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Does Occasional Marijuana Smoking Impair Brain Function?
Question: Hi.. I have just got a questiom regarding marijuana smoking.. Do u think occasional ganja smoking will impair brain ability and cognitive performance? What i mean by occasional smoking over here is once or two times in a week.. Thank you
Brief Answer:
Can cause brain impairment and cognitive deficits
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Marijuana has active ingredient cannabinoids. This is a controlled substance with potential to cause craving and addiction. Most people intend to smoke occasionally but end up as chronic users. It has the potential to cause psychological craving and dependence. This leads to increase in amount of substance used and the pattern.
The long term cumulative effects include cognitive deficits and causes brain impairment.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Can cause brain impairment and cognitive deficits
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Marijuana has active ingredient cannabinoids. This is a controlled substance with potential to cause craving and addiction. Most people intend to smoke occasionally but end up as chronic users. It has the potential to cause psychological craving and dependence. This leads to increase in amount of substance used and the pattern.
The long term cumulative effects include cognitive deficits and causes brain impairment.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the answer, it really helps me and answers the question.. However, if you compare alcohol drinking with ganja smoking on occasional basis.. Which one is worse? And do u think exercising in the gym like weight lifting exercise might boost brain function and reduce the negative effects deriving from stuff like weed and alcohol? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Alcohol is said to be worse
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
Comparing alcohol and ganja consumption, it is debated but most schools of research find alcohol to be worse. The scientific reason being alcohol causes physiological and psychological dependence while ganja causes only psychological dependence. In other words, a binge drinking session can be fatal but no one ever dies from marijuana in such a manner. However its to be noted that these are two completely different substances and must be weighed on different platforms concerning safe limits for drinking alcohol in its various forms and smoking of ganja based on its purity.
Exercising in the gym can decrease the craving of harmful substances but physical exercise cannot be quantified to standard levels at which the effects of alcohol or ganja can be compensated.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Alcohol is said to be worse
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
Comparing alcohol and ganja consumption, it is debated but most schools of research find alcohol to be worse. The scientific reason being alcohol causes physiological and psychological dependence while ganja causes only psychological dependence. In other words, a binge drinking session can be fatal but no one ever dies from marijuana in such a manner. However its to be noted that these are two completely different substances and must be weighed on different platforms concerning safe limits for drinking alcohol in its various forms and smoking of ganja based on its purity.
Exercising in the gym can decrease the craving of harmful substances but physical exercise cannot be quantified to standard levels at which the effects of alcohol or ganja can be compensated.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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