The brain is the human body’s most complicated organ and, without a doubt, the most important. Without the brain, normal bodily functions would not be possible, and therefore you must keep yours in the best condition. If science is anything to go by, cannabis could be a welcome addition to the life of someone intent on maintaining good brain health.
Global members of the scientific community have long been investigating the effects of cannabis – which is renowned for being able to shift one’s perceptions, senses, and provoke feelings of creativity – in brain functioning. The natural herb is also favored as a tool for enhancing introspection.
When cannabinoids make their way to the brain, they bind to cannabinoid receptors. This results in the changing levels of neurotransmitters. Some of the major brain neurotransmitters include glutamate and GABA. In addition to neuromodulators that include (but are not limited to) chemicals like acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Is Cannabis Capable of Altering Sensory Perceptions
The human body is equipped with a complex system of endogenous lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters. This biological network center is called the “endocannabinoid system”, better known as the “ECS” for short.
Naturally-occurring chemical compounds like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), when exposed to the body, work by acting on receptors in the ECS when exposed to the body. As a direct effect of this, the ECS may trigger changes in behavior, mood, and wellbeing, or “homeostasis”.
The brain translates sensory information into a broad scope of sensations following cannabis exposure, such as louder sounds, stronger scents, brighter colors, and decadent tastes. However, you must buy Sunday Scaries CBD products online to experience such effects.
Listed below are four other ways in which the brain can benefit from the green plant:
- May Improve Creativity
Fancy experiencing one of those “Eureka!” moments? If so, consider introducing cannabis into your lifestyle.
Research indicates that creativity is linked to the brain’s frontal lobe. Since cannabis consumption maximizes cerebral blood flow (CBF) to this area of the brain, the plant could essentially stimulate this region.
It’s important to note that the level of creativity a person experiences will depend entirely on the chosen strain of cannabis and dosage, with some recommended strains being Stardawg, AK-47, and Super Silver Haze.
- May Impact Memory and Stress Resilience
Fear-related memories, such as those that become ingrained in a person’s mind after exposure to traumatic incidents, can cause years of mental stress for abuse victims and battle survivors. Luckily, cannabinoids may help to banish bad memories by promoting memory extinction. In particular, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may turn to cannabis for relief.
This study revealed that cannabis could minimize activity in the amygdala — a brain segment connected with fear responses to threats. Separate research hypothesizes that cannabinoids may help to extinguish traumatic memories.
Plus, since cannabis was proven to be a natural GABA uptake inhibitor in this 2019 study, the plant’s active compounds can produce an overabundance of GABA in the brain. Once the inhibitory neurotransmitter “GABA” attaches to GABA receptors, feelings of stress are replaced with feelings of calmness and tranquillity.
- Potential Treatment to Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can cause cognitive problems, hurt attention, concentration and focus, and overall ability to think correctly. Fortunately, cannabis could help to reverse such sensory changes. Although further research is essential to fully determine the effect(s) of cannabis on brain tumors, recent scientific discoveries portray cannabis as a helpful therapy for hard-to-treat brain cancer.
An abstract of research was published in the April 2020 edition of The FASEB Journal. The team found that CBD can hinder cancer cell growth in patients who suffer from an aggressive type of cancer called “glioblastoma”. Specifically, CBD can exert toxic effects on canine and human glioblastoma cell lines.
This astonishing revelation implies that CBD-induced cell death is portrayed by oversized, swollen intracellular vesicles. Soon after the swelling stage, the membrane expands and breaks down, a finding that remains relevant for all studied cell lines.
Researchers claim that CBD’s anti-cancer properties target membrane-bound cell organelles called “mitochondria”. Consequently, brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) were observed to struggle to increase when exposed to CBD.
- May Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Of all the brain diseases known to man, dementia is one of the most prevalent. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) accounts for 50 million global cases of dementia. The high prevalence of AD means that researchers are constantly looking for ways to treat the debilitating condition, which can control a person’s thinking skills.
Since THC and CBD are potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, these cannabinoids harbor the potential for easing brain inflammation — a significant contributor to the disease.
Existing studies and research into CBD suggest that the non-psychotropic cannabinoid can shield specific neuronal cells from pathological mechanisms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Moreover, scientists have found that CBD can advance neuronal cell growth in the hippocampus, associated with short- and long-term memory. This review of studies also demonstrated how a combination of CBD and THC could further suppress symptoms.
By now, the temptation to consider cannabis as a tool for mind enhancement may be all too much to resist. However, you must proceed with caution, particularly so if you use an existing type of medication prescribed by your medical practitioner. Arrange a visit with your doctor to reconfirm your suitability for medical cannabis before use.