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Published Oct 3, 2022

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

Andrew Huberman delves into the multifaceted effects of cannabis on the brain and body, examining its impact on creativity, mental health, and adolescent development. He unpacks the complex interactions between cannabinoids, dopamine, and neural circuits, highlighting both the potential benefits and risks associated with cannabis use.
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  • Brain Development

    Cannabis use during adolescence poses significant risks to brain development. highlights that the brain continues to develop until at least age 25, with cannabis, particularly THC, disrupting crucial processes like mood regulation and executive function 1. This disruption is linked to the thinning of the prefrontal cortex, a critical area for planning and emotional control 2. Huberman emphasizes the importance of understanding these effects, stating:

    It's absolutely clear that the brain continues to develop at least until age 25, and that a huge number of systems related to mood regulation, so-called executive function, the ability to organize one's thoughts, plan and execute plans, essentially to become a functional human being, that's one portion of becoming a functional human being, but certainly an essential one.

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    The accelerated thinning of gray matter in young cannabis users underscores the need for caution during these formative years.

       

    Adolescent Risks

    The risks of cannabis use in adolescents extend beyond brain development to mental health and addiction. Huberman discusses data showing that cannabis use between ages 16 to 24 increases the likelihood of developing major depression, severe anxiety, and even psychosis later in life 3. He notes that the probability of psychosis more than doubles for those who start using cannabis as young as 14 3. This is particularly concerning given the high rates of cannabis use among young people, with many using it to self-medicate for anxiety and depression, inadvertently exacerbating these conditions. Huberman explains:

    Cannabis use, between the ages of 16 to 24, in both males and females is increasing anxiety, increasing depression in the immediate years and within the one year's time or so, so much so that people are using the cannabis ongoing in an attempt to reduce that anxiety and reduce that depression.

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    The interplay between cannabis use and mental health highlights the need for awareness and preventive measures in young populations.

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