Does Smoking Weed Kill Brain Cells?

No. This is a myth that dates back to prevalent anti-drug commercials of the 70s and 80s. Michael Verbora, a doctor at Toronto’s Cannabinoid medical clinic says that the idea that marijuana kills brain cells is a result of “people who aren’t well-educated on [the subject] who continue to propagate [a] false myth.”

Dr. Perry Solomon, the chief medical officer at HelloMD.com says “Every study shows that it does not kill brain cells.” This is further corroborated by a 2015 study at the University of Colorado, Boulder that studied brain image scans of marijuana users and non-users. After extensive comparisons, it was revealed that the brains of marijuana users did not suffer any physical changes.

Weed detractors often attempt to compare marijuana’s effects on the brain to those of alcohol and tobacco, when in reality these are false equivalents. In the case of alcohol, the body’s digestive process creates metabolites such as acetaldehyde which are highly toxic to the brain and are the primary reason for hangovers.

Marijuana, on the other hand, contains photocannabinoids, which have been shown to positively interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. CB1 cannabinoid receptors are located primarily in the brain and nervous system, while CB2 cannabinoid receptors are located in the immune system. When marijuana interacts with CB1 receptors there are shown to be a host of health benefits.

For instance, the brain’s threshold for seizure activity is increased making it more difficult for a person to have seizures. This is a huge benefit to epilepsy sufferers, many of whom can now legally receive a prescription for the drug.

There is also research to show that cannabinoids in weed protect brain cells from damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease, potentially slowing its harmful effects. It would appear the US government is sold on the brain-healing powers of marijuana, as they currently hold a patent on the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids. The details of the patent confirm their belief that cannabinoids may actually have the capability to heal brain damage.

Indeed, studies done with animal models have discovered that both THC and CBD promote neurogenesis, a bodily process whereby new cells form in the adult brain. Despite the positive brain effects listed above, experts are still cautionary. When examining the effects of Marijuana on the brain it is important to note the way one consumes it. Smoking of any kind causes the brain to lose oxygen in some areas, and when viewed under a microscope, cellular damage can become evident. Experts recommend vaporizing as a safer alternative. It is also worth noting that the effects of Marijuana on the adolescent brain are more severe than on their adult counterparts. A 2012 study in New Zealand found lower IQs on average among heavy marijuana users who began smoking as teenagers. The drug has also been shown to unearth pre-existing psychiatric conditions in adolescents and put them at greater risk for developing schizophrenia.