CANNABIS AND THE BRAIN

Ok, so you love weed. And, as you learn about cannabis’ spiritual history all over the ancient world, its amazing medicinal effects, and how relatively safe it is despite its numerous fun qualities, you love it even more. But you’re about to love weed even more after learning the wonderful connection between cannabis and your brain!

Cannabis And The Brain

Ok, so you love weed. And, as you learn about cannabis’ spiritual history all over the ancient world, its amazing medicinal effects, and how relatively safe it is despite its numerous fun qualities, you love it even more. But you’re about to love weed even more after learning the wonderful connection between cannabis and your brain!

Alright, let's kick things off with a quick rundown on cannabis, for anyone new to loving the plant, then we’ll share some interesting facts about the cannabis X brain connection, including why people have different tolerances and why fasting is important to rebalance the system.

Ok, - let’s dive in!

Meet The Team

The two main molecules in cannabis are THC and CBD. These types of molecules are called “cannabinoids.”

There are many other “phyto”(plant based) - cannabinoids in weed, like CBN and CBG, but today we’ll go deep into the two main players.

However, it’s important here to note that there are also cannabinoids we make ourselves (aka, the runner’s high), thanks to our endo (inner) cannabinoids. The main endocannabinoid is called ‘Anandamide’ - based on the Sanskrit words for bliss. More on that below. For now, let’s look at THC and CBD in more detail…

Party Girl THC

As you probably know, THC's the one that gives you that classic 'high,' and that’s because she’s the party-starter. This is the part of cannabis that brings euphoria, excitement, and pleasure. THC can sometimes cause temporary alterations in perception, memory, and decision-making, which some people find intriguing or, in some cases, disorienting. If this is the case, know that it’s all about finding your own balance and comfort zone with dosing and method, as well as the CBD and other terpenes present in the strain. THC-anxiety can be overcome, I’ve done it myself. As noted above, our “inner THC” is named after the Sanskrit (aka, yogic) word for “bliss!”

Meet CBD, the cool and calm cousin of THC. CBD is all the rage for its numerous proven health benefits (so numerous!), - without being very mind-altering (or at all, depending on who you ask). Research is exploring its impact on a variety of conditions, from anxiety and depression to epilepsy. The two are the yin and yang of the cannabis world, with many other cannabinoids (and terpenes) affecting the experience as well.

And So Begins The Sports Analogies…

Anandamide, THC, and CBD are “keys” that fit into the lock of our body and brain called “the endocannabinoid system” (ECS). This system is the body's main messaging system, - affecting every other system, - like digestion, reproduction, sleep, stress, immunity, etc. 

Our ECS is in charge of keeping things balanced, kind of like a referee at a sports game, perhaps.

The ECS is made up of three main components: endocannabinoids, like Anandamide;  cannabinoid receptors, which are found on the surface of cells; and enzymes, which break down endocannabinoids. Let’s look at the receptors next.

In the brain, we've got CB1 and CB2 receptors, and they're like the, uh, goalposts, where the action happens. (I’m not sure how I got on this sports metaphor, but I’m going to stick with it, haha..).

So, THC (the fun cannabinoid), loooves to play with CB1 receptors in the brain, which can bring about euphoria and presence, but also hinder memory.

You might forget where you left your keys, or find yourself lost in deep philosophical thoughts about your cereal choices, but you’re feeling great about it. 

On the flip side, CBD is more of a chill player, and interacts with both CB1 and CB2, but without getting you high. 

Again, the molecules (cannabinoids) can be supplemented with, well, cannabis, or we can make more of them ourselves with stress-reduction, healthy habits, exercise, and increased Omega-3 consumption.

Why Weed Makes You Creative And Happy

Alright, let's take a closer look at how THC, the superstar of cannabis, interacts with some specific brain regions, like the prefrontal cortex. Nerd glasses on? (Mine are!)

So the part of your brain called the prefrontal cortex is especially-sensitive to THC, and when it meets up with it, it can lead to some pretty interesting experiences. Here’s why:

First, THC increases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. This surge in dopamine can contribute to an enhanced sense of happiness and well-being. The prefrontal cortex, which is involved in regulating emotions and decision-making, plays a crucial role in processing these pleasurable sensations.

Cannabis Can Also Alter The Perception Of Time, Space, And Sensory Input.

This change in perception, influenced by THC's effects on the prefrontal cortex, can lead to a more flexible and open-minded state of thinking.

Some individuals find that this altered state enhances their creativity and allows them to see problems or ideas from different angles. It can also promote free-flowing, abstract thinking, which can be beneficial for creative tasks.

Lastly, the prefrontal cortex is involved in regulating emotional responses. Cannabis may affect emotional processing, making it easier for some people to experience positive emotions like joy and happiness. Additionally, by reducing stress and anxiety, cannabis can create an emotional environment more conducive to creative and joyful thinking.

So, the plant can enhance creativity and open up new perspectives due to dopamine, a shift in perception, and uptick in mood.

Cannabis is like a muse for your brain: While it might make you feel more relaxed and euphoric, it can also stimulate innovative thinking.

Tolerance

Let's dive into cannabis tolerance, how it’s formed, and why it might be time to take that T-break.

The number of ECS receptor sites we have at birth varies from person to person. Some folks may have more of these sites, while others have fewer. 

When we think of these receptor sites as the locks that THC and CBD “keys” fit into, it makes sense that more locks mean that the effects of consuming cannabis would be milder than someone who had fewer locks.

More Ecs Receptor Sites Would Mean The Body Would Have A Greater Capacity To Process The Thc.

In addition, the more ECS receptor sites a person has, the more enzymes they are likely to have to break down THC. This means that the THC would be broken down more quickly, and the person would experience a milder effect. 

Contrary to popular belief (that even I held until recently), tolerance does not increase the number of ECS receptor sites we have. In fact, the opposite is true. Tolerance is caused by a decrease in the number of ECS receptor sites, which happens when they’ve become oversensitized to too much cannabis supplementation.

In addition to a decrease in receptor sites, too-frequent use can decrease Anandamide (inner-cannabis) production. Which means we’re getting less natural-high and turning to cannabis more, potentially an unbalanced cycle. As such, it’s crucial to keep mindful of our dose and frequency.

The Good News Is That Tolerance Is Reversible.

If you stop or reduce your consumption, your brain will gradually begin to produce more ECS receptors and inner-cannabis. This process can take several weeks, but eventually the number of receptors will return to normal.

To Summarize What We Learned Today About Cannabis And The Brain:

- You make cannabis inside your own brain (Anandamide), when you keep stress managed, do movement, and eat healthy fats.

- Cannabis can increase creativity, happiness, relaxation, and peace, along with providing anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

- Supplementing cannabis brings many benefits but can lead to a tolerance (a need for more supplementation), and a reduction in our inner-cannabinoids.

- Fasting is important, whether it’s longer fasts or shorter, more frequent breaks. Maybe you delay your first puff of the day, supplement your dabs with some tincture, or go weed-Free on Mondays. Maybe you take a full moon cycle off to see how that feels.

Conclusion: Everything In Moderation

Just like everything (even yoga), - we need to find moderation with our cannabis use. Perhaps you journal about what that looks like for you.

Remember too the importance of intentionally choosing strains, methods, and set and setting, along with dose and frequency, ~ creating your own individualized relationship to this amazing plant, so you can get the best of her medicine while keeping yourself balanced. Happy toking!