Whether you’re new to the cannabis scene or have been smoking for years, one thing is clear: weed makes you feel good. But does it make you stupid?
The answer to that question is a little more complicated than it might seem. While there are studies that show links between weed and cognitive impairment, there are also plenty of other studies that show no such link. So what gives? Let’s take a look at what we know about the effects of weed on the brain and see if we can come up with some answers.
What Is Weed?
Weed is any part of the Cannabis sativa plant, including its leaves, buds, stems, seeds and resin from its flowers. The term “marijuana” refers to the dried leaves and female flower buds of this plant—the parts used for recreational purposes. The dried flowers are typically smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints or pipes made from clay or glass (also known as bongs). The leaves can also be rolled into cigars called blunts or baked into foods such as brownies or cookies known as edibles. The resin extracted from these plants can also be used in concentrated forms like hash oil that can be smoked using a vaporizer pen or dab rig made out of glass pipes.
CBD and THC are Very Different Compounds
One of the biggest misconceptions about CBD is that it’s a psychoactive compound. It’s not. CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has been shown to have anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic effects.
Another big misconception is that CBD is the same as THC, which is a psychoactive compound found in marijuana. THC produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation, while CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects at all. The two compounds are related though because they both come from the same plant—cannabis sativa L. What makes them different is how they were bred and cultivated by humans over thousands of years.
CBD was bred out of cannabis sativa L plants over thousands of years by farmers who wanted more medicinal value in their crops without getting high off them themselves (or at least without getting high as much). They did this by breeding various strains together to achieve certain desired characteristics like increased yields or higher potency based on what each farmer needed for their particular situation.
People Have Been Using Cannabis for Thousands of Years
Ancient cultures have been using cannabis for thousands of years.
Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history. It’s thought to have originated in Central Asia about 10,000 to 11,000 years ago. Some historians believe that ancient humans first used it for its medicinal benefits, but this theory is still being debated by scholars.
The earliest documentation of cannabis use comes from China, where it was first cultivated around 4,000 BCE. The Chinese used hemp fiber to make clothes and paper; they also smoked dried leaves as a recreational substance.
The ancient Egyptians and Greeks also used cannabis for medicinal purposes—but not just for pain relief! They also used it to treat insomnia and digestive problems. In fact, Egyptian doctors prescribed cannabis as an “analgesic, antispasmodic, hypnotic [and] anticonvulsant agent.”
From there it spread throughout Europe, where it was often used by farmers as a natural pesticide to protect crops against insects and fungi because of its low toxicity level (compared with other pesticides). It wasn’t until the 20th century that countries started outlawing cannabis use due to concerns about its potential negative effects on one’s mental health (which hasn’t been proven).
Even Pets Use Cannabis!
Even pets use cannabis!
It’s no secret that humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years. But did you know that animals are also benefiting from the therapeutic effects of cannabis?
We’re not just talking about veterinarians prescribing certain strains to treat pain, anxiety, or other conditions in dogs and cats. We mean that animals themselves are ingesting cannabis as a form of self-medication.
You may have heard the stories of how dogs helped their owners deal with epilepsy by eating their leftover marijuana edibles. And while those stories are pretty incredible, they’re not all that surprising if you think about it: many animals like to eat things that taste good or smell good. If a human is eating something sweet, why wouldn’t a dog want some too?
But what about cats? Cats don’t seem like the type to eat marijuana edibles, but they do have an oral fixation—that’s why we call them “lap cats”—and if there’s a tasty treat around, why wouldn’t they want some? It turns out that even cats are getting into the act!
There are plenty of people out there who use cannabis medicinally to help them sleep better at night.
THC Gummies Don’t Make You Stupid
When you hear the word “gummy,” what do you think of?
We’re guessing it’s not “intellectual powerhouse.” But if you’ve been eating THC gummies, you might want to rethink that opinion.
THC gummies are a popular way to consume THC—the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. They use gelatin as their base, so they’re often referred to as “jelly” or “jello.” These gummies are usually brightly colored and contain lots of sugar (which is why they taste so good).
But there’s something interesting about THC gummies: they can actually make you smarter!
A recent study by the University of Michigan found that people who ate THC gummies improved their performance on tests of memory and attention by 20%. It’s believed that this improvement is due to the fact that THC has neuroprotective effects, meaning it prevents the death of brain cells. The researchers also believe that people who eat THC may experience an increase in gray matter volume over time—which may be related to their improved memory and attention.
