There have been plenty of laughable stigmas concerning cannabis over the years. From making you fat, to making you lazy, cannabis has been at the blunt end of a lot of failing judgements.
In 2022, that’s changing, and with cannabis approval rates up to 91% in the country, it’s safe to say many of these stigmas are falling by the wayside where they belong.
With Louisiana’s adoption of its medical marijuana program, patients diagnosed with any condition on Louisiana’s list of approved conditions for medical marijuana can explore the benefits of cannabis legally.
Among the benefits of cannabis are some interesting finds in neuroscience concerning how cannabis works with the brain, and although the adage may have been that cannabis makes you lazy, it may turn out to make you smarter.
Medical Marijuana & Brainpower
Cannabis Affects Short-Term Memory, Temporarily
There are certainly links to cannabis causing a temporary decrease in short-term memory.
If you’ve ever forgotten where you put your car keys only to find that they’re in your pocket, then you’ve experienced this type of short-term memory lapse before.
On the long-term side of things, studies over the course of 8 years failed to find any noticeable decrease in cognitive ability due to cannabis use, and many other studies are confirming that cannabis doesn’t cause any identifiable long-term memory problems.
Cannabis & Relational Memory
On the other hand, there are some studies that suggest cannabis may actually improve certain types of cognition.
One type of cognitive ability called semantic priming, describes how your brain quickly associates “apple” with “fruit” but not “brick”. A study in 2010 determined that cannabis can cause a phenomenon called “hyper-priming”, where your relational thinking is expanded.
For example, with hyper-priming you might think “Apple” - “Seed”, or “Apple” - “Gravity” instead of just “Apple” – “Fruit” because your brain is associating a wider range of connected relationships temporarily.
This is why when you’re stoned you can sometimes have thoughts at certain levels of depth that might sound outrageous if someone were to overhear them, such as putting ketchup in your cereal because bananas taste good in cheerios and tomatoes are fruits.
Cannabis & Long-Term Brain Activity
Studies are Limited but Promising
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that is approved for Louisiana medical marijuana because cannabis has a lot of potential to help with cognitive deficiencies and problems.
One reason cannabis may be a treatment for Alzheimer’s is due to a buildup of amyloid-beta plaques causing inflammation in areas of the brain, which could turn out to be part of the way Alzheimer’s affects the brain. While beta-amyloid plaques are linked to decreasing cognitive function, cannabis may be able to prevent cells from being attacked by these plaques.
Studies have shown that cannabis can reduce inflammation levels and protect cells from these plaque buildups in cell cultures, though research is ongoing to determine how this mechanism might take place in the living brain.
Using Medical Marijuana is a Smart Choice
Patients who approach medical marijuana for the first time are looking to treat a health condition or treat symptoms of a health condition. Looking for an alternative treatment option that offers fewer side effects and greater overall effectiveness is a smart move, and that makes you smart.
While most people will refer to recreational cannabis use with anecdotal notes about laziness or idiocy, patients who are deep in the world of medical marijuana know that the science and research behind the therapeutic and medicinal values of cannabis is extensive.
While we need more time, research, and data to determine how cannabis affects the brain long-term, in truth, we know very little about how the brain manages itself altogether.
When neuroscience catches up to the technology of identifying components in the brain at a sufficient level, we’ll be able to look at exactly how cannabis alters brain chemistry and reprograms our system. Until then, we’re satisfied that cannabis won’t make you dumber or lazier, and that using medical marijuana to treat your symptoms is the right choice for many patients looking for natural relief.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Certification
The stigmas concerning medical marijuana are falling by the wayside, and 2022 is expected to be a big year for cannabis in Louisiana. Patients are registering for medical marijuana certifications faster than ever, and you can get your certification today and start getting the relief you deserve!
Beat the lines and get your medical marijuana certification in Louisiana today, and you can even get certified for medical marijuana online for ease of use and convenience.
For questions about Louisiana’s medical marijuana program, or how to become a medical marijuana patient in Louisiana, consult with one of our trusted doctors and book an online medical marijuana appointment today!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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