Is Cannabis Harming Your Brain?

New research indicates that daily marijuana use doubles the risk of heart attack. This research, highlighted by Dr. Daniel Amen, also suggests a 29% higher risk of heart attacks and a 20% higher risk of stroke for regular cannabis users. The study emphasizes that these risks apply to both smoking and edible forms of marijuana

New Research Shows How Marijuana Drops Blood Flow to the Brain. Should You Be Concerned?

Is “Harmless” Cannabis Harming Your Brain? Discover the Truth with Sanctuary Plett wellness programs run at The Center.

In recent years, the conversation around cannabis has shifted dramatically. Once a prohibited substance, medical marijuana is now legal in many places, leading to a widespread perception of its safety and even therapeutic benefits. However, at Sanctuary Plett, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness, grounded in the latest scientific understanding. And when it comes to cannabis, emerging research paints a picture far from “harmless.”

Reported rates of marijuana use have more than doubled in the past decade, increasing access for both current and potential users. Yet, the studies needed to truly prove its long-term safety and efficacy, particularly for issues like anxiety for which it’s often prescribed, are alarmingly scarce. In fact, what we do know about marijuana’s impact on brain neurophysiology predominantly points towards depressive effects.

A Wake-Up Call for Brain Health

Recent groundbreaking research, including a study just published in the prestigious Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, reveals compelling and concerning findings. This research, based on brain imaging of over 1,000 cannabis users compared to more than 25,000 non-users and healthy controls, uncovered noticeable and significant deficiencies in brain blood flow among those who used cannabis.

Even more startling, the study showed a significant lack of blood flow in the right hippocampus – the crucial area of the brain responsible for memory formation, and a region severely impacted in Alzheimer’s disease.

The Science is Clear: Marijuana and Your Brain

Our research at Sanctuary Plett, aligning with these significant findings, has consistently shown that marijuana users exhibit lower cerebral blood flow than non-users. The most predictive region distinguishing these groups? Low blood flow in the hippocampus during concentration brain SPECT imaging.

This evidence strongly suggests that marijuana use has damaging influences on the brain, particularly in regions vital for memory and learning – areas intricately linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s. While media often portrays marijuana as a benign recreational drug, our research directly challenges this notion, highlighting its potential for significant negative effects on brain function.

Further studies using perfusion imaging in marijuana users have echoed these results, showing hypo-perfusion (lower than normal blood flow) in frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes – all findings consistent with our own observations.

Your Journey to True Healing and Clarity Starts Here

At our private luxury Center for Healing, we understand that true wellness requires a deep understanding of your unique brain and body. If you or a loved one are struggling with cannabis use or its potential impact on cognitive function, our luxury inpatient treatment program offers a discreet, personalised, and scientifically-informed path to recovery and renewed clarity. Treating depression, anxiety, trauma, food disorders and multiple addictions and obsessions is no easy task. The traditional success rates are in the single figures. This is why we have learned to treat the underlying causes that drive harmful behaviour. Smoking dope daily is harmful behaviour, but just try and get an advocate of dope culture to admit that. Is Cannabis Harming Your Brain? Research provides a strong, certain and resounding yes!

We provide a tranquil, supportive inpatient healing environment in the breathtaking beauty of Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and the Garden Route, where our expert team that has worked together for 14 years can guide you towards lasting healing. Expert doctors, psychiatrists and psychotherapists and coaches that are ahead of the world leaders in many ways have learned how to treat human suffering, mental health and emotional wellness with a scalpel approach, denying that the broadsword of the medial world helps enough people in short enough periods of time. The main thing is Don’t let misconceptions about cannabis, or absolutely anything else hinder your journey to optimal brain health and a fulfilling life.

Contact the Center today to learn more about our tailored inpatient treatment options and reclaim your cognitive vitality. Want to know more about the question, Is Cannabis Harming Your Brain? Get in touch.