differently. Those effects are influenced by everything from your genes to your mindset. Right. And it's also important to remember that while cannabis does have therapeutic potential- Right. ... it also comes with risks, especially with heavy use, prolonged use. You know, so informed decision-making is key. Right. Informed decision-making. Do your research, talk to your healthcare provider, and be really, really in tune with your own body and how it's responding because everybody's different. Well said. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is power. That's what we like to say. Yes. Well, thank you again for joining us. Thanks for having me.