Marijuana Use: Neuroscience Perspective

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After my last blog post, I was particularly curious about how marijuana use affects the brain – both structurally and behaviorally. So, I analyzed the scholarly source, “Marijuana Use: Neuroscience Perspective” by psychiatrist Lukasz M. Konopka. Konopka names cannabis as one of several psychoactive drugs that may become a gateway substance to addiction. The author ensures that marijuana does not have benign neurocognitive effects, and he refers to the prevalent assumption that it is innocuous as a “popular misconception”. The author, additionally, sheds light on the fact the humans possess endocannabinoid molecules. In layman’s terms, these are specific neurotransmitters that operate  “…in brain functions such as pain modulation, motor activity, reduced rapid eye movement, sleep, as well as mood, motivation, and higher cognitive processes.” (Konopka 281). Konopka suggests that because of this endocannabinoid system, which is indigenous to the human body, these preexisting receptors, when introduced the foreign cannabis molecules, may cause erratic behavior. Konopka also discusses the likelihood that chronic users and those prematurely introduced, will develop mood, behavioral, and motivational problems. Not to mention, as Konopka writes, increased chances of various mental illnesses, further substance abuse, and a potentially lower IQ. The article clearly tells of emotional and cognitive issues related to marijuana use, respectively worse for pre-teens, teens, and young adults. In closing, the author blames youth use on their seeking of quick solution, especially in response to “… new challenges and the responsibilities of independence [and] significant periods of stress” (Konopka 282). 

I now feel that I have clarification on the notion that marijuana does harm a teen brain, as well as a basic understanding of the specific physiological effects on the human brain. The piece I analyzed in my last post, “Implications of Marijuana Legalization for Adolescent Substance Use”, left me with a lack of concrete information, partly because it was a subsection of the article and not a focal point of Hopfer’s research. While the piece noted that “…although adolescents who use marijuana heavily demonstrate decrements compared to non-using teens, it is still unknown whether marijuana use caused or contributed to these effects.” (Hopfer 5), Konopka’s work provided information on the direct impact on brain function.  Konopka’s research elaborated on this topic, moreover allowing me to answer questions I had after reading Hopfer’s article. I now know that cumulative cognitive effects are associated with use and those effects are deleterious.

Although informative, Konopka’s research still brings about few questions. I am aware that, from my own background knowledge, the amygdala controls emotion within the brain. As I touched on in my previous post, the pre-frontal cortex, which controls logical decision making, is underdeveloped during adolescent years. Henceforth, I question: is addiction more common in adolescents because decisions are based off of feeling moreso than logic? Furthermore, as the article states, “…young adults often seek immediate solutions…” (Konopka 282), so if marijuana’s “good feeling” provides an escape from hardship, are adolescents more likely to seek it out in an attempt to avoid the negative feelings that are inherent to adolescence? I’m also curious if there is a correlation between marijuana addiction and genetics or economic status?

Works Cited

Konopka, Lukasz M. “Marijuana Use: Neuroscience Perspective.” Croatian Medical Journal 55.3 (2014): 281–283. PMC. Web. 15 Apr. 2018.

Hopfer, Christian. “Implications of Marijuana Legalization for Adolescent Substance Use.” Substance abuse : official publication of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse 35.4 (2014): 331–335. PMC. Web. 12 Apr. 2018.